An interesting event, it's not the first time I've done a duathlon/triathlon in a relay team, but it's been a while.
Our first runner didn't have a good day so I started off at a good deficit. Once on the road the ramp on rt 104 before the first turn was packed with riders stuggling to get up the ramp and get into their shoes. I didn't have that problem because I chose to trash my cleats running on the pavement. It's one rough bridge to go over. During the first 2-3 miles I was passing duathletes, triathletes, and other relays teams left and right. Then things started to thin out and look more like a normal time trial would. To the gentleman who swung out in front of me then proceeded to yell at me when I flew by, we stay to the right of that little yellow line and watch our line of travel.
As the race progressed I realized the course wasn't as easy as I though it was driving over it the day before. Maybe it had something do with the very stiff headwind on the way out for so early in the morning. The back portion of the course, for going through a more residential area was quite fun. The tight turns allowed me to gap the newly passed riders very quickly. Only 1 rider ont he course posed any sort of problem. We went back n' forth about 3 times. Then I decided enough was enough and dropped him for good, I guess 29 on the flats was too much for him. The worst part was after making the final turn onto the highway section of rt 104. I felt like my legs wouldn't turn any more, might have had something to do with doing 29-32 over the last 2 miles. Got down to the transition area and remembered you have to run through it after dismounting...yuck.
Kudos to the organizer for having the course well marshalled and warning painted on the really rough bridge. Thanks to the runners for aiding in quick transitions by moving the chips.
Only 1 corporate challenge person beat me, the only person to go under 40 minutes. One other duathlete beat me, but seeing as how he's the reigning nathional champion, I didn't feel too bad. The only other person with a faster bike split was the eventual winner of the triathlon competition.
