[Closed] First Duathlon - Any tips ?

Never done duathalon's but done a few Tri's & an ironman. For the last km or so of the bike leg, drop a few gears and spin the legs to clear out the lactic acid.

It will feel a bit odd going from bike - that's normal but at least you are warmed up for the second run...

As above. Practice a few runs off a bike session. Enjoy!

Do a few short practice run > ride > runs around the block. Get used to the muscle groups changing slightly and also helps to practice with changing from run shoes to bike and back to run shoes. The distances should be short, it's just about getting used to the change up rather than fitness. Expect wobbly legs the first few times!

Thanks for the advice will be interesting !

I'm pretty used to running - bike - run etc as training for 3 Peaks CX. Up cadence in last km is a good point!

I just need to practice doing laces, I'm useless at it 😆

Elastic laces are your friends, then you just need to pull your running shoes on.

Did an off road one years ago and I remember the transition from run to bike felt OK but going back from bike to run was awful. Legs felt like they were going to snap.
As a non runner (I subscribe to the view that the only time you should run is when late for public transport) I could barely walk for a few days after. My wife (a runner, damn her eyes) laughed a lot whilst I did my best Douglas Bader impression.

I found run to bike transition no problem, bike to run was like the nightmares when you're running through treacle...

Bike to run caused me calf cramp. If just practice that. Also get yourself the elastic laces. Take on lots of water. And enjoy.

As already mentioned, run then bike is fine but from bike to run felt dreadful whenever I've done it. Be prepared to hobble following the bike section. No amount of backing off on the last bit of the ride will help - it's the position you're in on the bike rather than the energy you're expending. Easy away on the first run, nail the bike and then see what you can manage on the final run and if it's more than like the aforementioned wading through treacle, then you're in a good place 🙂

I've entered the Dalbeattie Hard Rock challenge and never done a duathlon before. Not too bothered about the physical challenge. More concerned of practicalities. Do you run in your cycling shorts and trainers and just jump on the mtb with flats and go? What do you do for water on the run? ( 10 mile off road run) For nutrition on the bike (16 miles) I was thinking a Mars Bar and a flapjack? Don't do energy gels. Clothing wise if it rains do you just suck it up and get soaked?

I'd say run in Lycra cycling gear. No need to drink on a 10 mile run, maybe have some at transition and then some on the bike.

Using the advice from above, I'm going to buy some lock laces for trainers.

I would want to be wearing spd's for the bike section.

No padded cycling shorts then or just minimalist? Mine are all well padded bibs. At a guess you can probably get cheap triathlon shorts from Decathlon or something? I don't want to invest too much. Only doing the event because I'm in that area for the event.

I've done them in normal bib shorts. If they fit ok, there won't be much chafage on the run. And I'd swap shoes in transition. You'll be grateful for a breather and will save the time back on the bike with spds

Did it last night. Really enjoyed it... I think

On the run you can't wait for it to finish, on the bike you can't wait for that to finish 😆

I actually found the transition between running and riding etc quite easy, no jelly legs etc.