Summer Duathlon
As I've written about in previous posts, one of my biggest involvements at Dartmouth thus far has been the Club Triathlon Team. I wanted to continue engaging with endurance sports (since I ran in high school), but I also wanted to try something new… something different. Hence, I joined the Club Triathlon during my first Fall and I haven't looked back since! (For a more general overview of how to join and what the training is like, please see this post).
After leaving Hanover in the Spring, I knew I was going to continue training over the summer; I also knew, however, that I wanted an event—a goal—to look forward to. I searched for races online and considered a half-marathon, but happened to be notified of a local alternative (the Appleman Triathlon/Duathlon) by a teammate! (Shoutout to fellow triathlete and maple connoisseur Frank from Fitchburg, MA). We both registered, and amazingly, the club covered half of our entry fees! (Our fundraising process means being part of the team has many perks, including gear that can be borrowed and race subsidies such as these).
Frank and I both prepared throughout June and July by swimming, biking, and running. Though in my case, I omitted swimming—a Duathlon is a run, bike, run. Our training even led us to plan a 50-mile group ride around Amherst, MA, where I was staying for an internship.
On the day of the race, I woke up early to drive over and be ready for the 8:15 AM race start. I picked up my registration packet, set up my bike, and went for a short warm-up.
Before I knew it, I was at the start line and off we went. The first leg was a 1.4-mile run that twisted and turned through a lakeside neighborhood. I resisted the urge to go full gas and made it back to the transition area feeling a bit tired but thoroughly warmed up.
Next, I changed my running shoes for bike cleats and clomped my way to the mounting zone (riding your bike in the transition zone is a no-go). I pumped my way up to the first turn and accelerated to a maintainable speed. The bike course was 10 miles that were scenic, well-marked, and full of rolling hills. I tried to maintain a consistent tempo, powering up the climbs and increasing my gear on the descents. I did get passed by a rider on a time-trial bike about three miles in, but there wasn't much I could do against his optimized aerodynamics.
Wheeling my bike back into the transition area, I felt that my legs were more wobbly during the first few steps compared to after my first run. That "jelly" feeling continued during the first half-mile of my third and final leg (the second run leg). Eventually, I settled into my stride, though, and managed to shake off some of the pedal-pushing-induced fatigue. This last leg was 3 miles long and took me through a technical trail section with a steep climb. The final mile was somewhat downhill, and the finishing stretch came down on the beach by the swim start. I crossed the line feeling spent yet satisfied! The rest of my time was spent cheering on finishers, especially Frank, who conquered the sprint Triathlon (and completed his first open-water swim!).
In summary, the Appleman Triathlon/Duathlon was a great way to stay active in the summer and keep exploring the sport as a whole (I did end up registering for a 10k and completed some trail races, but these multi-sport events are a different kind of challenge!). I'm happy to have another race under my belt and considered the Duathlon a nice change. Frank and I also encountered two alums (an '83 and '12) who were pleased to meet us in the crowd. I plan to stay engaged with the team throughout my Sophomore year and look forward to upcoming races this Fall. The Triathlon Team is ultimately a welcoming space and offers support at all levels. If exploring these types of races or even getting started in swimming, biking, and running is of interest, then the team might be for you (to get started and keep progressing)!