The Mile High Duathlon Series

The Mile-high duathlon series consists of three duathlons near the Denver area. Even though the promotional materials include pictures of mountains they are flat. Placing in the top five for each age group earns points for the series. My account of the 2006 series follows. 

Barkin’ Dog 

May 13 at Cherry Creek State Park. I always look forward to this race as I can minimize any lackluster performance as being early season. The park is a new venue and very scenic even though it is surrounded by the metro area. I drive by a number of deer trying to find the start.   

 The first 5k run went well. Our heat was mostly 40 and over men. Due to a rushed set-up (and early season) I had forgotten to open the straps on my bike shoes. Didn’t make for a great transition. 

 The 30k bike (later noted as 29k) was really, really fast. In the flat straight section across the dam maybe 20k into the bike, I moved toward the front of our group.  Once back into the curves around the Res, my low back started reminding me why I should get off my mountain bike and onto the roads a little sooner in the spring. 

On to the second 5k run, forget what I said about these races being flat.  OK they are small hills even by Nebraska standards but still hurt after the bike ride. I managed to finish third in my age group behind two freshly minted 45 year olds. Good for 6 points.        

Big Sky 

June 10 at Bennett. The short race of the series has a 16 mile bike between two 2.5 mile runs. Each run is two laps around the edge of this small town featuring a dirt section, which often as not, is muddy. Nice and dry this year. The freshly minted 45 olds from the prior race are absent. 

Dean and Kevin, my age-group competitors made the first run really, really unpleasant. At least I opened the straps on my bike shoes. 

I spent some time on the aero-bars since the last race. I had a great ride catching Kevin, then Dean. I tried to put as much time on them as I could, hoping it would be enough. I ran scared the second run but thankfully didn’t have to treat the spectators to a sprint finish. First in 45-49. 10 points. Makes up for missing the Norfolk Triathlon. 

Cabbage Head 

July 8 at Wiggins. I lead our age-group for the series. Kevin, four points back is the most likely spoiler. It is cool and overcast. It is raining in the mountains where my friend is  riding the Triple By-Pass. We start outside of a small town church and head out past corn, wheat and hay fields. Ironically no cabbage fields. 

Kevin has been closing the gap since the first race. Dean runs away from us on the first 5k. I manage to keep Kevin in my sights and have a slightly faster transition to get on the bike before him. Kevin later tells me that he was down 50 seconds at one point during the first half of the 30k bike ride. Some day I may learn pacing. We enter the transition area about the same time. I stay with Kevin until the turn around on the second 5k but he gradually pulls away finishing 18 seconds ahead. 

Kevin gets 8 points for second. I am third for 6 points, good enough to win the series for men 45-49 with 22 points. Our age group is really fun; Dean and Kevin are great competitors and great guys. I have really enjoyed racing with them over the years. 

 There are breakfast burritos and a raffle for a set of Zipp wheels. Everyone who raced the series is entered. Someone else made off with “my wheels.” I did get my own burrito.  

More information than you can possibly need regarding the series can be found at www.racingunderground.com