The Belpark Duathlons in the Phoenix Park are
always eyeballs out affairs. If you turn up expecting a cake race, you are in
for pain. Starting not far from the Papal Cross, the race course incorporates a
2.5km run loop and a 4km bike loop. To complete the race, you must bust your
lungs on a run lap, your legs on three bike laps and then drag your cramping
legs round the run loop again. You also enter transition for two frenzied
visits and have to wheel your bike to and from the mount and dismount line.
This year’s race was, as always, well
organised and Belpark are to be commended for this. They are also due immense
kudos for being able to convince the Office of Public Works to allow these
races to take place in the Phoenix Park. Access to the park for racing cannot
be taken forgranted, as Cycling Ireland has found out in recent years. That triathlon
clubs are still managing to organise races in the park is great news and
everyone taking part should bear this in mind when racing and be respectful of
this.
The race start was a little delayed because
so many people arrive and want to register on the night. It is easy to register
online and it’d make things easier for those running the race if people did
this. This way, the race would finish earlier and people wouldn’t get cold
after the race waiting for the TI Official to allow bikes to be removed from
transition. The evening was sunny, but not too warm. Decent racing conditions
for the run and the bike with dry paths and roads. It was a little windy on the
bike, though I think this added to the bike leg by taking a bit more out of
everyone’s legs before the final run.
I have done this race before, so I knew the
course, but I still did a lap of the bike and run courses to warm up. This is
not a race you can start cold and, being short, a long warm up makes no difference
to your performance. If anything, going in warm, loosened up and hydrated is
just what you need to try to avoid cramp.
After the race briefing, things moved along
quickly and suddenly the starter airhorn sounded and we were off. I tried to
run at 95%, but this plan was dismissed as I tried to hold onto the small group
of runners I found myself in. I didn’t find the early pace as extreme as I was
expecting, though
I was still breathing hard. The wind made little difference on the run. Before long transition was
in sight and no one came past me as we entered. I ran to my bike, kicked off my
runners and clipped on my helmet. I had decided to try using my road bike
My tri shoes were already on the bike meaning
a run in my socks to the mount line some 60m away. I had a few issues getting
into my shoes as they moved position during the run to the mount line, but I
was soon in the saddle with my feet snugly fastened. The first stretch was into
the wind and it was hard to put any power down. I also felt tired. It had been
a hard coup of weeks of training and races. As I pushed on the pedals my legs
and hips felt sore. As I turned down the ‘no passing’ zone (this area is
controlled to allow traffic into and out of St. Mary’s Hospital), I felt the
wind lessen and my pace quicken, then it was onto the bends and up the Khyber.
I could feel my legs warming up and my still laboured breathing beginning to
calm. Then into the second lap and I could feel my speed picking up. I hit the
Khyber and started picking up places. On the third lap I was flying and wishing
for a fourth. I had caught up almost to the front of the race and needed a bit
more road. But then it was dismount time – I clicked out of my tri shoes and
jumped off the bike in my socks. Then I was running with the bike back to
transition.
Into transition, I hung my bike, unclipped my
helmet, pulled on my runners and wished I was a faster runner. The guy in front
was only 10m ahead but I was cramping a little and could see him starting to
gather pace. I did my best to hold close to him but he slowly pulled away. I didn’t
look around to see if there was anyone behind. What’s the point? I can only run
so fast. I ran as hard as I could and held my position into transition. I felt
better at the end that I had in my previous outing at the Belpark Duathlon, but
I still needed a minute before I could stand up fully and drink some water. It doesn’t
seem possible to pack so much racing into just forty odd minutes.
The atmosphere during and after the race was
great. There were photographers taking photos, marshalls and organisers all doing
their jobs and racers still flying round the course and then coming into the
finish. There were refreshments aplenty and a coffee stand for those in need of
resuscitation. I had enjoyed the race and the atmosphere.
I took off my race gear and put on my cycling
gear for the spin home. I stayed warm as best I could, but it was a while until
I could get my bike out. Eventually those waiting for our bikes got the thumbs
up and I lifted out mine. I quickly attached lights as it would be dark when I
got home. I was expecting the 20k bike ride home to be hard with stiffening
legs, but it was ok.
I’ll be back.
