Accenture Chicago Triathlon - TriathlonOlympic

very crowded swim: lots of contact throughout the course, making it hard to get a comfortable rhythm

LONG run from swim out to transition area, added 3 minutes to my "swim" time

I drafted some but am not very good at it. I would have drafted more and sighted a little better (I had to turn left a little at one point in the northbound leg).

Also, I would practice running all-out barefoot on pavement for a quarter mile after swimming. I noticed the pros doing this very well during their race.

I sat down to remove the suit and put on shoes. The suit still got stuck around my ankles.

Practice suit removal better.

I really felt good with this leg of the race. I felt powerful on my bike and was passed by very few people.

Make the turns harder and faster while remaining safe. I was passed by some maniacs on the turns whom I later caught on the straightaways.

Not bad.

Run faster. Slip right shoe on better so as not to have to readjust the tongue.

I was very tired after the bike and, by the time I was out on the run segment, it was very hot. I focused on maintaining an even pace and ignoring my pain. I was hoping for a much faster time.

Maintain strength better throughout the run.

Walking all over Grant Park twice to get all my gear.


Training, experience.


This was my "A" race for this year, which is my first year racing (or, for that matter, running) ever. I was hoping to finish above the 50th percentile for my age group and I ended up in the 67th. I loved this race and will return next year.