PENTICTON, B.C. — Dave Lasorsa of Port Angeles competed in the World Duathlon Championships in Penticton, B.C., on Aug. 19, finishing 12th in the 60-64 age group.
Lasorsa finished the 5-kilometer run, 20-kilometer bike ride and 2.5-kilometer run in a time of 1:18:54. He was part of the U.S. team, having qualified in last year’s national championships.
The course was particularly challenging, with steep bike climbs and fast descents. Lasorsa prepared for the toughness of the event by training on nearby Deer Park Road.
It was Lasorsa’s 11th World Championship, but his first since 2008. A series of injuries, including two Achilles tendon surgeries, foot nerve surgery and an ACL tear limited his ability to compete. However, by learning to moderate his training through stretching and backing off the intensity of his workouts, he is able to compete. However he’s learned to moderate his training by lots of stretching and backing off the intensity.
Lasorsa has already set his sights on next year’s championships in Odense, Denmark.
A duathlon differs from a triathlon in that an athlete first runs, then cycles and returns to running to finish.