What I learned during my first duathlon
“If you don’t have time to do it right, you must have time to do it over.” At least that is what legendary basketball coach John Wooden said. It’s a great reminder that if you don’t do something right the first time then ultimately it will cost you more time in the long run. Saving time is great, at least it is when it doesn’t cost you anything, but when it leads to mistakes it’s not saving you anything at all, if anything, maybe it costs you.
I could have used Wooden’s wise words a few weeks back when attempting my first sprint distance duathlon. Now in the interest of transparency, I’m not a complete rookie in multisport events. I’ve done a couple of very average sprint distance triathlons and an even more average half ironman a few years back, but this was my first duathlon. I’d been training recently with a view may be completing another 70.3 but also aware that I’ve been injured a lot lately.
In my typical fashion, I’d left the actual signing up part late. How late? So late that I had to contact the organizers and ask if I could still register. Thankfully I could. With my registration sorted it was time to get everything together for the race, bike tires pumped, pedals swapped, HR strap packed and helmet ready to go. I’m constantly paranoid that I’m going to forget something and turn up to race with no shoes or something and let’s be honest, it wouldn’t be the first time. This was a lesson I learned a while ago. Be prepared, check everything and check it again and mentally run through what you need.
I arrived at the start line, there was not a massive turnout but those that were there looked fast and dedicated to me. It suddenly dawns on me that it’s probably only the hard-core people that turn up in Winter! That said, the sun was shining but it was cold, winter winds still doing their bit to keep the chill in the air. I set up my transition area, ditched the jumper and lined up at the start line waiting for the signal.
The run pace starts hot, way too hot I think to myself as the group takes off on the first lap. I try to hold a hard pace without falling into the trap of chasing the few that were scorching off ahead. 2km into the run I notice the footsteps behind me have fallen away and I’m comfortably in no man’s land with a few ahead and some behind.
On to the bike leg, from previous experience, I make sure I put my cycling shoes on before hopping on the bike. My last attempt to put them on whilst riding nearly ended up with me landing face-first on the tarmac. The ride was strong, I was feeling good and moving at a decent pace with only a couple of stray dogs and people wandering onto the course. One by one the kilometers tick by and I’ve overtaken a few people but it’s hard to tell where I am compared to everyone else due to the short and circular track.
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I complete my last lap and pull into transition, I’m first into transition! FIRST! This has never happened to me in my life, usually, I pull in to see racks full of bikes showing me how many people got there first. This is the highlight of my multisport career I think to myself as I pull the cycling shoes off and change back to my runners. This is also the moment I’m about to learn a valuable lesson. As Wooden would say, do it right or have time to do it over.
As I sit there in all my glory lacing up my runners, I see the 2nd place rider stopping on the track so what do I do? I rush the tying of my laces. So much so that I completely pull the loop out and have to start again. 2nd place is now racking his bike as I make my second attempt at tying my laces, still fumbling over them and here is where I compound my mistake of rushing the first time. I pull it semi-tight, get up and take off on my run holding on to my narrow lead. A lead that lasts no more than 200m as my lace predictably comes loose. Do it right or do it over.
I watch the runner go by as I frantically tie my laces and begin to give chase, he’s holding a couple of meters on me as we pass the 1km mark and my haste comes back to haunt me once more as the laces again come free. Lesson learned? Actually no, over the 2.5km run leg I had to stop 4 times losing rhythm and places each time. Do it right or do it over.
Ultimately my continued rushing failed me, not only did I have to do it over, I had to do it over and over until I did it right. Doing it quickly didn’t save me any time at all, it ultimately cost me way more time than if had just slowed things down and just done it properly. Would I have won? Probably not because first place was a far stronger runner than me, but I’d have at least been up there not in the middle of the pack.
So, what were the lessons I’ve learned that you can use to avoid any hiccups in your next race?
- Be prepared, triple check that you have everything you need.
- Mentally rehearse, run through what will happen first, and then second. Each step of the way. It helps visualize.
- Do it right or do it over. Make sure you’re deliberate and controlled in your decisions, tie your laces, put your goggles on properly, and make sure that the helmet clasp is closed. Do things right the first time.
That last one goes beyond competing in some small local race, it applies to work, family and to life. Don’t rush through life or that task. Do it right and with purpose once so you don’t have to redo it. And don’t forget, there may not always be a chance to put it right.
