Laurie March

Stockton duathlon report

Had a great morning watching plenty of stags in the sprint and super sprint distances, sorry Daniel I don’t think I got a picture of you! Need to put some blue on next time mate!!

10k run: was a bit shorter than 10k, otherwise I set a massive pb... felt pretty good and confident for the bike as it was nice and still...

40k ish bike: noticed my watch was still in transition mode half way round the first lap, so just in case the Strava police are out (Lesley) I didn’t skip a lap...! Started ok and quickly descended into a battle against the wind for a second week in a row, headwind was annoying of course but the crosswind in one section was blowing me all over the place!

5k run: thought my running legs would kick in after a few minutes. They didn’t. Man I hate running off the bike. Fortunately we don’t do it very often in races...

Summary: all races should start with a swim and not a 10k run, and wind should be cancelled as part of the entry fee. Also, great support from everyone as always, gave me a boost on several occasions throughout the race!

Dave Cammiss

Stockton Duathlon Standard Report.

Woke up with a hangover. Not a great start. Didn’t feel like going all morning and if it wasn’t for the entry fee I might have stayed at home 😂

Arrived and soon bumped into a few friendly stag faces. Got myself a brew and a bite to eat. Set up looked decent (thanks to whoever booked us a space in the Presca tent - it made life easier)

After a half arsed warm up consisting of a couple of leg shakes and a 100m jog we were off.

Soon got into a canny rhythm and when the first sweat came and went I relaxed into it, but still looking forward to the bike for “a rest”......😬😂😬

About a minute for T1 (I might learn how to transition with shoes pre-clipped in one day!)

Out and away on the bike. Rude awakening within minutes, gusts of wind trying to knock me off when cornering. Route was fairly simple, managed to leave off the brakes and keep pedalling round the roundabouts but had to slow down for the 180’ hairpin turns.

Off the bike and through T2, feet were blocks of ice and legs felt heavy. Managed to not die, but felt like it!

Good support over the finish line from The Stags. Jumped on the massage table for a rub down.

All in all very pleased with the times.

Won’t be at swimming as I’m on the couch in a carb coma 😂😬😂.

Mally Kelly

Stockton Dual Athlon Report 1:18:08

Start by thanking Laurie KazMarchski for all his help today with me and especially for letting John Kelly use his bike.

First of all, took bike to Transition only to be told to take aero bars off(noooo) luckily I actually had some Alan keys, now the disaster started, never messed with a bike in my life, thought I was taking aero bars off, Whoops took handle bars off instead OMG. Was just about to throw towel in but Cole Baldam dad turned up and seen me in distress, calmed me down and we got bike sorted with 10 minutes to go, thanks again for help.
Race:
5k Run 🏃‍♂️, Stressed out so just started at back, not a bad idea but got stuck in the crowd of runners for first 4 minutes, I took over loads and no1 passed me 23:06.
Transition to bike 🚲 good 46 seconds. On Bike 🚲 felt like loads passed me but 40 minutes 50 seconds good for me so not sure if it was as actually 20k.
Transition 48 seconds.
2.5k Run 🏃‍♂️ legs first 1000m felt like Jelly then picked up the pace a bit and took over about 15 people 12:37.
Felt good at end but need more Bike 🚲 work as fitness felt good but legs aching after 10k.
Massive thanks to this amazing Hartlepool Triahletes team, brilliant support in all areas and lots of cheering me on also 🙂.

David Jefferey

Stockton Duathlon Race Report

I woke up in the morning nervous for the race. I did the sprint distance last year. I didn’t fancy the drafting so opted for the standard distance.

The 10k went really well got a PB of 54minutes. I tried to find someone to stick to and set a pace for me. I checked my watch a couple times and pace was between 8.50 and 10 minutes. On my second lap I new the pace was to fast for my legs to be any good in the bike.

Transition 1 went well even had a cheeky sit down while I put my shoes on.

I set away on the bike and could instantly feel my right calf beginning to cramp, I pushed through it stretching it when I could while fighting the wind. If it was the full 40k I would have beat another PB.

Transition 2 was ok, with feet of ice I walked my bike in only to find the two bike either side didn’t leave much space for my bike, I had to move them both over a bit before I could get mine in.

I set of on the second run and could feel my toes curling from the cramp in my calf, I tried to stretch it out but it wasn’t going away so carried on running slowly until the cramps went. I was about 1/2 way around before Laurie passed me I tried to keep up but soon lost sight of him. The guy in front of me asked if I wanted to work together to finish. Together we walked and slow jogged and crossed the line together.

Dan Meggs

Race Report: Stockton Duathlon - Sprint (race number 264)

Firstly, an apology to the Gods of Multi-sport racing - this is my fist Multi-sport race, in fact my first race of any kind in far too many years.

Woke up at 5:30am too excited to sleep, I had been looking forward to the race for weeks and it didn't disappoint.

Run 1 - overall really happy, managed a PB and felt strong. I managed to pass quite a few people including a grey-haired gentleman who happened to be carrying race number 265, one on from my own.

Transition 1 (first ever) - went well, no major problems, managed to get clipped in on the bike which was my biggest worry. Although it took at least 20 seconds to get my dam helmet fastened! Again very happy.

Bike Lap 1 - Started off brill, flying up the first hill, passed 5 - 6 people. Started to think I might be decent at this. On the way back down the hill, realised this was not the case. For the remained of the first lap I was overtaken by a steady stream of people – all different shapes and sizes passed me.

At the end of lap 1 I was starting to worry about burning out my legs when I noticed my old pal wearing race number 265 overtake. I was determined not to let him go so I hung on for the rest of the lap.

Bike Lap 2 - Got a tow off 265 for most of it until he realised what was going on and he swings his bike right out forcing me to pass. I put the hammer down and try to drop him.

I make some steady progress and by the start of the third lap I recon I have a lead of about 400 meters on him.

Bike Lap 3 - Heading down the hill after turning at splash and I get passed by a group of about 10 riders, 265 was the last one. He had used them to draft back up to me. I dug deep and managed to keep on his back wheel for the remained of the lap.

Transition 2 (second ever) - Get off the bike side by side with 265, we both run to place our bikes on the opposite sides of the rack and look up at the same time to take a glance at one another. I was still struggling with my laces when 265 takes off like a shot. This transition seems to take forever, 265 has been gone for ages. (In fact, the second transition was 1 second quicker than the first!). I start to run out of transition and almost hit the deck, my legs don’t feel like my own. I catch myself just as the wide shouts get a move on, yes thank you dear.

Run 2 – The legs and lungs are burning but the legs are starting to feel like they belong to me again. I spot 265 up ahead about 200 meters, I start to make some gain and catch him just before the first bridge. Shit, its not 265, this is another bloke with the same grey hair, 265 is about half way over the bridge.

I never did manage to catch him, we passed quite a few people on the way but by the time I got to the finish line he had vanished. Probably celebrating and dishing out the hi-fives or being sick quietly in the corner.

So, I learned three big lessons:

1. Drafting makes a huge difference and I need to hit the turbo some more.

2. Races can be won / loss in transition. Have a look at the photo so see what I mean!

3. I love it.

The race was very well organised, and I would highly recommend it. I cannot wait for the next one.

Special thanks to the supporters who kept me going, you were brill.