Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

OK as was the case last year it's way too crowded to get any rhythm really going. The first 200-300 yards sucked. I was sure I was going to have to quit after getting swam over and swimming over people, getting kicked, elbowed and generally molested. Once I rounded the buoy back north it was OK until the fast guys from the next wave rolled over me. Then at the end the fast guys from the FOLLOWING wave sent me tumbling. Ugh. And some jackass grabbed my leg and held onto it. I, of course, returned the favor.

I need to take some swim lessons somewhere. I'm SO incredibly slow. I realize, though, that I just can't swim faster without training.

F***ing wetsuit would NOT come off! I mean I ended up having to finesse it off. It took forever! And of course it was muddy in transition so I had to clean my feet before even trying to put on my socks. Sucked all around.

Body Glide. Body Glide. And, oh yeah, Body Glide!

Good bike for me. I was hoping to average 20 mph but fell short. Not sure why, exactly, perhaps I'm just slow.

Nothing. It all goes back to training. RIDE LOTS! Really I'm very happy.

I just took my time. I ate a couple of packets of GU and drank some water and some Gatorade. Took off the bike shoes and threw on the run shoes. PRetty simple and relaxing.

Move quicker.

OK knock about 2:30 off this time because I had to stop to use the men's room -- a portajohn about mile 2. I just couldn't hold it and figured I'd rather just go than do permanant bladder damage! Run was OK. At mile 4 my quads started cramping. At mile 6 they went into full lockdown, and that slowed me, but who the f*** gives up with 2 miles left, much less 2/10 of a mile???

Take some of those pills that prevent you from cramping. Midol, is it? I should've pushed myself a little more. My legs were starting to give out and I didn't want a repeat of Elkhart Lake.

Drank water and Gatorade, ate a bagel and a banana and went and got my bag and bike.


Sucking at swimming and cramps during the run. I guess I have to resign myself to the fact that without committing more to the sport I'll always be a near-3-hour finisher. And I"m OK with that!


The only thing I didn't like was thee were no volunteers during transition setup and some of the wave racks were hard to find. Not mine, but several people wandered around forever.