Yorkey's Duathlon Race Report

Last Saturday afternoon at roughly 4:30 in the afternoon just over 12 hours before race start I decided to do the Yorkey's Knob Duathlon after it changed from a triathlon due to stingers in the water. 

I wasn't really keen to race and I woke up wanting to go back to sleep. I got up anyway and decided to give it my best shot knowing that I could potentially get the win. The race start was delayed and that stuffed up warm up which wasn't much as it was. As the start hooter went off I pushed the first 5km as hard as could trying to race as close as I could to my PB time. By the turn around at half way I felt flat and as though I had already used up my energy. I kept pushing knowing that my mate was on my heels and thankfully I was able to break him with about 2km to go. I started to ease up coming into transition knowing that I had a lead. 

As I got onto the bike I got comfortable and for the first time took the first 5km easy. On the way back to the half way turn around I was passed by one of cairns' best iron distance athletes and I knew that if I wanted to win I was going to have to go with him. From this point the pace picked up and we increased our lead over the other competitors. We got off the bike with an average of 37km/h and I knew that the next run was going to be a really quick 2.5km if I wanted to win.

I left transition with Sandy hot on my heels and my leg turn over was super quick. As I got to the turn around I had increased my lead but I was struggling and the pace of the bike ride was starting to catch up. With 500m to go I started to cough and I felt like vomiting but nothing was coming up. I knew that the race was almost over and once I reached the last water station I knew I had the win. I ran up the finish chute and felt so relieved that it was over. As I crossed the line I almost fell over but I was filled with joy that I was able to take my second open win in a matter of weeks. 

I ended up running a 30 second PB in the first 5km to run 17:34. It was such as great race and it gave me confidence going into states which I am currently at. I just qualified for the final in the 800m and 1500m which is on tomorrow and Sunday. Times have been fantastic and an update of that will be up during the next week.