Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

The swim went well, much better than the last few swim sessions before my taper. This being my second year doing this race, I had a much improved management of navigation and expectations of swimming with thousands of people. I came in 1:00 faster than last year, so my race started well. Good thing the raw sewaged dumped into the lake from the rain two days prior did not create any floating obstacles ;-)

More pool time, but all things being equal I came out of the lake at 29:00 so that matched my training times and no strange rashes from the nasty harbor water - that's a plus!

This trasition was tough due to slipper hill and trying to get to the racks. Still, the suit came off ok and I was running for the bike start as well as I could. My time was not great but considering I had to run around the rack due to a pine tree blocking the route I would have taken, that cost me about 20 seconds.

Nothing, this went as well as I could.

My biking has been a work in progress since I started triathlons last year. Considering I averaged 19.5 mph last year and now at 21.6 mph I am very pleased. The pace was great, the road was rough and the marking of large (bike engulfing) potholes was not very well done. My biking went exactly to plan with enough gas for a hard run. The only downside to the bike is everyone being confused with what side of the road to be on. The right is passing due to this being the inside lanes of Lake Shore Drive. Also, there are many who go to pass without looking to see who's coming up behind - I am most was hit twice that way, grrrr...

Nothing.

This transition I wanted to nail and did. The conditions were rough with the mud, but I planned on a second pair of socks so I could run with the bike after my flying dismount (it was nice getting the ooo's, ah's, and golf-clapping in doing so). I did decide to crash through the pine tree this time, that saved time.

Nothing, practicing this transition all summer paid off.

I have never run this well in a triathlon. I paced it out well for the first 3.5 to 4 miles, then just after the turn I kicked it home. I am really happy with the run time and rank, that helped me out the most over last year. There is nothing like hearing your name as you come across the finish.

Nothing.

Usual bananas, coolmist sprayers, water, and light stretching.


I am very pleased with my performance. I need to keep focusing on the swim and bike more, but this was a great race.


Like last year, this is a fun race. With so many people, you need to expect some slow points on the bike and run but the venue is excellent and the race organizers have their act together. The prerace expo is good and everyone seemed to have a good time.