This past season, one of my clients, Mike Lies, qualified for and raced at Duathlon Worlds. It was very inspiring to be part of his preparations for the race! Mike was kind enough to write up a race report, but unfortunately the past several weeks have been so busy I wasn’t able to post it right away. However, with the New Year upon us, I think Mike’s story is very appropriate… a rich source of racing insights and inspiration. As you think ahead to the 2012 season, consider all the ways that endurance sports can enrich your life… becoming and staying strong and healthy, the blissful feeling you get after finishing a challenging workout or race, and sharing adventures with the favorite people in your life. For 2012, think big, set your goals, make a plan, and train with passion!

Hello all,

I am giving a short race report from my recent participation at the Duathlon World Championships September 25, 2011 in Gijon, Spain. Although I consider myself a tri-athlete, my running and biking exceed my swimming; hence my best sport ends up as the Duathlon. The “standard” distance, which it is called in Europe, is our international distance, 10k run – 40k bike – 5k run. This year Gijon also fielded a sprint event being 5k – 20k – 2.5k. You must qualify for Team USA and then Worlds at the Duathlon National Championships in April 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. Currently that is the only way to qualify. Qualifications go to the top 18 in age groups with roll downs to 24th place. I had a fifth place finish in Phoenix, it was a course favorable to my skill levels.

Participating at any national and world event will raise your personal bar for performance. I find with that percentage of the field performing at a higher level to be very motivating both in raising your expectations and knowing next year what the standard will be. Every workout becomes more focused.

Anyway, I did train for Du Worlds as my “A” race for the year. Kathy Cunningham is my coach. I have been following her programs and workout plans since November of 2010. I am 57 year old and have a long racing career as a runner. Trying to balance out all three disciplines has been a challenge for me so I did benefit immensely from someone else writing my programs. The overall knowledge of prioritizing the training, balancing out workouts for rest/recovery vs. work days and then a more objective approach to my schedule, instead of me doing my favorite workouts all the time I now did the workouts I needed to show up my weaknesses in preparation for Worlds. I do love to workout anyway and believe in sticking to my program and sort of out working anyone else. I will say I do have time to train now, as my children are raised and I don’t work the hours I used to.

But WORLDS! My wife and I do love to travel, which I think is important to go overseas for any event. This is my third straight worlds – The first was last year, I went to Scotland and then Concord, North Carolina in 2009. There is a lot of excitement at any National or Worlds events but traveling over seas presents some interesting logistics. Everyone deals with shipping your bike vs., packing it and traveling with you on the plane (this is recommended), the time zone adjustments, food differences, stresses of being in another country with language and cultural barriers, etc. etc. It is also pricey to take your show overseas, and unforeseen issues do pop up. This year many athletes flew into Madrid with the idea of taking the trains on into Gijon. Unfortunately, the train station in Madrid would not let anyone on with their bike cases. A duathlete without a bike is well…not going to do well. All kinds of creative transportation methods did allow everyone to make it on to Gijon. Team USA did provide a bus from Madrid, but many people elected to book their own transportation and logistics throwing in some personal extended travel before or after. You can do it all on your own and even stay wherever you want, but using the Host Hotels and other Team USA amenities is more simple. Plus you meet and hang out with other Team USA age groups and pros. Having done three now we are friends with many other repeat Team USA competitors. Often the more experienced world participants will often do more on their own; rent a house, car, etc. I find sticking close to Team USA very helpful; they carry 2 bike mechanics, doctors and travel hosts. Having your cycling needs met and getting your bike fine tuned after assembly is very comforting and rewarding on race day.

Okay sorry this has gotten so long. But there is a lot of logistics and preparation for an overseas event!

Worlds itself is a phenomenal experience. Everyone there can run and bike. I believe 36 countries did attend. There is a pro field and a para-athlete field. The pros and par athletes competed on Saturday, so it was accessible to watch them. The pro-event is a draft legal, they do a shorter course with multiple laps and the par athletes have about 5 divisions, although they all go off at once. My event was on Sunday. We had about a 10am start on the track inside the stadium, Las Mestas Sports Stadium. The sprint went off about 8.

I guess I would choose to summarize DuWorlds for you, rather than the details. The environment from a competitive standpoint is great. You do have the best in the world there going for a podium spot. I don’t feel nervous about that, just try to embrace that.

Most people there are used to winning easily at home, but at Worlds, at least for me, there are people there that will beat me no matter what, so I try to just do my best, have a smooth race and soak it in. What can I say…it is very cool to line up at a world event! I finished 15th in my age bracket, did have a good day, and did enjoy the moment. Most people over there do seem to enjoy it, and most are very friendly and open. Worlds doesn’t seem to have as many uptight and stressed out athletes as the local races sometimes. Maybe to be at Worlds it helps to have the mental part more under control. Everyone there takes it serious, but the attitude seems to be, lets compete hard then enjoy the party…Oh yes Worlds always has a nice international post race party that you should plan to attend. This year we went to an apple orchard/cider-ale (like beer substitute) distillery. Tables were lined with Spanish ethnic foods, lots of music, local Spaniards taught us how to properly drink their cider ale, you chug it. I even got to sort of shoot/pour this drink from a large storage barrel. We spent every evening eating, drinking and mixing with the other athletes and spouses and I did trade my Team USA shirt for a youth African jersey…this is a traditional “flea market” event.

In summary, if you can qualify, have the funds and like to travel – go to a world event in order to take in the event and the culture!

Mike Lies