Linda Hall: Duathlon fun as smoke clears

Linda Hall

As you can see by the photo, my first attempt at a duathlon did not get off to a brilliant start.

The night before (Saturday) I had an early night in anticipation for the Tri HB Friendly Dental Duathlon Revolution Bikes - Series 1 Duathlon 10am race start.

I was up early, had breakfast, a banana and yoghurt while Mr Neat taunted me with his bacon, egg and cheese on toast.

What was left of my top after I put it on the top of the stove.

I read the paper and tried not to think about it (the bacon or the duathlon).

Then it was time to get ready. The hot water cupboard in our home is in the kitchen, right next to the stove,

Yep, you guessed it. I pulled out my top and put it on the stove top while I rummaged around for some socks.

What's that smell, I thought. Oh no!

The pictured top was the only long-sleeved sports top I owned. It was only about three weeks old and more importantly it was a great fit. It didn't cling to body parts that weren't there five years ago.

As you can imagine I got no sympathy from Mr Neat. His words: "Well you should have had all of this organised last night."

What to do? I rummaged in my drawers, but found nothing that would keep me warm and, on the other hand, not make me too hot.

I finally made a decision but I wasn't happy.

It was nearly time to leave and then I had a brilliant idea. I'd stop at Rebel Sport and see if I could get a similar top.

I rushed in, grabbed the first long-sleeved top I could find in my size which happened to be bright pink and had a price tag that I baulked at but met my needs. And I thought no one will miss me in this - I wanted to be seen when I was cycling on the road. I was really nervous about that part of the duathlon. I was doing the short one, 2km run, 11km bike and 2km run.

I won't take you through the event blow by blow but I will say that the wind made the bike leg tough. However, I really enjoyed it. It wasn't scary at all riding on the road. Cars were courteous and cyclists were briefed to stay left at all times, which believe me I did.

And of course I was highly visible in my bright pink top.

Getting off the bike and running was a whole other story. I shuffled rather than ran and puffed like a steam engine for half of the run and then I seemed to come right. I finished in under an hour and guess what? I won my section ... and guess what? I was the only one in the section.

I loved every minute of it. But the best part was meeting new people. Especially the two women who were also doing their first duathlon. One had her mother and partner with her and we chatted for ages. She said she decided to do one "because I was putting on weight". For me it was hearing a colleague talk about the club. All of us were proud of our efforts and promised we would be back for the next one in June.

I was really impressed with the way this event was organised. They were precise in their instructions with safety for, not only the competitors, but the public, of the utmost importance.

Can't wait until the next one.

-Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.