On January 2 I went for my first bike-run training day. I used a free app called Map My Ride to track miles and speed, which was kind of cool. My biking circuit is 3.5 miles, and I did it twice in just over half an hour, which was my target training time. The split time tracker makes it look like I was really slow at the beginning, but really I didn't know how to use the app very well and so part of that was me dinking around in the driveway. Then, early in the ride as I adjusted the volume on Pandora, I knocked my phone out of its holster and it fell on the ground. I was lucky it didn't get run over by the car that was coming through right after! I'll use the extra security bands for future rides.

Once my ride was done, I stripped off my outer jacket and helmet but kept my knit hat and gloves for the 10 minute run, which was about 1.25 miles (one time around my running circuit.) My legs were a little janky-feeling at first, but they sorted themselves out. I kept a slow and steady pace, pleased that I didn't feel like I needed to drop to a walk at any point. I did get passed by a lady pushing a double stroller. Show-off.

Yesterday was a run-only day for 25 minutes. I did two times around my circuit plus some extra to get to the right time. The weather out was near 30 degrees, but after the first lap I was pretty warm.

Today I was scheduled for a 30 minute bike ride. It's rainy miserable out, so I tried out my new set-up in the basement, which is a craft room, laundry repository, random item collection site, occasional office, now a workout space. I have an old 10-speed that has a similar saddle feel as the bike I think I'll be using for the duathlon on a Crescendo Fitness trainer for days when I can't ride outside. When I have bike-run days when the weather is crappy, I'll head to Planet Fitness. Today was bike-only, so I gave my home rig a try. I watched last night's episode of the Rachel Maddow Show, and the time flew by.

Those are the highlights from the last couple of days. I'm a little sore but not too sore. I'm still encouraged and enthusiastic. On to week two!

Yesterday I made my first appearance at Planet Fitness in awhile. They played it cool -- no one acted super surprised to see that I am moving from the "donor" role to the "fee for service" customer. Good for them! Of course, it is the new year, so probably lots of people with good intentions are showing up about now. I know enough about resolutions and goal-setting to know that I need a plan and some structure. 

Being the good researcher that I am, I turned to the internet for books, blogs and more. Regarding duathlon specifically, there's really not that much. I suppose the triathlon people think I can just do that but take out the swimming part. But logically, it seems like the training would be different. So I kept looking. I found a beginner's training schedule, but it doesn't really define what kind of duathlon. The one I've signed up for is 2-mile run, 10-mile bike, 3.1 mile run, which I think is on the easier side, as these things go. And, I've got more than 10 weeks to prepare, so I think if use this one as a guide, I probably can't go too wrong.

So yesterday I went to Planet Fitness and rode a stationary bike for the prescribed 30 minutes. It really wasn't too much like riding the bike I think I will be riding in the duathlon, so I'm musing on how to set up my at home trainer and suitable bike.

Today I went for a run for 15 minutes. I have a circuit that is 1.25 miles that at my current pace was just about 15 minutes, so that will work on days that aren't too cold or wet. And when they are, I have the treadmill at Planet Fitness. Tomorrow I'm supposed to bike 30 minutes and run 15 minutes. I have the day off from work and the weather forecast looks okay, so I'm going to attempt an outside session. I think I need to figure out a biking circuit to match my running circuit so that I can just have my 30-minute ride ready to go. The more time I give myself to overthink things, the more likely I am to not get it done! So, While the weather is okay today, I'll map a route that looks pretty safe even at dawn and time it tomorrow, then adjust from there.

Other interesting resources I've found, if you are also looking for duathlon resources and you found me instead :-) --

• Debbie Bradley has Duathlongirl. I poked around her site and started following her on Facebook. She's a sponsored 'thoner*, so she's got products she endorses. It's a good peek into some of the gear that people might want. Personally, I'm going to train with equipment and clothing I've already got and use the cheapest gym membership available. I will get some new sneakers. Having read Born to Run, I do not spend a lot of money on shoes. I like Go Run from Sketchers. I ordered this pair for $32, which will arrive tomorrow. For today, I just ran in my existing pair of an earlier iteration. 
• Speaking of Facebook, I found a group called Women of Tri, Nifty 50 and Older. I asked and they took me, even though I'm a woman of Du. Lurking for now to see what issues come up for people or other resources they like.
• Others in other online groups. I have various online communities and have reached out to see if there are other du-ers. I got a couple of hits, so it's always nice to check your existing network for training buddies/encouragers.
• Another site, Duathlon Training Tips is geared toward serious racers, but has some good tips for training specifically for duathlon. It has a handy training log to download, if you want it. Too bad they could only find pics of white dudes.
• I'm thinking about buying this book by Gale Bernhardt. It looks way serious-er than I am, but Gale looks like an awesome role model, so maybe I will get it when I need the extra motivation.

Mostly though, I figure if I can train with elements that include: run some, bike some, then run-bike, then run-bike-run, I'll be able to do this.

* I'm not sponsored in any way, but always open to offers!

Extra disclaimer: blogging takes time. Since I have a full time job and NOW I'm training for a duathlon, not sure how often I'll be able to update. But, my intention is to check in at least weekly.