Wednesday, May 9, 2007

Duathlon: When Two is Less than One


A few weeks ago I signed up for a duathlon. I was very resistant to doing it, but Supersoulmate B. convinced me because the race was close to home. See, I don't normally "du" dus. Why do two sports when you can do three? Duathlons are populated by people who refuse to devote time to swim training (some duathletes CAN'T EVEN SWIM!). Sure I'd be a better runner if I could spend half my time run training. But I have a higher calling. Triathlon is a more pure, more complicated sport. Of all three disciplines in a tri, swimming requires more than brute force - it requires technique. That's why I don't like duathlons - being surrounded by so many people who have no form, no technique, just brute force. It's not inspiring.

I only came in second in this particular du. Not surprising since the winner isn't known for her prowess as a triathlete. In a tri I would kick her butt back to Weehawken or wherever she comes from. Plus, as I've noted before, I dropped my sunglasses in transition. And, I didn't taper at all for this race, so I had done one of my typical hard workouts the day before. I bet the "winner" rested on Saturday. Well, we'll see how she stacks up against me when I'm primed and tapered. Even in a duathlon (if I ever lower myself to do one again) she won't come within 5 minutes of me.

See you in the next triathlon.

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