Canadian Duathlon Championships
Calgary, Canada
Sunday, September 8, 2002

On September 8th, 2002, over 240 athletes competed at the 2002 Canadian Duathlon Championships on a flat, technical course in downtown Calgary. Athletes from across Canada were racing for positions on the 2002 Canadian Duathlon Team to compete at the World Duathlon Championships to be held this coming October in Georgia.

The Elite Men's event had a great field of Elite and U23 athletes competing for prize money. From the start Brian Barkhouse of Chester, NS gained a sizeable lead on the 10km Run, followed closely behind by Edmonton's Chad Kozak. Kozak and Barkhouse were able to work together on the bike course, while a pack of 7 athletes gave the chase from behind. Barkhouse pulled away from Kozak, who was slowed by a bike crash. Off the bike, Barkhouse left transition onto the final 5km run with a one minute lead. Although his ribs were bruised, Kozak was able to close the gap to within 20 seconds at the finish.

The 10 Elite Women/U23 category started with the pre-race favorite Lucy Smith of Victoria, BC taking a sizeable lead on the 10km Run. Working alone throughout the entire race she hammered the bike course and completed the run with a sizeable lead over the entire field.

Lucy Smith's Race Report
In what may have been my shortest ever race trip---fly in Sat night, race Sunday morning and leave 2 hours after completing the event--I successfully defended my Canadian Duathlon Championship title and added a 12th National Championship win to my resume.

In preparing for the race, Lance [her coach and husband, Lance Watson] and I realized that I would not have much competition on Canadian soil this year, so we decided to train through the event, and use it as a strong brick workout, looking toward Dannon Duathlon Naperville in two weeks.

I was pretty relaxed going into the race, so having my bike tool confiscated by airport security right off the bat in Victoria didn't phase me much. Not much phases me these days. I found a new slogan this weekend, while browsing a gift shop at the markets at the race site: You can't scare me, I have kids!

The race transition area was in a great market/public area of downtown Calgary, and while we had to dodge a few baby strollers and Sunday walkers, it was nice to be out competing amongst the crowds. I gained a lead of about a minute over the first 10k run, a scenic loop course that followed the river. I went into the ride knowing I was up for a solo tempo effort. I was dominating from the front, but I concentrated on staying focused on technique, and I played lots of mental imagery games with myself, visualizing being at Worlds and rehearsing various race scenarios in my mind.

I cruised the second run, trying to feel effortless and smooth, and turned up the pace over the last 500, just to simulate a race. Then it was off to drug testing and to pack my bike and I regretfully couldn't even make it back to the awards in time before having to jet off to the airport. With Lance and I both living fairly busy lives, we try to make our trips as short as possible so that one of us is always home with Maia.

Kudos to Trevor and Cam the race directors, who are supporting duathlon in Canada and putting on tremendous events for us runner/bikers! Winning the National Championships was one more step up the ladder to the Worlds, where I have high goals this year!

Lucy Smith
Sept 10, 2002