Life Time Tri Chicago - Olympic Course - Triathlon

Everything went to plan. The swim makes my anxious and my goal was to do the front crawl the entire way. I started out going at what felt like a slow pace, but after about half way it became more difficult to keep the pace. This course starts with about 500 m to the south and then you make a 180 deg turn a round the buoy and swim past the start and to the finish area. The 180 turn at the buoy gets a little congested and I just focused on getting around as quickly as possible and try to stay calm with the jostling and chaos. I didn't breath well and started to Greek out so I flipped on my back for about 50m to catch my breath and calm down. Then back to the front crawl which I continued to the finish. I am able to breath on either side so navigation was simple with the sea wall to the west. The swim also includes a 1/4 mile run from the swim end to T1. It is on a paved trail, but they did a good job carpeting the asphalt so barefoot didn't bother me.

There are about 40 waves (I was near the last of the waves), and you need to stand in a corral for about 30 minutes as you wait for the 5 or so waves before you to start. I decided to get in my wetsuit before I got in the corral and because it was nearing 9 when I started the air was warm and I was sweating like crazy. I was thirsty when i left the water and this came back to bite me in the bike and definitely in the run.

T1 went pretty smooth. I'm a slower swimmer so I normally have a lot of space. This was good today because the racks were very cramped. They said there should be something like 8 racers per rack, but someone's math was off because there definitely were not enough racks. More like 15 racers plus an evergreen tree in the way on our rack, but like I said I'm a slow swimmer so the cramped bike rack didn't effect me. Plus all the other racers were very nice and didn't take up excessive amount of space.

I just took my time. Next time maybe pick up the pace.

I was happy with the ride. I think if I had had more fluids, and my bike wasn't shifting well so I think had these two things been better I could have pushed my average speed up another 0.5 mph.

More water. Have bike checked before the race to get shifting correct.

I took my time and drank most of the second water bottle I brought along but didn't put on my bike. I hoped this would help me on the run. It was getting very hot and the sun was just blazing.

Nothing.

I knew this was going to be painful, I just thought the pain would begin later than it did. I was trying to run slow and make it to the first water station because I was dying to drink some water (my coke concoction was too sweet). I made it about 1/2 mile and then my quads cramped and would not let up. I stopped and tried to stretch, but it didn't matter. I began walking and saw my wife soon after. She saw me walking and knew something was wrong. I told her I was dehydrated and cramping. She said a water station was just ahead and I began walking to it. I got to the station and drank about 4 waters. I almost instantly felt a little better and so I tried running. I made it about 100 yds and then I cramped again and so I walked again. This continued through the next 2 water station. And by the fourth I finally felt good enough to run the entire distance to the next water station. I would get there and then drink 2 waters and 2 gatorades. It was really hot and there isn't much shade, but I wanted to just be done and finish in under 3 hours. So I kept checking my stopwatch to calculated how much time I had. By the time I got near the finish line I was still running, but I was dangerously close to talking myself into just walking. I saw my wife about 100 yes from the finish and gave her a half assed wave and then trudged to the finish.

Nothing at this point. I think everything went as good as possible considering my dehydration on the bike.

I walked through the finish area but all I wanted to do was get in some shade. The finish area is out in the street and I was to the point I had chills from probable heat exhaustion and dehydration. I didn't even get my free beer, but got a couple ice cold towels to cover my head and shoulders. I grabbed a water bottle and Gatorade bottle, and I quickly down both. I exited the finish area and stood in the shade as I waited for my wife.


Lack of fluids/training


The race was good overall. I think the bike portion was somewhat dangerous. The blame is on the racers for not going to the pre-race meeting and not reading through the rules. In each instance it was clearly emphasized passing was to be done on the right and blocking was illegal. I think an announcement before the race when everyone is setting up transition areas would be a good idea. Just a reminder of the passing rules. That's my only bad thing to say about the race. Besides that it was pretty cool to race up and down Lakeshore Drive and through the harbor and down the trail. This is a great beginner race if you are nervous about the swim. The sea wall is always close so you can navigate easily and for the sprint you can hold onto the wall at any point to catch your breath or calm your nerves. I highly recommend it.