Its that time of the year where those of us who are duathletes, living in the Mideast Region, must make the pilgramage east to Ohio, to get in quality racing. So, for the last 3 weeks I have been to my "home away from home", both Northern and Southern Ohio, racing, and hoping to find good form. Thankfully, the trips proved to be worth it. I raced the Maumee "Battle of the Bay" Olympic Distance Duathlon on June 22, and with strong head and cross winds, was able to get away and stay away on the bike, netting the overall win for the amatuer open, and 3rd overall among the elites. I did still have problems on my second run, as there was no shade and the heat and sun, had me start to dehydrate bad. Fortunately, I was able to hold it together long enough to get a great finish. Plus, I added to my points with the AG win, in the Mideast Du Series, which I am hoping to win again.
From there, I decided to race, for the first time, over the 4th of July weekend. So, I headed back to Ohio, this time to the very popular and well attended Ceasar Creek Duathlon, where over 800 athletes, for the tri and du, came to race on a great course. Although marketed as an Olympic Distance race, both runs were long - the opening 5K turned out to be 3.6, and the bike, was actually 28 miles, not a 40K. And the humidity, always present in southern Ohio in the summer was in full swing. But, I battled again, and used a smart first run and solid bike to get me enough time to win the open Olympic Distance Du, and 2nd among the elites. Another great race for points, but, my body still did not respond well to the heat. According to my friend who was watching, by time I started the second loop of the second run, I turned a different color. He didn't recognize me at first, that's how much sun I got in less than 20 minutes. I was dizzy, dehydrated and exhausted when I crossed the line, but when the RD told me where I finished, I revived enough to raise my arms, and give a shout, so thankful that I was starting to put it together. Now, all I need to do is figure out my hydration, and maybe I can beat the elites. The one thing that has definitely helped - Roctane. That stuff is my "go to" nutrition on the bike, and has been critical for me in these last 2 races. It really works.
As always, I need to thank my persistent and determined coach, who, started racing again, after giving birth some 10 weeks ago, and is doing quite well. Also, I want to thank my sponsors, who, are always a huge help. In particular, I want to thank the one guy who was determined to get me aero on my bike, no matter how many fits we did - Rich Ducar of the Bike Shop in Glen Ellyn. He shook his head in frustration at me, more often than either of us would care to remember, but, he hung in there, and the fit has made all the difference.
Also, a big thanks to my friend Greg, and his Mom for coming to watch the race this past weekend. It was a huge boost, and I was really happy to see them.
