how to ensure you suck - duathlon post moretum

for a lesson in what not to do for race day the following will ensure you finish in the bottom of the pack. this dismal performance has but one upside, you can only do better next time.

• pre race meal: couldnt find an Italian restaurant so went to a mexican restaurant.  bad mexican food equals bad energy for race day.
• race clothing: do not wear a black shirt on a sunny day.  black shirt and sun equals overheating.
• race clothing: do not wear a nylon shirt with no zipper.  nylon is not the best wick material nor does it carry away moisture well.  something with a fine mesh that allows airflow and preferably with a zipper for fast cooling when needed.
• race clothing: do not remove your shit when you are over heating, too much exposed skin can lead to over exposure to sun and dehydration. also cuz its early in the season you look like a fat fu*k in your bike photos
• stretching: daily is preferable race day pre and post race is a must. do not miss this one
• pace: race the pace you train, bombing the bike leg because youre feeling super invincible will leave you fatigued for the next leg and overall costly mistake and possible injury.
• training: train bricks for the event you are racing, if you havent trained for the type of race or have no prior races in that format you should not be surprised if you suck.

this is my assessment of rookie mistakes, having posted gives me closure on my poorest performance to date.  worst of all i was actually doing well until the last run where i added 8 minutes to my time.  that was the difference between top 3 and bottom 2. i will be back to kick some duathalon ass then i will never race it again