Ok, so I didn't get kidnapped before the Mont-Tremblant Duathlon on June 6th. A few minutes before the start, I was still oscillating between yay and nay. I had strapped my right ankle and the pain on my inner shine bone persisted. So I loosened up the bandage and it felt better. Ok, I'll do the race and see what happens.
 
This duathlon was on the Quebec Cup circuit. Last year I did most events on the circuit, and this year the competition has increased a full gear. Regulars on the circuit like, Jason Lacombe, Pierre Heynemand, Frederic Chenard, Mathieu Borduas, Sylvain Rioux,, Jose Fernandez, and Patrick Jeandroz all seem to be on some sort of mission from God.
 
This was a sprint duathlon, 5km, 20km, 2.5km. The first run was at a reasonable pace, the main group running around 3:20-3:30 minute per kilometer. With my ankle not cooperating fully, I  managed to stay within 30 seconds of the main group. I talk about the main group because, like in every running race or duathlon, there is always some"Joe" that starts like a rocket, to eventually fade within a kilometer.
 
There was one "Joe" in this race, we all saw him run away from the pack, like watching a Kenyan elite runner at the start of a 10km race.  But Joe didn't turn out to be your usual "Joe" - after the first 5km bike leg, he had more than one minute over the main group.
So I start the bike leg about 8th or 9th. I'm good with that. Joe is probably not a cyclist. So indeed after about 10km on the bike, I pass the leader, Patrick Jeandroz. Things look good, I have another 10km on the bike, then a little 2.5km (which was actually probably less than 2km).
The first problem, after passing Patrick, I notice he's matching my pace so I'm not making time on him.  And I know with my foot on the run, I won't have a stellar second run. Finally in the last 4 kilometers I'm able to take a 15 second lead.
 
That small lead soon fades and Patrick is easily running behind during the second run. We have a bit more than a 1 minute on "Joe". We're running at a good pace, and we even chat a little. I have seen Patrick at recent races and have noticed that he has improved a lot. He flatters me by telling me his day is already made, just to be on thesecond run with me. But I know he's stronger today, and he'll have no issue dropping me on the run.
 
Then at one point, probably 1.5 kilometers out, on what is supposed to be a 2.5km total, we talk to each other and are a bit concerned that we haven't turned around yet. We see a turnaround sign for a "try a tri" event, so I suggest the turn must be later. Then we see the 2km marker, close to turn around we did on the first 5km run - we realize we missed the turn around. Ok, we turn around and we see duathlon turnaround sign, between two tables in a feed zone!
Our chance to take the 1-2 spots have vanished. Patrick had the best race of his life, and he would have easily beat me to the finish.  In the meantime, "Joe" had a good bike leg, properly turned at the turnaround, and finished with a strong final run to take first place.
 
So the real "Joe" is me, not for not having checked out ahead of time where the second turnaround was going to be.
 
After the race I spoke to Francois Marceau, who is no "Joe" at all, but rather quite a nice fellow. He's an excellent elite runner, who's also decided to get fast on the bike. I'm sure we'll see more of him.
 
As for me, I've decided to kidnapped myself, and avoid any running for the next few weeks after abusing a little too much.