Chicago Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

The water in the harbor was the choppiest I've ever swam in - which granted, isn't coming from years of experience. That said, there were people with a lot more training than I have had being pulled from the lake because they got sick and couldn't make it.

As it were, I did hold the wall about 25m in, decided that wasn't going to work if I ever wanted out of the dang water (and the dreaded wetsuit), and then didn't hold the wall again. I did stop a few times and tread water when the new swim waves were passing me. I decided getting kicked in the head wasn't going to improve my time.

Overall, even if I didn't break any records, I'm pretty impressed with my ability to not stop moving. Also, my time would be a lot better if I hadn't had a bout of motion sickness (thankfully no throwing up) upon exiting the water and having to walk the 2/5 of a mile to T1.



I'd take some Dramamine before getting in water that choppy again. I'm not joking.

That aside, I need to work on consistency. My coaches watching me said it was the best swimming I did all season - when I swam! So I need to work on not getting flustered, stopping, and then having to start again.

I found my bike pretty easily - I was near the end of the row and the person next to me (who was very nice) had a bright green duct tape arrow next to HER bike, so I could just use that to find it! I'd laid everything out well, and decided to use the running shoes on the bike, since I don't clip in.

I also ate some fruit punch Sport Beans and I actually did feel better afterward.

I'd have my contacts so I would be able to see! Otherwise, I think it went okay.

I'm not a fast rider - obviously - but I maintained my training pace of 8mph, so I'm not upset with my time. I was also riding a 20 year old mountain bike that got snarky when I changed gears, so I think that probably had an impact.

That said, I felt like surviving the swim was the hard part and once I got past that, I just wanted to finish and not die. So I took it pretty easy on the bike, and I really actually enjoyed it.

I'm buying a road bike before my next race, and I think that will help a ton - plus, as always, more training!

I also went sans-gloves since I didn't like the ones I had, and that wasn't a HORRIBLE idea, but it wasn't my best move ever. No blisters, but I had sore spots for the next day or so.

I did fine with finding my spot, racking, and getting to run entrance...till I started trying to finish my granola bar.

Let me tell you - granola bar + dry mouth = EW.

NO GRANOLA BARS!

Also, next time I might have clips, so I'll have to change shoes!

My lower back was hurting quite badly when I got off the bike and I never really recovered. I ended up walking most of the run, which made me feel silly, but I - again - was focused on finishing. Which I did!

I would actually run!

I met up with my coaches and the staff person from Team In Training and went back to the swim entrance so we could watch some of my teammates run. I thought I'd never want to walk again, but I felt pretty good, actually, and ended up walking a few more miles over the course of the day.


I need to get more comfortable on the swim, get a road bike, do some ab work to have a steadier core, and lose 100 lbs.


This was a good first race - except the choppy swim. The bike and run are flat, there's TONS of people cheering you on, and you get a finisher medal, and really, who doesn't want one of those?