Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Sprint - TriathlonSprint

I started in the middle pack, which turned out to be a mistake. People in front of me were not fast enough and I had to get around a lot to people to move. My time would have been much faster If I started more on the front of the pack.

My time would have been much faster If I started more on the front of the pack.

I found my bike easier and left pretty fast from the t-area. The bike starts with an uphill ramp, so I had to wait until the crest to put my shoes into the heel clips. Took my time given that it was my first transition ever. The need to get biking shoes is rising. Must consider this in order to save time. Also, I should start wearing the full racing outfit undernearth the wetsuit in the future.

Not much, maybe next time, I'll make sure I'm on the right gear to start a climb right at the start.

The wind was strong and coming from the north, which made it really hard for a person my size to bike fast on the first portion of the bike course. The ride back was much better and naturally faster.

Train harder on my leg muscles, I expected the bike to be my best discipline, and it clearly was not, mostly due to the wind.

It was pretty smooth expect I almost put my bike back to the rack from the wrong side of the saddle.

Not much, maybe stretch a little longer if I do the International distance next year.

I underestimated my running and physical fitness ability, as the run was my fastest event and I was not that tired at the end of it. My legs were not wobbly and I had a good stride until the very end.

Run faster! RUN OUTDOORS!! I was able to recover pretty fast after the race which told me I had more left in me to give to the race and better my time. Definitely will do next time. I should do more 5k and 10ks in the spring to build experience running outdoors.

Good stretch and walking. Lots of Gatorade, banana, clif bar. Walked back to the swim start, hung out. Watched bike/run transition. Waited until 11AM to watch the pros go, then went back to pick up my gear from transition, which took forever. Bike ride back home.


Swim - starting in the middle and having to dodge people and wait
Solution: Take swimming classes and get better

Bike - weaker than expected leg muscles and strong winds
Solution: Weight training on lower body and lower back, take cycling classes, maybe an actual tri bike for next season.

Run - inexperience
Solution: Run outdoors more, stronger legs, new shoes.


This was an ideal first triathlon. My background in being very large and organized events made it easy for me to follow rules and instructions. The people were helpful and everything kind of clicked perfectly. It may not be the best first race for most, but for an athlete of my background, it was the right one to pick.