Way back in December I signed up for the 2008 Virginia Duathlon with every intention of getting bike fit and ready to return to the local multi-sport scene. Despite several enjoyable indoor bike workouts in January, I got carried away with marathon training (which I have to be honest is, and always will be, my favorite sport), and the bike training kind of fizzled out into nothing.
A few weeks ago I asked the folks at Kale Running who manage the Virginia Duathlon if there was any chance I could switch my individual entry to a team/relay entry. Thankfully they agreed (thanks Team Kale!), and the hunt was on for a biker who wasn’t already entered for the race and was willing to drive the 60 some miles to the Chippokes Plantation State Park where the duathlon is being held this year.
I sent an email to my #1 choice (who turned out to be on vacation for a week), and luckily he was free the weekend of the race and agreed to join me on the team. Chris is a great guy and happens to be a pretty impressive biker too, so we should make a strong team and the race should be a lot of fun.
Now I’m looking forward to the duathlon once again, and don’t have to worry about my total lack of bike fitness. Maybe I’ll get back to the multi-sport one day, but for now I’m enjoying my running too much to devote the necessary time to improve my swimming and biking skills.
Hi Steve,
Great plan! It was fortunate that you were able to change your race entry (to team/relay) & also find someone willing to do the biking portion of the event with you. Your team effort is definitely a good example of when the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. 😉 And this way, you can readjust accordingly & just focus on your running performance. And who knows, maybe next year, you can change it up by swapping relay events with your newfound teammate. 😉
Good luck with your race training!
-C
Also, I see the Rock ‘N’ Roll Marathon is on your race calendar. Have you run this race before, or is it your first time around? I know someone who ran it in San Diego & LOVED it. It’s supposed to be really fun & inspirational. Nothing like being motivated by great music & people cheering everywhere!
Yes, fortunate indeed (I guess it helps if you know the race directors!)
This year will be Rock ‘n’ Roll #7 for me (I think). I know I’ve only missed one of them and we were flying back from the UK at the time. Great event, lots of fun and one that we sign up well in advance for…