ROAD TO DUATHLON WORLD CUP : STAGE 1

Sunday was my first duathlon race this season before the ITU duathlon world cup in Penticton in august. Drafting not allowed unfortunatelly here at Sorel. My goal was to finish top 5 in my age group since usually Sorel has a competitive field.

Race plan was :
5k run  @3'40 k1 then 3'30-3'35 k2 to k5
33k bike @260-300watts
2,5k @ALL OUT, RED ZONE, MAX EFFORT or whatever expression you want!

Back from the race!
6th overall and bronze medal in my age group :)
3rd best 5k run time and 2nd best 2,5k run time overall

But lets put this into perspective...Half of the field this year, only 61 athletes vs 130 in 2015 and 145 in 2015.

I started the 5k run among top 10. After 2-3k I passed a few guys and was 5th. I ran a solid 18'07. Great news! Both transitions were fast 1'10 and 1'15. On the bike I averaged 260watts which was the lower value of the goal range. Good cadence 102 avrg. I chosed to take my road bike which will be my bike at the world cup since it'll be a drafting race (no triathlon bike allowed). So I was defintelly in a less aero position and lost some seconds/min? I was literally on my own during the last 2,5k so reaaaally hard to put myself in the red zone.

So satisfied overall about that stage 1.

I HAVE TO run under 18min the 5k on the next duathlon!