Swim 100 metres? Check. Run 3k? Check.

[Maddee_6333]

Just taken part in a duathlon taster session that was laid on as part of a local fitness festival.

It was hard - running straight after swimming was a bit of a shock, and running on the flat of the prom makes the distances look a lot farther than they are to someone like me who is used to trail running. And my knee and heel are twinging a bit right now so I'm sitting here icing them in turn, but I did have fun.

You will be pleased to know, @Oldfloss, that I had support \o/. Husband got home a day early, and son was willing to trade an evening at home (having just got off a train from uni) for tagging along, followed by pizza 😀. They didn't manage to take pictures though as it was quite dull here and I do not do well with flashing lights. The marshals were taking photos though, so you never know...

I was in the Adult Novice wave (possibly the oldest novice there?) and the more experienced Adults' wave was after ours. I was just in the last hundred metres or so and thinking a) 'I can't speed up!' but b) 'at least I haven't been lapped by any of the fast people' when a very fit looking young man dashes past me. I genuinely thought he was already at the finish, so despite the fact he'd cheered me on as he'd passed me I muttered a quick 'not fair' under my breath and chased after him-

only to find him peeling off to do another lap. 🙈

Times will be up in the next couple of days, I'm not too bothered about them though.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Yeay.... I am hoarse.... i was shouting for you from here.. I knew you would be fine!! So glad you had real support too... You did brilliantly.... what a race!

It sounds so exciting.... where was the swim? Rest up and hopefully you will be fine tomorrow..

Well done you!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

I think I could hear you 😍

We swam in a pool which is on the sea front, so we had a 'transition' area - place to throw on your shorts, t-shirt, and shoes - in a covered area just outside the back of the building and then marshals saw us across the road and onto the prom.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Wow.... I would have enjoyed that myself!!! You did really well.... and son got his pizza ???

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

We all got pizza 😀

[Hidden]

Congrats! Very brave! How was the swim itself? Especially knowing you were going to have to run straight afterwards. Sounds like you were really reacting in the moment, going with it! I hope your knee and heel stop twinging soon. Ice sounds like a good plan, plus maybe a few days rest...

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

The swim was fine. I like swimming, and I definitely pushed myself a bit, particularly after a couple of other people passed me doing speedy front crawls - my breast stroke is no match for front crawl 😃. I reckoned that I could always catch my breath while putting my shoes and stuff on, which I sort of did. I don't really think of myself as a competitive person, but it seems that in the heat of the moment I am!

[Hidden in reply to Maddee_6333]

Same here! Where does it come from!?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

I don't know... some lizard part of our brain? I don't really do 'ologies'

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

Hehe your post brought back memories, transition wobble legs, it really is a strange feeling 😀 Well done on completing your duathon. Will you do more?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I'd have to build up my swimming, is there a Couch to 'a lot more metres' for that?

I could be tempted, but the deal breaker - as with Parkrun - would be the run route. I simply cannot do a lot on paved surfaces.

[Realfoodieclub Graduate10]

We can build up together on the quest if you like. I'm building back up to 1km swims again. What sort of distance do you need? I used the swimathon in March to build up my distance. They have one every year. It 1.5/2.5 or5km it's only £25 including charity donation and it gives you an aim with a medal 😀.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Realfoodieclub]

I don't know how I missed seeing this Realfoodieclub ! I'll have to go look at the local club's website and check the distances.

[roseabi]

Ooh, I did one of those last night too! Pretty hard wasn't it I'm doing my first triathlon in September, and after doing this I find I need to get on with my swimming practice a bit sharpish

[roseabi in reply to roseabi]

I just looked at your profile, and I can see you did the same event as me - hi there

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Hahahah! Hi there! Is it you that does Parkrun in Preston Park? I know someone in here does, but couldn't remember who.

Also did you see they did live video coverage thing on the FB page? I am - thankfully - not on it, but it was good to watch.

[roseabi in reply to Maddee_6333]

No, I usually go to Hove Prom, although ironically I am planning to go up to Preston Park this very weekend, for the first time

Have you tried parkrun yet?

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

I did one at Hove Park. A couple of ladies last night were saying that Preston Park is faster running. They think that Hove Park is 'hilly' which made me chortle a bit because I think it's pretty flat. 😉

[roseabi in reply to Maddee_6333]

I like Hove Park the best so far - yeah 'gently undulating' is more how I'd describe it But Prom is the closest to me, and it is REALLY flat

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Yes, apparently if want hilly Bevendean is the place to go. I don't think I could do 5k on the prom, my knees and heels would never forgive me.

Good luck at Preston Park this weekend!

[roseabi in reply to Maddee_6333]

Thank you! Good luck with your swimming and 10k-ing

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to roseabi]

Thank you 😀

[misswobble Graduate10]

Wow, that sounds fab! I have read about it and fancied a go 🙂

Well done you! It sounds like it was a blast. Well done too to OH for providing moral support🙂

🏃‍♀️🏊‍♀️✔️🏅

Oooh and Roseabi makes two 🤗👏

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to misswobble]

If you get a chance you should, it was fun.

[Tanethra Graduate10]

I'd love to have a go at a short sprint Duathlon but doing the next best thing which is a Virtual Sprint Tri consisting of 400m swimming, 10k Bike and a 2.5 k run in Sept.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Tanethra]

I am not a very confident bike rider (Though there was a time when I cycled a short distance every day, but that was several years ago) so possibly not an option for me.

I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[mfamilias Graduate10]

Well done! Rookie question, but do you have to run with your wet swimming gear on? I love running along the seafront, I've only done it once. Feels so much more exotic and Californian-Malibu beach style than stomping through acres of next year's plonk.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Yes. Yes you do basically put your clothes on over a wet swimsuit. And your shoes on wet feet (with or without socks) Well, I did. And so did the other novices. The people who weren't novices have clever wetsuit style cozzies that they just ran straight out onto the prom in (they definitely don't bother with socks inside their shoes either 😀)

Oh and on the advice of a friendly lady who'd done it before I put my sports bra on under my cozzie before the swim section - it worked a treat.

[mfamilias Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Ikkkkkk running in a wet bra and cossie must be really uncomfortable you are officially one badass lady.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Didn't actually notice after the first couple of hundred yards.

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to mfamilias]

Wait. You run through vineyards???

[mfamilias Graduate10 in reply to Maddee_6333]

Yep. Met Frenchman, covered self in goose fat, followed him across the Channel and now live in the back of the French beyond, but have the advantage of running through vineyards and drinking wine that costs less than petrol.

[skysue16 Graduate10]

Oh very well done! Sounds interesting race, never heard of one before. Not sure about running in a wet costume though. Maybe your doggie could join in and pull you along - that would speed up your breast stroke 🏊😉

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

They do doggy triathlons - the dogs just follow their humans into the water for the swim section though, and swim alongside as far as I can tell.

Neither of my two swim, and I am not a good enough cyclist, so we shan't be doing that 😀