This year I entered the 4th Annual Doylestown Duathlon held the day before Easter. Temps were chilly at daybreak, but ended up being just right once the competition started. The race director was Todd Wiley who just happens to be my tri coach for IMLP this year as well as the Philly area TNT tri coach. He is a great guy, a super athlete and as it turns out, a wonderful race director! Melissa volunteered at the race which meant that I had to get there 2 1/2 hours early, but it also meant that we got a SWEET parking spot in a lot right next to the transition area-Thank you Melissa!!!!
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| My favorite volunteer!
The race takes place at Lake Nockamixon State Park outside of Quakertown, PA. A 5k run started things off with 5 waves beginning with the Elite and Pro Men and Women. I was off in the 4th wave and enjoyed the run which was on park roads and a paved path. The course was marked as well as any course I have ever been on and included a few short climbs and many smiling volunteers. After returning to transition, we left the park on our bikes and headed east on Rt. 563 turning around just before the intersection with Rt 412 and then west turning around just before Rt 313. Lots of good climbs and lots of opportunities to get aero! The road was open to traffic, but the shoulder was so wide and clean that it was like having our own lane. Traffic control at the turn arounds and park entrance was terrific! Did I mention Melissa was a traffic controller?? Back out onto the run course from there. The weather was beautiful and warming up just enough to enjoy being in the park on a spring day. Post race food was plentiful and good, lots of drinks and a speedy and thorough awards ceremony made for a nice day.
My time was 2:02 as follows: 5k Run #1 30:41 (9:54), 15.5 mi bike 59:19 (15.7 mph), 5k Run #2 29:09 (9:24). I didn't set any world records, but was happy with my times and that I was able to compete pain free! I finished 2nd in my AG, but first place winner Nancy Smith finished 3rd Overall Women's Masters (1:31:19) which bumped me into 1st. I also saw Pocono pal Jocelyn Shilling (1:34:01) who took home 1st Place in the Women's Grand Master's Division. Great job ladies and everyone else that competed that day!!! It was a very well run race and I really enjoyed the course. I would highly recommend it if you are looking for an early season Du to test out your fitness.
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