Virtual Fugitive Duathlon 'race report'

[linda9389]

My first official duathlon. What fun!

Turns out very few people were as impulsive as I was just less than a week ago! Only five of us entered the sprint duathlon (which was the most heavily subscribed of all the options offered) and one of those hasn't submitted results!!!

There was a proper leaderboard which you couldn't avoid because that's where you submit your results, so I got a bit competitive 🤪. Planned out a fairly straight, flat route and set off super early (for me) to avoid having to slow too often for traffic 😀. I treated it like a proper duathlon and ran(5k), rode(20k) and ran(5k) back to back with a transition time of less than 2 minutes between each leg (which included getting back to where I needed to be for my bike given my route distances were a bit out 🙄).

I did the whole thing without breakfast as I started so early, just an energy bar before setting out and a graze flapjack on the bike.

It was a raggedy soul who struggled up the drive at the end of the 32k (I did a bit extra after to make up my 'long run' distance for this week - this activity managed to tick three boxes - duathlon, (not)parkrun (PB) and long run of HM training, efficient eh?). Of course I wasn't the fastest, but happily I wasn't the slowest.

And I really enjoyed it. Lots of new things to think about and experiment with - I can't wait to do another. Hopefully our local(ish) GoTri duathlon event will start up again soon - it's once a month and very reasonable.

Doing this as a 'virtual event' took away a lot of the anxiety I would have felt if it had been 'real'. I certainly didn't miss crowd support or the finish line (or loo queues, and I didn't have to transition in public either 🤣🤣🤣), but the rather official leader board somehow made it seem official and was plenty motivation to get me moving faster than in any previous attempt.

I'd encourage anyone who has a bike to give a Duathlon a go! Getting off the bike and immediately starting to run ... let's just say it's something everyone should experience at least once in their running career 🤣🤣🤣

Sadly, F3 were rubbish though - very little info and no response to query by email, Facebook OR mobile phone!! Hopefully they will be more organised when it comes to sending out the bling and t-shirt 🙏

[Ellesbelles85 Marathon]

Whoop whoop! Well done! Sounds super fun and a great time (in my humble opinion!) xx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Ellesbelles85]

Thanks. I loved that it was faster than my usual running and riding, even eithout proper race race magic 😊

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

You did it linda9389 , and yes it does sound fun! 🎉😀 I bet you’ll be looking out for more won’t you? Or better still, the real thing one day. 🏃‍♀️ 🚲 🏃‍♀️ Go you! 🏅

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I will/have already looked for more cheekychipmunks 😀. There's actually one at Westonbirt although I guess it will be cancelled this year 🙁

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Oh that would be a wonderful place to do it Linda. I’m sure Irishprincess would agree. I was there again for lunch and a walk yesterday and it’s truly beautiful. 😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I've never been so it would be a good exuse!

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Nice cafe too! 😋

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

One of these days we’ll bump into each other Munks. I’m the runner with the red face 🥵

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Just be careful if you ever enter that there are two Westonbirts for races. The Westonbirt Arboretum is one and then there are races, including duathlons around Westonbirt School which is opposite the Arboretum but a different location altogether! I know many have been caught out in the past 🙂

DB Max runs the school one. dbmax.co.uk/events/the-west...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

I saw both but hadn't realised that! One is rescheduled in August I think, the DB Max one is Oct. Which would you recommend? Not the DB Max one presumably?

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

The only difference will be the run, either location is lovely but the DB Max one will probably mostly be on roads and a little around the school. I’ve done loads of run races by DB Max and they organise them extremely well. I have no experience of Tough Runner. Let me know if you do one and I’ll come along and cheer you on 🎉😎🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thanks for the info. I think I'll hold fire for now and see how things go, but I'm tempted for sure 😍

[Hidden]

Goodness, golly and gosh!

This is epic...no wait...awesome! Look at you 🏆 lovely to read this and a huge well done. Keep fit and strong and good luck going forwards!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Hidden]

Haha! It's the baby of all duathlons 😆 .... except it has an extra 2.5k in the last run (many are 5, 20, 2.5) and boy did I know about the extra 2.5k 🥵

[Buddy34 Half Marathon]

Absolutely amazing Linda and you say you enjoyed it , which is a bonus.

Congratulations 🏃‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️🥳🥳👏👏👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Buddy34]

Thanks Buddy. I enjoyed the feeling of accomplishment and the mixing up of activities - the time goes very quickly and thenway my legs felt made me laugh it was so ridiculous - but the last 2 5k? I enjoyed those a bit less 😅

[PurpleFish59]

Well done! I dusted off the bike during lockdown for some cross training having not ridden it for years. Not sure I’d do an event as my very old mountain bike is probably not ideal for a duathlon, but by myself for a bit of fun I’m sure it would be ok!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to PurpleFish59]

Oh do use it! I dusted mine down 12 months ago when I was injured and couldn't run and now I love it! My old hybrid bike is now in need of new chain and gears so at the moment I'm riding my son's old MTB - we bought it when he was about 15 (he's 22 now!).

[misswobble Marathon]

Well done 💪👍😃👏👏👏

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss W - a fun change from a long run, less blisters too 😅

[misswobble Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Yes of course! Praise be 😁

[Bluebirdrunner]

F A B U L O U S .....🏃‍♀️🚴‍♀️🏃‍♀️

I must have seen this on Strava, but totally missed what you were doing Linda! What fun, and hard work, just the sort of challenge you relish I feel!😎

Need to take another look now, exciting stuff. 👌👏👏👏🌻xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

It was Sunday, I'm afraid I rather spammed Strava with all the bits. I'll quieten down again now 😅

[Bluebirdrunner in reply to linda9389]

You won't though will you!😂😆😆😏😉 💪👌 xxxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

🤨🤔😅😍

[Bluebirdrunner in reply to linda9389]

Nothing from you yet today Linda 7pm...hope all is ok xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bluebirdrunner]

All fine thank you 😘. I should have been riding but it's just too wet so I've been sofa bound, checking out shoes, bikes and events 😍😍😍. Haven't found anything though ... other than maybe a virtual stampede 🤣

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Do not quieten down linda9389 ! We love your exploits. 💪

[Bike_and_Run Half Marathon]

I have three goals in life, all of which seem like distant pipe dreams at the moment, but I really want to

1/ Run the London Marathon

2/ Cycle Lands End to John o'Groats

3/ Complete a Triathlon.

Reading your story here has made me think a duathalon could be a good starting point (I can run and cycle very well, swimming is something I haven't done properly since I sent my 100m badge as a kid)

Where did you get the details of the virtual race? And was there a fee?

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bike_and_Run]

Fabulous goals! I hate swimming so won't consider triathlon. This one popped up on Facebook. It was £20 which includes medal and tshirt (way cheaper than real events). Take a look on FindARace or LetsDoThis. I think there is a Leeds virtual one which is imminent and I seem to remember it was fairly cheap.

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bike_and_Run]

Think this is the link to the virtual Leeds event. Cost £5. festivaloftriathlon.co.uk/?...

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bike_and_Run]

I might just have entered another one runnation.co.uk/r/virtual-s...

[Bike_and_Run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Oooo, keep these links coming.

I'm currently negotiating my calendar and parenting responsibilities in order to take on the Leeds one. I figured for £5 entering is a no brainer, but then I saw their merchandise and thought "oooo, I like that Tee." I wonder if I can sneak it into the basket and just tell the missus that it came free for taking part? 🤫

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Bike_and_Run]

😀The Run Nation one on 1st Aug is £15 and includes a t-shirt 🤪

[Bike_and_Run Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

I did notice that too 😁

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Oh well done Linda! That sounds amazingly tough but fun in a masochistic way 😫

Let’s hope you get your bling and T-shirt soon 🙂

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

🤞🤞🤞 after all I earned them 😆😆😆

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Exactly!

[roseabi Ultramarathon]

This is awesome, and so efficient!!! Well done 😍😍😍

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Once upon a time, long, long ago ... efficiency was my middle name!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to linda9389]

😄😍

[Fabulous450]

Amazing Linda!! 🤩🤩🤩!! Sounds fantastic! What a brilliant experience and a great idea! Well done you! Enjoy the bling & T-shirt!! ❤️

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to Fabulous450]

Thank you 🙂. I enjoyed it so much that I've just signed up for another one 😀

[Fabulous450 in reply to linda9389]

Love that! Wooh hoo! 💥💥💥❤️

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Very well done Linda ! 😊 Yes that transition from cycling tp running again is really weird (I did a mini duathlon last year shorter than yours!)

On to the next challenge?? Xxx

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

Our local monthly one is shorter too. Hoping it will repopen soon as it only ever has 25 to 30 entrants. In the meantime I've signed up for another virtual one 😍