My partner decided that we should enter the club duathlon last Sunday. I was dubious. I’m still new to all this running malarkey and possibly the least competitive person I know. Still 2 miles round a flat field followed by a rest while he cycled 12 followed by another 2 miles shouldn’t be beyond my capabilities.
You’ll be fine, they said. It’s a giggle, they said. No one takes it seriously.
Things I learned:
1. I learned that runners who belong to running clubs tell whopping great lies. TO YOUR FACE! Casually lurking at the start line, the hooter goes and they’re off like greyhounds! Even the “it’s a giggle” brigade. Looking at Strava after the event, I realise I was sucked into Mo Farah territory, even maintaining a 6:45/mile (admittedly for only about 20 yards) in a bid not to be left behind completely. Too rich to my blood, I had to slow down, still managing a respectable (for me) 19 minute time for 2 miles. I was 2nd to last. Well 3rd if you count the dnf who twisted her ankle.
2. I learned that my partner is an amazing cyclist. He caught up with most of the others, achieving 1st in the bike leg arriving 3rd back to the park.
3. I learned that there is a streak of competitiveness in me. Although I knew there were fast runners who were going to overtake me, I refused to let the world go by and finished in 20 minutes. We came half way down the table over all.
4. I learned that young adolescents who are built like whippets can beat the hell out of grown men when their Dad’s do the bike part and they do the run.
5. I learned that team duathlons are a ridiculous way to spend cold misty Sunday mornings at 8am, I don’t see any fun, giggles or enjoyment in it. Or at least I didnt at the start of run 2.
6. I learned that I’ll probably sign up for the next one in September! Have a good week everyone!😂😊🏃♀️🚲🏃♀️🏆🥇
Written by
Katiepops
Graduate10
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The more I run with this club, the less grumbling I’m doing! I try to do the hills rather than slow to a walk the minute I see the incline! Slow improvements?!😊
Running with the club is interesting. I get it now. I’m in the yellow group. There’s a traffic light system - Super greens, greens, yellow, orange, red and red beginners. Pace generally slowing down as you go through the colours. As yellows we did a flat road run on Monday 5.5 miles at 10:21/mi. Last night we did XC 5.5 miles at 12/mi (up hills and through woods). It’s been a busy running week though, so now I have 2 rest days before Parkrun! So something else I’ve learned - company is sometimes lovely!🏃♀️😊
Started the training already! I’m new to running clubs, and didn’t really get their purpose apart from the team colour at events thing. I’m now going out on 2 club runs a week. Much more interesting with people showing you different routes. 😊🏃♀️
I loved it at the end! That lovely bit after you know you’ve really tried hard. The best bit was that because the cyclists all come in at different times, the second run has a staggered start. You get to leave the field with your head held high as some people are still coming in behind you, even though as a team they may’ve done better overall. 😊
It’s short for a duathlon, and it is meant to be a bit of fun. I’ve now got 5 or so months of summer running to sharpen up my act. Unfortunately so has the competition! 😧
It’s nice and short you see. My partner is a nutjob ultra marathoner and Iron man enthusiast. To him it wasn’t worth getting out of bed for, so he only did it to involve me in the club events - I’m a new member! By September I’ll be more confident as I’m now running with them twice a week and know some people!🙃😃
I know. My partner, who is an ultra marathoner/iron man nutjob, looks at the competition and makes pronouncements (quietly) “oh, she’s a plodder, you can beat her”, “just stick to your own pace and you’ll be fine”, “she” is warming up for London in a couple of weeks and if I stuck to my own pace, I’d be finishing with the youth football team training around me! - They had the park after us! 🤦♀️🏃♀️😊
I really didn’t. I’m the only one of my c25k group still going. They’re restarting after Easter with me as a leader! GSR in October! Portsmouth here I come!😊
They were honest last night! The leader of the XC group started off with “I’m not going to sugar coat this, it’s uphill for a mile and a half. But there’s fish and chips at the end. You need to earn it!” I may prefer a little white lie!!😂
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I think it is amazing how much we do learn on this running lark.. about ourselves and others.
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