Duathlon Nationals

This past weekend found five of us TTer’s down in Richmond, Virginia for the Duathlon National Age Group Championships for both on and off road. Max Viega and Trevor MacLean competed in both days (yes they are crazy), and Eneas Freyre, David Yockelson and I competed in the on-road race on Sunday.

Because David and I got to Richmond on Friday, we were able to watch the off-road race on Saturday after pre-riding our own bike course. I have cheered on many mountain bike races, but none quite as technical, crazy, or difficult as this appeared to be. From the challenging 11k and 3.5k runs, to the multiple stairs, giant rock gardens, water filled tunnels, narrow cement bridges, and twisty-turny singletracks of the mtb course, this was one tough race! Trevor dominated the race from the start, maintaining his position near the lead the entire time. He ended up 5^th overall, and Champion of his age group! Max also had a stellar race, looking strong the whole time and finishing 10^th overall, 2^nd in his age group. At the end of the race, they were laughing about having to do it again the next day. Somehow, they both managed to not only complete the on-road race, but to race it well! Trevor was 7^th overall junior and 7^th in his age group, qualifying him for worlds! Max, in the largest and most competitive age group, placed 19^th, turning in a killer time! Well done!

So on to the rest of us waiting to race on Sunday. I had been nervous for this race for awhile, hoping that all the hard work (and killer indoor cycling sessions with Carlos) would pay off. David had been ready to race all year of course, and Eneas was calm and collected, a true professional waiting to crush that bike course again. David went off first, and after coming in from the first run in 4^th, maintained a top 10 position even with two mechanicals on the bike! He cruised in with an 8^th in his age group, qualifying for Worlds. Eneas was off next, and after a blistering run, managed to set a new bike course record, crushing his own, of course, from the previous year. Unfortunately, this being age-group nationals, there was no elite wave, so Eneas was unknowingly edged out of 2^nd place overall by a 39 year old by ONE second! But the great news is that Eneas remains the Champion of his age-group, and earned 3^rd overall, qualifying for the World Champs in September. And last but not least, I headed to the starting line, surrounded by what seemed like dozens of tall, blonde, ridiculously fit 30-34 year old women (very intimidating). But I started the run strong, and kept reminding myself to leave it all on the course. I pushed myself on the bike, and managed to have a huge grin on my face the whole time. Back and forth over bridges, past transition and the cheering crowds 6 times, through great neighborhoods- that course is FUN! Then came time for the 2^nd run, which was NOT so fun. Despite this, as I was approaching the finish, with about ¼ mile to go, I managed to pick off two girls in my age group for a 5^th place, a 14^th place overall for women! I am planning on heading to Scotland in the fall and cannot wait to be a part of such an amazing experience as the Worlds! Thank you TTer’s for pushing and supporting me all winter, and for making this journey even more enjoyable!

Comments

[Megan Kelly]

Great write up! Kristin aren't you one of those tall, blonde, ridiculous fit 30-34 year olds ;)