Last Sunday I raced the Clermont Cool Sommer Morning’s Multisport Event competing in the sprint distance duathlon. This was my first race since the National Championship five weeks ago and eight weeks post knee injury.
I have been working hard to gain my fitness back while treating the knee injury. It’s been a steady climb back up the ladder with this being the first test of race fitness. This was a short sprint where the bike was a bit less in mileage than the typical sprint but where I was in training, it was perfectly suited for me…I lost quite a bit of my fitness…
The distances included a one mile run – 8.8 mile bike – 3.1 mile run. Once the race started I darted out behind a quite fast gentleman from the UK. He was gone right away. At the .5 mile mark u-turn, friend Sergio Myers, was right on my tail along with another competitor. When we got to around .75 miles Sergio over took me into transition. I did hit my target for the first run – win.
We quickly made our way out to the bike course. The first two miles felt terrible as they usually do in a duathlon. I was asking myself if this was the normal feel or was I really not up for the race test with my fitness for the day. Right after that I got into a good hard rhythm for about the next five miles and then I felt the fatigue creeping in. I labored for the final 1.8 miles of the bike but it was ok.
The final run felt in control but slower than I was hoping for on the day. I placed 2nd Overall. It was hot and humid but still not up to par for where I will need to be at the World Championship August 18.
The two days leading up to the race my knee didn’t feel well, taking a little step back, but during the race and post race it felt ok so that lifted my overall spirit. This race was a step forward in the right direction, a little behind where I need to be fitness wise, but within reach for Worlds. I have a big training block coming before racing again July 28 and this one will be Olympic distance, preparing for the similar distance at Worlds.
I vlogged the morning after and linking to that here if you would like to watch my recap. It was a great day racing with friends Sergio Myers and Ed Vasquez, and thank you Lauren Parrillo for cheering me on and taking photos!
– Add Health to Your Life
The Healthy Giraffe 
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