Beaver Fever

My slightly inebriated cohorts.

I would not really describe myself as a runner, at least not yet. I’ve only come to it in the past few years. In comparison to most of those I run with, I’m a complete amatuer.  But I am persistent.

I participated in the Beaver Fever Duathlon this past Sunday. A Duathlon, as the name implies, is a two discipline event, unlike a Triathlon which is three disciplines. In this case, the Duathlon was a run, bike, run event. 5k, 30k, and 5k respectively.

So I got invited to participate in this race and was even offered a bike and helmet to use, which quickly eliminated any reasonable excuses I had for not participating. Besides, how can any self respecting guy say no when a pretty girl hits you with a challenge of strength and endurance?  …maybe that’s just me.

This was my first non combative multi discipline event and I was very excited about the challenge. I had no expectations going in, other than finishing at all cost. This would also be my first race since the nasty ankle injury I suffered in the Hood to Coast relay last year.

The running portions I knew would be no problem. However, I expected that the cycling portion of the event was going to be a butt kicker since I hadn’t done any regular cycling in at least ten years. But how bad could it be right?

My plan was to take it a bit easy in the first 5k, figuring that I would need the strength for the 18 mile cycling stage. Once I survived that I would burn up whatever I had left in the final running stage. Well, it’s always nice to have a plan.

Just before the race I hopped on the bike for a quick spin to test out my loaner. I cycled the gears a “bit”.. Rule #1 Make sure you know exactly how your equipment works. Then I made a minor height adjustment to the seat… Rule #2 Make sure all of your gear is ready for use.   In short order, both of these rules came back to bite.

Coming into the transition after the first 5k I was looking forward to seeing how well I could preform on the bike. Deven aka my race recruiting bike loaning sponsor extraordinaire, was geared up and on her way like a pro. I was a little behind her but figured I would make it up with some hard work.

That plan fell apart in the first 200 meters, as I realized that my earlier test ride had only educated me on how to cycle the gears in one direction… just picture a cartoon character with their legs spinning a hundred miles per hour but going nowhere fast.

After stopping by the side of the road for three or four minutes that seemed like an eternity, I deduced the working of my derailers by a very Cat In The Hat like process of elimination “nope that didn’t work, nope, still no, no uh-uh” YAHTZEE!”

And away I went.

About a mile into the race I made a left turn onto a relatively short uphill stretch. At about the half way point I could see a very unhappy looking girl stopped on the side of the road with her bike upside down. Race or no race, I was raised to always help a lady in need. Besides, I was not expecting to finish in the money, so no real sweat off my back.

I had her chain fixed and she was on her way in about a minute, getting myself moving was another matter…

Rule number #3 Never stop your bike on an uphill climb without first shifting to the appropriate gear to resume your climb.

About the time I got my bike geared right and pumped my way to the top of the hill Murphy’s laws struck again. I attempted to settle into my seat and get a nice rhythm going for the ground I had to make up, only to be poked in the baby makers by my seat which had become loosened and now stood at full attention.

This brings us back to rule #2. It’s a rule I already new, I just failed to apply it. And every time I tried to set down I was reminded of why it’s important.

So I had to stand up for the whole 18  miles. Before it was done, there were a few more stops to offer help to other imperiled riders and see if they had the tools I needed to fix my way too friendly seat. No such luck.

To my amazement I hit the transition into the second 5k and felt really strong in spite of my unconventional ride. Then my feet hit the ground and I tried run. My butt and hamstring was so cramped up that I had about a 12 inch stride. Irresistible force meet immovable object.

Smeared with chain grease, Gu energy gel, and sweat. Butt cramped like a vice and stomach growling, I slogged through the second 5k like a geriatric speed walker.

Not exactly the triumphant return to racing that I was hoping for. But I finished, didn’t come in last, and I had a blast doing it. Can’t wait to do it again.

-Todd