Its good to be back competing but also good to get this first race out of the way as two lots of running is not my favourite. This weekend just gone was the National Elite Duathlon Championships and once again held at Prestwold Hall near Loughborough. Although chilly, it was a nice sunny day and good for racing on which is a quick circuit and this years race field was almost twice the size of last years and it included quite a few new faces so I knew there was a challenge on my hands.
The first run started out at a quick pace and there seemed to be more of a challenge for the eventual winner than last year as 10 runners went under 8 mins (only 3 did last year) for the first 2.5km and the first transition saw a lead pack of 6 go off on the bike leg. At this point and despite chipping over 30 seconds off the run I found myself off the initial pace and behind the 3 lead packs, after catching the first of these I worked with them until we caught the 2nd group, and although this group was a little disjointed we did close a little on the leading pack, although no where near enough to have an impact on the final run leg and overall results.
Another small improvement on the final run brought me up from around 20th at T1 to 11th at the finish, an improvement of 5 places on last year and 2.5 minutes quicker as well. So overall I am happy with the days racing as it sets me up well for the triathlon races ahead. Mind you if I am to achieve what I hope to achieve in this years Super Series there are a few new lads on the scene that are not going to make it easy, so I am going to have to work hard and prepare well if I am to improve my overall series standing.
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