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 Swim
Comments: What do you expect? I panicked. BIG TIME. I was okay at first but once the water was over my head I lost it. My wetsuit works like a charm but I don't let it work for me. I was stiff instead of relaxed. My brain was not working. I was 2 seconds away from calling it quits. Many newbies were calling out for assistance, it was a little disheartening. What would you do differently?: How can I relax? That is the big issue. It wasn't a hard swim or choppy water. I just got panicky. It is all in my head. Perhaps a lobotomy would be in order?  Transition 1
Comments: I took my time. I was winded, disoriented and defeated. Luckily my family was there to cheer me on. I looked at all the empty racks and laughed. Luckily I wasn't the last bike left. But it was close. What would you do differently?: I guess I should work on my transitions  Bike
Comments: I guess I need a new bike fit because I was not comfortable on this bike at all! 2 miles in my water bottle rocketed out the back. Luckily this was just a sprint and it was cool out. I also got a brain fart and was riding in the fast lane. Speedier rider had to correct me. Sorry!! My gear changes sucked too! I really don't think the aero disc cover worked that great - for me! I need more power in the engine! What would you do differently?: Get a bike fit. Ride the bike more! Transition 2
Comments: Better than usual. I was thirsty and hungry so I grabbed some shot blocks. That story will come later!!! Forget to put on my hat! What would you do differently?: Nothing well, wait, maybe get tri bike shoes? The straps on mime were hard to get out of.  Run
Comments: Well as I got out of T2, I grabbed some water and ate a Shot Blok. As I was parched my throw was dry and probably constricting. Not a good combo for putting a square object in it. About 100 yards from the start, I started choking. The blok was stuck. The funny part is that I was doing this about fifty feet in front of a ambulance. But apparently unless there was blood I wasn't getting any assistance. After a couple of dry heaves I got it out and I was on my way. My goal was not to stop which was accomplished except for a water stop. What would you do differently?: Endurance? I don't know I really had no rhythm out there. I should have worn my MP4 player. Post race
Warm down: Saw Christos and his family, Snuck mine into the runner's area. Just sorta hung out. They left to get something to eat and I stayed around until the raffle. I won a wetsuit last year so I was hoping my luck would return. Out some pizza and drank some water. Prepared myself for the journey back to Chicago. What limited your ability to perform faster: OWS! Hyno-therapy? Sorry but if the swim wasn't such a detriment to my mental ability this would have been a decent race. I am not a true triathlete. Pure and simple! I like them but unless I dedicate myself to them like many on here do I will always be BOP. Is that okay? Not sure. I am not going to quit though swims like these are demoralizing and, quite frankly, embarassing! Event comments: Races are for me. I am out to prove that I can do something challenging however, you have have to push yourself. In terms of the swim, I am not challenging myself because I am not preparing myself. I can't just do the swim without practicing because one day I could find myself in a bad situation and no one there to help me. In the end, I did it and not a ton of people can say this is how they spent their Sunday. Last updated: 2011-03-15 12:00 AM
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United States
3 Disciplines Racing
65F / 18C
Overcast
Overall Rank = /369
Age Group = 40-44
Age Group Rank = 30/42
Well I think I got about 1 hour sleep. I was NERVOUS! I knew this was not going to end up well. We got into Michigan around 11 pm on Friday after a nice 8 hour drive. Should have be 6 but the traffic in Chicago was brutual. But let's forget all that because my head was not in this! I got up around 5:30 because I wanted to get my chip which I had forgotten at the packet pickup. I grabbed a banana and some gatorade. My stomach was telling me something but it wasn't good. Got there in plenty of time and set up my stuff and the two transitions. Walked my bike the mile to T1.
Hit the porta-potty multiple times. Saw friend Christos. Grabbed some water. But basically I worked myself into a tizzy. They changed the water course. So there was deep water this time. Tested the water. It was nice so I relazed but as the time ticked away my anxiety got worse. My wife, kids and father-in-law showed up about 5 minutes before my start.