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Durand Road Race I probably should not have entered this race. I am a Cat 4 cyclist right now and the fact that this was an open race meant a good number of cat 1,2, and 3 racers would take this start. Nonetheless, I wanted to see how it would go and to shake up my typical racing habits. Nothing like throwing yourself into the deep end to see how well you do, so to speak. Cliff Note version is that I didn't do too bad.
Here is a pic of the bike, ready to take on the action. I love bike pics, hope you do too! Start of the race was good, a few of the well known and established guys took the front and the pace wasn't too crazy. One guy took off and was working it hard. The start and the entire race was shaped by the strong wind blowing, like consistent 20mph wind with gusts 25+. With this wind, I think many of us watched in wonder as this rider held a small lead for the first few miles. Slowly the gap grew and I and a lot of other guys seemed to forget about him. I think he won. Good on him for a strong effort on a really tough day. For me, I was trying to hold my place in the pack for as long as possible and to then make good choices later in the race should I get dropped as is want to happen at Durand. First lap went pretty well, the uphills were hard but I was happy to see that the 35+ guys actually down shifted into the little ring for the ascents, that slight pause makes all the difference as I've never tried it before and you're hating life when trying to get yourself up 10%+ grades in the big ring. I was doing an okay job of holding position in the pack but it was hard and no one was doing anyone any favors. If you were on the wind side, you could expect to sit there for quite awhile or to make a major effort up or down the field to reposition yourself.
As we headed out onto the 2nd lap, guys started to get feisty. While there had been a few surges on the first lap, we now had a series of serious smack outs. Dudes were throwing it down and I worked my rear off to hold my place within the declining field. A small break worked clear on the 2nd or 3rd of these efforts but I didn't make it. I hung with others and continued to work. I was okay for awhile as things came back together as you can see with the photo above. I am in there, hard to see, but I'm there. Thanks to skinnyski.com for the photo. The rollers on the backside of the course were a serious lesson in pain and I got gapped here pretty well. I was not alone but no one around would do any work in a coherent manner so I shot off trying to catch the pack solo. That stunk. Really bad. At one point I had the gap down to about 10 yards but into the head wind I couldn't close it anymore. I recall uttering words that would get me disqualified had anyone heard me amidst the loud wind blowing in our faces. I kept at it and luckily enough, the pack slowed and I crawled back in as we started lap three. I even positioned myself well going into a turn so that I could have some protection. That was true until someone veered towards me in the turn and I had to slow. Slowly just a bit in the turn to avoid the guys rear wheel put a bit of a gap in front of me and that gap was my undoing. I closed it but was now in the wind and I couldn't fight my way into any place with protection. After awhile, another attack splintered the group and I was out the back. I found some other dudes who'd been dropped and we worked together some and not so much together some and I made my way through the remaining part of the 3rd lap. As we crossed the line for the last lap, they were not going so well and said I should go on. So, off I went by myself for 14 miles or so of solo wind fighting. It wasn't real fun but I got it done. I knew I had done everything I could going up the steepest hill on the course as I could feel my quads starting to cramp several inches deep. There wasn't anything else I could do on the day. In the end, the results had me 14 or so out of a field of 38 starters I believe. That's not bad. Looking at my power data after the race was encouraging as my peak hour, which started circa 40 minutes into a 2:45 or so race, I hit values I was proud of. It was a good start to the season. Next stop, duathlon nationals where my lack of run training will be on display for the world, or at least the nation I guess, to see. Should be a fun weekend nonetheless. |
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September 1 Apologies for the lack of updates, we're working on a few look Dig It site with expanded features and educational content. A short recap of the summer's accomplishments among the Dig It gang includes more PRs than I can recall, numerous world championhip qualifications in duathlon, at the Olympic and half IM distance and hopefully the full IM as well. Athletes got on the podium for the first time, won races, moved up to the elite field and no matter their place in the field just had a lot of fun using their fitness to the fullest. The fall's racing looks great as well, watch out Duathlon World Championships, Ironman Wisconsin, and races throughout the country, the Dig It crew is coming and ready to rock and have fun along the way! April 24 Duathlon Nationals weekend was a success for the Dig It gang. April 17, 18 and 19 A great start to the racing season for Dig It athletes across the country. Tony gets it done in the Big Easy at the Ironman 70.3 New Orleans, Debi grabs 5th overall woman and first master at a sprint tri in Virginia, the Minnesota gang throws down some great runs at the Trail Mix and last and certainly not least, Jill sets a PR at the Boston Marathon. Wow, this weekend would make many coaches proud for a given year and it's 3 days in April, awesome!
Coach Jason also raced, in green Nature Valley team kit, at the Durand Road Race, photo courtesy of www.skinnyski.com
April 13 Dig It now serves as an official coach/dealer for Quarq power meters. Contact Coach Jason for pricing details.
Here is the first order on Coach Jason's bike. More info to come as its get some use in the coming days.
March 27 Dig It's Lindsey has a great day in Oceanside at the California 70.3 to grab her first ever world championshis slot. Way to go, Lindsey! March 27 Coach Jason leads clinic for GearWest tri club on duathlon performance along with Kevin O'Connor. March 13-14 Coach Jason was in Texas for a USA Cycling Coaching clinic on teaching bike riding skills. It was great, watch here for an upcoming clinic on bike handling.
Above Jason poses with camp participants outside in the sun, yeah Texas! Dig It athletes Jill, Betsy and Alex ran great at a Minnesota 10 mile race, showing that hard work and consistency pay dividends. Nice running gang! March 6 Lisa made her season debut and what a debut it was, winning her AG and the overall women's race handily. Watch out for Lisa at the 70.3 distance this year, she's going to bring it! March 1 Where they was snow, we now have . . . MUD!!
February 14 Who says you have to take it easy in the winter? Tony did a great job at the Austin Marathon and set a new PR today. Nice job Tony! February 4 Coach Jason is teaching two classes at GearWest University this Sunday, one on race execution and the other on using power for multisport. January 23 The year is young but the Dig It crew is off to a great start. It was a day for winter running races and PRs as several among the Dig It gang got their year started with personal best runs today, nice job gang! January 17 Riding/racing in the middle of the night on an indoor soccer field? Really? Yeah, really!
January 13 Hey the weather outside isn't frightful, at least here in Minnesota. Who wants to ride?
December 14 Coach Jason discusses his passion for racing cyclocross despite being bad at it, at least so far.
December 3 Coach Jason reflects on training in the off season.
November 22 Dig It's Dan made his Ironman debut in Tempe at Ironman Arizona. He might have been new at the Ironman distance but Dan was fast and had a great performance. Nice job Dan! November 17 Debi finishes 2nd in the Virginia Triathlon Series, not bad given that she's over 50 racing against women who are literally half her age. You're an inspiration, keep it up! November 7 Scott has a great race at IM Florida, avoiding the sophmore jinx with a huge PR. Nice job Scott! October 17 Dig It athletes can run, and fast at that. Jill sets at major PR at the Whistlestop marathon where Sascha did a great half marathon as well. Maria ran a big PR as well at the Indianapolis Marathon. The dig it gang runs and runs fast! October 3 and 4 Minnesota cyclocross season is underway and rolling. Michael and Coach Jason got their seasons going with some fun and hard racing this weekend.
Michael in action at the Hudson CX. Photo courtesy of skinnyski.com.
Jason at the Planet Bike Orono CX race. Photo courtesy of Seth Iverson Photo.
September 26 It was a wet and tough day for everyone at the ITU World Short Course Duathlon Championships. Dig It athletes were out to play and did what they could on a challenging course in the midst of a downpour.
Debi is among this group of fast ladies before the skys opened again.
Here Justin Hurd closes in on the transition after a speedy first run. September 13 Wow, what a day for the Dig It gang. Debi was 12th overall, and 3rd woman, at a sprint tri in Virginia. Maria set a new half marathon PR in Chicago, and Forrest set a 5K PR by over a minute in Kentucky. Oh and then there was Ironman Wisconsin which was the scene of outstanding performances by Andrea, Lindsey and Henry. A successful debut and 2 PRs made it quite the day in Madison. Jason was there to cheer and take it all in.
Here Coach Jason hangs with Andrea after the race.
August 30 Keith completes his first Ironman at IM Kentucky today. On a great weather day, Keith executed a great race making all his time goals. Way to go Keith!
Josh shows his endurnace with a strong run at the Salsa 2-4, yes the 2 and 4 refer to how many hours it lasts. August 16 Dan rocks the fastest run and 2nd overall today at the Northeast Maryland Triathlon, the regional championship. Nice job Dan!
July 19 The Dig It gang was throwing down some great performances today. At the Heart of the Lakes Triathlon Jill and Cliff achieved their season goals of making their age group podium, Jill was 2nd and Cliff 3rd on a great Minnesota summer day. At the Door County half IM, Andrea and Lindsey rocked it and showed they are on the way to great races at IM Wisconsin.
Jill and Cliff show off the hardware. May 31 Dig It's friend Justin Hurd captures the US National Long Course Duathlon Championship today in California at the World's Toughest. National Champ baby, that's a good thing to call one's self!
Photo courtesy of Auburn Events May 23-24 What a weekend for the Dig It gang. Excellent performances at the Apple Duathlon in Minnesota.
Here Cliff speeds towards the finish at the Apple Duathlon.
April 26 Coach Jason was in Richmond for USA Triathlon's Duathlon National Championships. It was a hot weekend but the Dig It gang did a great job.
Here Coach Jason poses with Forrest after his race. Forrest got the luck to start at 11:30 on a day that got to well over 90 degrees. Did I mention his race was hot? October 11, 2008 Justin Hurd, who Coach Jason advises, shows shows his strength at IM Hawaii. On a challenging day, for the big island no less, Justin did great in his first attempt at the World Championships as a pro. September 28, 2008 Jason in racing mode at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Italy. It was a fun day of action.
Here the bike awaiting its trusted rider.
September 27, 2008 Jason serves as Assistant Coach with the elite athletes of Team USA at the ITU World Duathlon Championships in Rimini, Italy. It was a fun day filled with great competition for Team USA.
Here is the women's team poses for photos immediately after their finish.
October 6 Coach Jason wins the inaugural Kickin' Leaves Duathlon in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. The new race had a small field but a great course. Hope everyone can make it there next year.
Jason poses with bike and trophy at home after the race.
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