BFAST Duathlon Race Report

My first race of the season was the Beaches Fine Arts Series Duathlon, in Nocatee, FL.  I did this race last year and it’s a part of a local series my brother and I do each year.  The series consists of one duathlon and three triathlons.  I did all four last year, but this year I will miss the last triathlon, as it is the same weekend as my brother-in-law’s wedding.

Anyway, it’s a small race of about 160 competitors, and consists of a 2 mile run, 13 mile bike ride and then another 2 mile run.  My goal coming into the race was to be under 1:10 and to be in the top half of my age group (Male 35-39).

Me at the finish line!

I completed the first 2 miles in 14:13, which is about a 7:07 min/mile pace,  (to be fair, though, I think the course was a tad shorter than 2 miles) which put me in 7^th out of 12 in my age group.  I finished the bike portion in 36:02 (21.7 mph avg) which was 3^rd in my age group.  Going into the last 2 mile run I was sitting in 4^th place in my age group and well on pace to break 1:10.  The final run didn’t go very well, however, and I stumbled along, finishing in 17:03.  That gave me a final time of 1:08:55 (I spent about a minute and a half in transitions) and placed me 6^th out of 12 in my age group. 

Overall the race was a success, in that I completed both my time and placing goals.  I was disappointed in my final run, however, and realize that I’m going to have to get stronger in the latter parts of these races.

Link to the results of the race:

http://www.altavistasports.com/results/2012%20results/beachesfineartsseriesduathlon04152012.htm

Next up is the St. Anthony’s Olympic distance triathlon in St. Petersburg, FL.  That race will be this Sunday, and I will post a preview of the race at a later time.