Lac Du Bouchet Duathalon or learn to read the small print.
After last years success in surviving the Triathlon Lac Du Bouchet Cali and I decided to attempt the Duathalon held on the day before the triathlon. Having successfully negotiated the on-line entry process Cali and I decided to reccie the cycle route which looked interesting from both the profile and the distance of it. But we where unable to find the run route. The reccie proved very useful in letting us know the difficulty of the trail and how difficult it may prove to be in the race itself.
The following day we turned up two hours before the race to check in and work out the very important transition area. Still unable to work out the run route I approached a local runner but unfortunately due my poor French and my pigeon English we came away somewhat down hearted. When asked about the VTT route (bike) he indicated on the map the route we had reccied the previous day, when asked about the run route ( off road run) he indicated the same route. We were faced with a bike ride that had taken us over 2 hours to reccie and running the same route.
We then collected our numbers and inquired about where we were to start and fortunately we met a very patient and helpful fellow runner. She explained to us that the race was a team event and the team members alternated between the bike and running . Seeing as the race was billed as Bike and Run race and not a Duathalon it dawned on us what we had let our selves in for.
The race was the most fun that I have had racing in a long time. Cali and I worked really hard throughout the race battling with a pair of French girls who managed to pip us in the last mile of the race.
Although we didn’t win any prizes or appear on the podium we both loved it. It was a well organised race and we would both recommend it as a great fun day out in a lovely part of France.
We are already planning next years race. Anybody fancy entering next years race let me know and I’ll gladly supply you with the information to get you in the race.
Bob W and Cali