Actually, compared to Bracebridge the bike course, is quite tame. It's the hilly run course that got the best of me.
As the duathletes lined up for our start, I remarked that out of 10 women doing the Du, 7 were in my age group!
First run - pretty uneventful, 3 last person out of 37 for the first run, 6/7 AG... pretty much par for the course, for me!
Leaving the first transition, I lost my chain... don't know how, but I lost some time valuable there... Had a rough go the first half of the bike. My legs just felt dull, and powerless. Enjoyed the downhill going into Millbank, but in the back of my mind, I thought Holy Crap! That one is going to be a killer on the way back! My lower back started hurting about 30K in. I have been working on strengthening my back and core for the last 11 months. I really thought I had that problem licked, but obviously, I need to find a solution for that one. Popped a couple of Advil, checked my time, and noticed my Garmin wasn't working. Oh well, just pedal like He!! I thought to myself. I was passing people, but was being passed as well. Bike finally done. Got cheered into and out of transition by Fe.Sweetpea, asked about the time, and felt pretty good that my bike was about 3:10. 3rd fastest bike for my AG.
Off the bike and through transition, with a goal of ~ 2:20 for the 21.1. My left foot had no feeling, and my whole left leg felt like it was dragging. I walked way too much the first 3 K... Took a porta potty break, and the "rest" must have done some good, as the leg and foot felt better afterwards. Still, I couldn't find a pace that felt "right", and without my Garmin, I couldn't judge whether to push, or to ease up...
Decided to run the downhills and flats and walk the uphills... and even that, sometimes was too much. Ended up pretty much running 5 telephone poles and walking 1... unless there was a hill... 
I was able to pick off a few gals on the run, but unfortunately, was passed by 2 gals in my AG... 21.1 K time: 2:26:06 Ended up 5/7 AG. Total time 5:45:33
The best part of the race? Getting cheered in by some Maniacs with about 100 Metres to go!
Thanks Maniacs! I had a great weekend!
:clap:
