“I am counting down the days to this race. I am so excited to race in my first duathlon and hope this is the start of something I will want to continue. You may just see me in a fall duathlon!“

Training for: 2011 Prospect Park Spring Duathlon

On multi-sport racing: “This is a clean slate as this will be my first multi-sport competition. I have always wanted to combine bicycling and running. I have been a runner for 14 years but this is my first race combining the two sports, although I have been a bicyclist as well as runner for the last few.”

Favorite racing memories: “My favorite races tend to be those which everything is right – perfect conditions (cool – no wind), muscles feeling right, and a sense that everything’s coming together. However, one of my favorite races last year was a road race in Queens where it was pouring rain – I somehow managed to win my age group and felt like a champion.”

On training: “I run with a running club and tend to bike on my own. Although I have been recruiting some friends to bike along with me this winter and it is been a great experience when we can get out. The hardest thing about a spring duathlon is finding ways to get outdoors on the bike, especially THIS winter. The bike at the gym fits the bill, but doing that for an hour can get quite boring. I pine for some clear streets. I don’t care how cold it is. I’m finding it is much easier to run in the winter than bike.”

LAUREN COWELL (New York, New York)

Training for: 2011 Prospect Park Spring Duathlon

On her racing history: “The Prospect Park Spring Duathlon will be my first foray into the running/racing world. In the past I’ve done “fun runs” like the Hustle up the Hancock, Muddy Buddy and the Warrior Dash, all of which took little training to complete.”

On training: “For the duathlon I found a beginner training plan on the internet which consists of running and biking five days a week in varying times/distances. Hopefully it will help me achieve my goal of not coming in last place!”

First duathlon: 2010 Prospect Park Fall Duathlon

Training for: 2011 Prospect Park Spring Duathlon

On his last race: “I was so happy to finish [the Prospect Park Fall Duathlon], but transitioning from the bike to the final run was kind of cool. For me this was the first taste of competition since playing high school football 20 years ago.”

On training:“I train by myself and with a coach as a group. Twice a week I do train with a coach where we swim for an hour from 6-7am then run or bike or both from 7-8am. Three other days I exercise commuting to work. I run to work two days 7 miles and on the other day I ride round trip 14 miles. Then on the weekend I like to go for a long ride 90 minutes to an hour. In the spring I go on club bike rides. “

On his next race:“I participated in the 2010 fall duathlon with little training and a heavy hybrid bike. I’ve been running a lot more and have added a nice road bike to my tool box. I hope be just under 1:40 for the March 19 race. I’ll keep training. Hopefully it wont be 32 degrees.”

Training for: 2011 Prospect Park Spring Duathlon

On his next race:“I am excited to do the Prospect Park Du this March. I am going all out and doing the International. I figure if I can get through the runs, the 27 mile bike is a piece of cake.”

On training:“Cycling is my strongest leg. I have been racing road bikes, tours, cyclocross, and the weekend mountain bike warrior for many years. So knowing this, most of my training is running, trying to trim the minutes. During the winter, I spin watching SufferFest and jacking up the tunes. I love running at night. On weekends, I’ll bike with a friend, but the running is solo. I hate talking while running! I do what I can between work with 3 kids!“

On multi-sport racing: “My first duathlon was last October, the Dottie House Duathlon on the Jersey shore. It was a 2.2mi run, 10mi bike, 5k finish. I fell in love with the sport! My personal goal was broken with a 1:25.3. In May of 2010, I had lower back surgery and ran a 40min 5k the day before just in case any weird problems occurred while manipulating my spinal cord. Four months later, I was 25 pounds less and racing my first du. Last month, I ran a best 27:43 5k., 13 minutes faster and 30 pounds lighter.”

JOE BACHANA (Brooklyn, New York)

Previous Races: 2010 Prospect Park Fall Duathlon and Gotham Cup

Training for: 2011 Prospect Park Spring Duathlon

On his racing history: “I’ve been competing in triathlons and duathlons since 1991, but this past fall was my first Prospect Park Duathlon with CityTri. I was really impressed with how well the race was run as well as the beautiful run route.

This is definitely my earliest duathlon of any year prior, and I’m coming off a couple of off-season injuries, so I’m really looking forward to just a smooth race come March 19th. See ya out there!

I’ve been competing in triathlons and duathlons since 1991, but this past fall was my first Prospect Park Duathlon with CityTri. I was really impressed with how well the race was run as well as the beautiful run route.”

On training: “I mainly make my own training decisions although I do work out with a few friends and occasionally join in with coached run interval workouts.”

On his next race:“This is definitely my earliest duathlon of any year prior, and I’m coming off a couple of off-season injuries, so I’m really looking forward to just a smooth race come March 19th. See ya out there!”