Tinely Park Duathlon....Flat Tire

This past Sunday, June 28th was the 9th Annual MetLife Tour Around the World Duathlon located in Tinley Park, IL. For those who are unfamiliar with a duathlon format, it is a run, bike, run. This race covers 15 miles with two, two-mile runs divided by an eleven mile bike. This was the third consecutive year that I was going to be a participant. After a year hiatus, my sister Becky was making her return. More excitingly, my parents had entered the Co-ed Team Division. My father was the runner and my mother was the cyclist.

I arrived in Tinley Park at 6:30 am, approximately a hour-and-a-half before the start of the race. Everything was going smoothly until I realized the Port-a-Potties had not been delivered. Thankfully, the Tinley Park Fire Department had opened their stalls to all competitors and fans! Around 7:15 am I saw my family had arrived. Now, chaos ensues! There was a slight problem pumping up my mother's rear tire. Apparently I pulled the stem off while trying to remove the pump nozzle. It is a little hard for the tube to hold air when the stem is detached. Fortunately I had a spare tube in my bag and I was able to change the tube with about fifteen minutes to spare before the start of the race.

The race began promptly at 8:00 am. I started off on the first run. I did not feel too good running but I was pleased with my time. I believe I was just over 14 minutes for the first two miles. I was well on my way to reaching my goal of a time under one hour. Once on the bike I felt great! I had a nice comfortable cadence going and I was excited! Then I made a turn around mile seven. I felt a little wobble in my front tire. I also noticed that it looked low. I was hoping it was a slow enough leak where I would still be able to finish the ride. It was not. At the eighth mile is dismounted my bike and began my three mile walk back to the transition area.

As I reached the transition area, I looked behind me and saw my mother biking in. I was able to see my parents switch positions and my father take off. About 22 minutes later he crossed the finish line. The "First Race Oldies" where officially finishers in a duathlon.

While I was disappointed in not finishing the race, I am very thankful that I was able to race and share the experience with my parents and two sisters. Kristy was the official photographer. I am also thankful to Adrienne and Carly for coming out to watch. Adrienne and Carly wanted to burn the posters they made, but I will not allow that to happen.

Let the training begin for the next race!