R.J. Corman Duathlon for the Chrysalis House - Nicholasville, Kentucky

My trusty bike! Here we are after the race!

If you had asked me a year ago if I thought I would ever compete in a duathlon...I would have said, "Are you crazy?"
Well, I must be the crazy one because I did it! Not for the competition, but for the experience. The R.J. Corman Duathlon was put in place to benefit the Chrysalis House in Lexington, Kentucky. The Chrysalis House helps single mothers who have substance abuse problems get the therapy they need and to get back on their feet. I have a Masters and Rank One in Counseling, so this is something that is near and dear to my heart. I believe that everyone deserves a second chance, even 3 or 4 chances.

Well, I don't know what made me think I could do this, but I signed up anyway. The race consisted of a 3.1 mile run, a 16 mile bike, and another 3.1 mile run. My first goal was to be able to ride the 16 miles without stopping, so I worked on that first. Then, my next goal was to run the first 5K and be able to get on the bike and ride right after finished the run. This part wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. So, I wasn't worried about the first run at all.

The last step was getting off the bike after riding 16 miles, and then running another 5K. Ladies and gentlemen...there is a reason they call it brick work! :) This was definitely the toughest part for me, and the part I trained for the most. I was really worried about this part, but it turned out okay.

I was very lucky to have a bandwagon of supporters with me along the way. We left the house at 6:15 that morning. Me, my running buddy Bobbie, my sister-in-law Katrina, and Bobbie's mom, Ruby. Ruby calls herself the historian of the group because she always has her camera in tow. We love her for that!

Putting on my front wheel! Can you tell it was freezing?

We get there and no one is allowed in the transition area with me. So, I get my bike ready, lay my GU's out on my towel with my helmet and gloves, and head to the body marking tent. I got my arms and legs marked and headed to chill until the race started.

Getting body markings!

Showing off my ankle chip timer!

The race begins. I finished my first 5K in 27 minutes. But, OH NO! I was about to pee on myself when I finished. I had a 4 minute transition because I had to run to the bathroom. But, oh well!



I got on the bike and started pedaling. I thought Bluegrass Pike was good preparation, but honestly, my bike has never seen hills like it did during this race.
I approached mile 8 and MY CHAIN FELL OFF MY BIKE AND GOT STUCK BETWEEN THE GEARS! Not only were they stuck, but I had to stop in the middle of what I call, "Deliverance"! I didn't know whether to stop or run with my bike. I ran with my bike until a nice man and his wife stopped in their truck to help me. He had to get out his vice grips, but he got my chain back on. All of this made for a slow 1 hour and 15 minute bike ride.

Transitioning to the second 5K! Just got off the bike!

The second 5K obviously was not as fast...30 minutes. So, I ended up with a time of 2:17:45, which wasn't what I was hoping, but it was what I was expecting...so job well done! And, it always feels great to have people there supporting you! Thank you Bobbie, Katrina, and Ruby! You're the best!Crossing the finish line, Bobbie running beside me!

And I ended up with first place in my age group (30-34)! And I'm not even 30 yet!

Here they are, running to see if I need anything!