
Team Markham!
What a great race name, right? And so very appropriate for a race happening the first weekend into the New Year. After several weeks of indulgence back in Canada over the holidays, it was a good shock to the system to jump right into a race. While I did a lot of running and fun family fitness over the holidays, I definitely had my fair share of food and wine. I drank wine every day. A lot of it. The Mince Pie’s Revenge Duathlon was the perfect kickstart to 2017. And I even managed to go out for dinner the night before and NOT have wine with my meal! Well done, self. #Willpower.
This was the exact same race that I did last year at the Lee Valley Velopark at Olympic Park. It is on a closed, one-mile circuit and involves a 2 mile run, 10 mile bike and 1 mile run. It’s a short, fast, friendly little race. Though with a very elite competitor pool of just 89 people in this particular race, there is a very real possibility of coming in last! Next to guys on carbon fibre bikes that cost upwards of £5,000, there’s just no comparison. But whatever. I was only competing against myself (And trying desperately not to come in last!)
The first time I did this race, it was on a borrowed hybrid bike in some pretty unfortunate weather conditions. With hurricane-like winds, and a bike that moved like a tank, it felt like I was cycling into a brick wall for the whole 1:05:43 it took me to complete the race. Even with a belly still digesting all my Christmas treats, I was bound to do better this time! With a vastly superior road bike, and a few more multi-sport events under my belt, I was ready to crush it.
This time, I finished the race in 1:02:19, a vast improvement! My running was pretty consistent, but my biggest improvement was on my bike going from an average of 4 minutes/mile to around 3:35/mile. It’s amazing what a new bike will do!

NERD ALERT!
The run was generally pretty strong for me. I was very much in the middle of the pack, keeping pace with some pretty fast-looking folks. It’s a curvy little course with a couple uphills for added challenge but I didn’t lose a lot of pace from mile 1 to mile 2.

33 going on 14.
The transitions are no longer scary and distressing. This was my fifth multi-sport race so I had the whole transition thing pretty well figured out. Except that someone put THEIR bike in my spot when I finished my 10 miles so I had to sneak it in awkwardly. Boo to that person!
And the best part? I wasn’t last! In fact, if you looked at this picture of me, you might think I won the race!
In reality, I came in 76th out 89. Don’t judge! It’s a tough group!
One of the other excellent things about this race is that they have a great photographer on the course who surreptitiously takes pictures of everyone. The race organizers put them on Facebook for you to see (or download and use in your blog!).
I look generally ridiculous in every photo. The glasses + bike helmet = NERD ALERT, but at least I get a lot of cool action shots!
I tried a new hair style for this race. I realize it makes me look about 14. However, I’ve been searching for a way to wear my hair for duathlons or triathlons so that it doesn’t touch my neck, but still fits under my bike helmet. This proved to be successful from a technical perspective. Aesthetically, mmm… not so much. I’ll tackle this subject more in a future post.
Anyway, overall a fine race. A big thanks to the Trent Park RC who put on this fine event. A very excellent start to 2017. The next one is on 30 April. Maybe you’ll join me? More details here.
Good job on your first race of 2017, Miranda! Boy, I embarrassed myself last weekend when I did an indoor triathlon. I thought we had 3 minutes before the swim and was shivering, so swam out a bit, then they started yelling at me and blew the whistle for the race to start! I had to swim back to the start sheepishly, costing myself a lap, and feeling like a complete idiot!
Oh no! I hope that didn’t throw you for the rest of the race! An indoor triathlon sounds interesting though. A whole different experience than outdoors! I guess it’s a great alternative in the winter in Canada!
I still think they docked me a couple of laps for the swim, as I counted 15 and they gave me 13, or maybe I was flustered and just counted wrong! Fortunately my bike and run went better. It was 10min. swim, 30min bike and 20 min treadmill. Actually quite fun!
Ack. So annoying! Sounds like a good event overall though! Well done!