Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Seeded myself in the second line of starters, just a bit to the left, since it was going to be a left turn around the buoy. Horn sounded and we were off. One of the larger waves I've been in. 125 bodies, churning the water.

The first 100m was a bit crazy. Swam around quite a few bodies. Quite a few indeed. Next thing I know I've caught up to the back of the wave in front of me and that was with less than 1/2 the way through.

After the turn, I got into a great groove. Breathing every three strokes and then sighting every 15 strokes or so. I kept a great line the whole swim. Only having to change direction to swim around those that were slower.

I sighted the swim out only about 100-200 yards away and I started catching the wave 2 starts in front of me. This felt great. Just great. I caught a few more swimmers and the next thing I know, I'm at the turn buoy to turn in to the stairs out.

I kept my head down all the way till I swam into the stairs. The helpers helped me up "thank you" to each one as I went up, and I was done.

Out of the water and by the time I was 10 feet down the sidewalk I already had the wetsuit top off and down to my hips. Then ran down the side walk to the transition area. I think it is about 1/4 mile run. I'm really happy with the swim time. That time, WITH that run on it. I smoked it.

Best

Swim

Ever

Nothing. Nothing at all. One of the best swims I've ever had.

Huge transition. Massively huge. Ran to my wave rack and then ran past my bike. DOH! That's ok. Only wasted about 20 seconds finding it.

Suit came off likety split. Glasses, helmet, watch and shoes, in that order, went on, back came off the rack an I was off. Over the timing mat (watch still acquiring signal) and pushed off.

Not the best running mount I've ever done. Actually missed it the fist time. Yep, missed the seat. Heh, so I had to do it again, and almost missed it the second time. Got on the seat, clipped in the left choe, got moving and the second one in and I was off.

Pay a bit more attention to where the bike was and take just a second more to mount the bike. I was too anxious and it showed. I can do better than that.

Went up the first ramp and got hit fully by the wind. This was going to be fun.

Tucked in and started pedaling. Started to think about how I would tactically attack this course. Knowing the wind was strong out of the North, and that was the first part out, I started to evaluate how my legs were feeling, how they were going to feel by doing a course 2x longer than I'm used to.

I was able to keep my speed around 18-19 while riding into the wind and my HR started in the upper 160's, but it started to drop quickly. However, at one point, I hit a pretty bad pothole (the course was riddled with them, including one that was filled with sand) and I heard something rubbing on the front tire.

Nooooooo! I reached down and checked the front brake. Barely touched it and the sound got worse. Oh crap. Pulled to the left, dismounted, double checked the front brake to make certain it was not rubbing. Spun the tire and it went freely. Phew! Remounted and took off. I've lost time!

Time to make some up. Tucked in again, and off I went. Made the first turn around (popped the second GU of the day) and knew that the tail wind was going to be in my favor. Still needing to avoid the pot holes, I got the speed up to 28-29 mph and was able to hold that for quite a while without having to push my HR up. Actually, it dropped even more (156-158) on the loop back in.

Passed tons of people. Easy to do when there were close to 5-6k people on the course. Was passed by my fair share of folks too. Including one hawt, super hawt pace booty from a wave before me. And there were a ton of flats too. I'm guessing I saw at least 2 dozen. I'm guessing pinch flats due to the pot holes. They were REALLY bad this year. Course littered with ejected bottles, ejected Profile Design puffs, I even saw someone's shoe cage and two different tubular tires that were ejected from someones rear holder. Not good. Not good at all.

Did the turn around to start the second loop and the wind was worse. Felt as if it picked up by another 5 mph. So again, tucked in and tried to keep it around 18-19 mph. Dropped down to 17mph on one hill going back out, but never let that happen again.

Made the far turn around again, let out a WOOT, and dropped the hammer. Still had some time to make up from the stop. The legs felt great. Better than I thought they would. HR was down where it needed to be. And I kept pedaling. Knowing I was already pushing my race limit. Already raced longer than I ever have before and still had the run to do.

Last hill up to the bridge and was only 1/2 mile from the end. HR still down where i wanted it. Popped my last GU about a mile back to make certain I was ready for the run. Reached down and started to undo my shoes. Feet were on top of them and then I made it to the hard turn around. Down the ramp, to the line, skidding stop and flying dismount. Into transition I go.

2 down. 1 to go.

Try to figure out the sound while still riding so as not to lose time.

Ran past the rack. DOH. Turned into the wrong row. Went al the way down before I figured it out. Turned back into the right row, then ran past my spot. Come on. Seriously. So I stopped. Took a deep breath. Relaxed, turned around and there it was, about 10 feet behind me.

Got to it, put the bike up, took the helmet off, and started to put on the socks. One was wet. WTF?!? That schmuck next to me must have put his wetsuit over the top and dripped all over my sho....... Oops, never mind, that was mine. Heh.

Anyway, got the socks on, shoes on, visor on, grabbed the belt and bib number and took off. Had the belt over my head and my number attached to it before I was out of transition, THAT's how big this transition is.

Breath and pay attention when coming into transition. Collect my thoughts and not rely on happening up my spot.

Started out strong. But I knew it was going to be hard. One of the hardest things I've ever done. I wouldn't be disappointed.

Came out of transisiton, wasn't too far along and there was Beth, Mum and Dan. Got high 5's from them and Beth told me then what my swim split was. Talk about a boost in adrenaline. Yes! And off I went.

Hit the first water station and just grabbed water to pour it over my head (thanks to the most recent article on this wonderful site). This would actually be the story of the day. At each and every hydration station, I would grab a Gatorade and a water. Gatorade for the tummy and water for the body.

First mile was good and strong. Probably too strong. 8:15 pace. So I pulled it back a little bit. Second mile, though felt good too. Down to about 8:30 pace. And then I passed McCormick and we were out of any shade what so ever and it started to go down hill.

Hit the 3 mile mark and I was starting to hurt. Pace was getting close to 8:45 and I knew that I was in trouble. Started to pick off people, but also start up conversations. Trying to keep my mind off of the pain I was in. Legs were leaden and getting heavier.

FINALLY. The turn around. Gave high 5's to the volunteers at the turn around and then I was running back North. Into the wind. Oh, thank the gods. That. Feels. Good!

Yeah, the head wind on the bike was a tail wind on the run and made it hot. Really hot. Especially out in the sun. Now that I was running into it, it felt good. But the damage had already been done. HR was creeping up and was solidly at 183. And I still had 2+ miles to go.

But I knew this was going to be faster. Before I knew it, I was on the back side of McCormick and then the back side of Soldier Field. Spectator support started to build. Cow bells here, clappers there. And now I was at the 6 mile mark. 1.2 miles to go.

And I was tired. I so wanted to stop and just walk. Just take a break. But with that little distance to go, it wasn't happening. Straightened up a little, lengthened the stride a little, and kept going. Rounded the back side of the Field Museum and knew I was in the home stretch.

Picked up the pace just a hair, to finish strong and down the hill, under LSD, up the hill on the other side, and turned right onto Columbus. There was the finish line. I had done it. Pulled a double arm flex to show off the guns for the camera's and heard my name announced as I crossed the line (even though they mispronounced it) and I finished. Hit the watch, collected my finishers medal and cold water soaked towel (oh that feels good) and went into the end.

Pull it back a bit at the beginning. Went out just a bit too fast. Other than that, I'm fairly happy with it.

Got water. Lots and lots of water. And a banana. And then tried to find the family. Never heard them at the finish (even though they were supposedly screaming their heads off when I crossed). So ate the banana, got more water, and then went back for a bagel. Happened to turn and look one direction and there they were.

Walked over to the fence to talk to them. I was beat. Tired. Beth then told my my total time. 2:45!!!! I couldn't believe it. I knew I was less than 3:00 but not by that much. I was still trying to get my HR down (still at 135 even up to 10 minutes later) and drinking. I gave Beth the bagel to hold cause I just wasn't hungry yet.

And then it hit me. I just just done a race and blew away my goal. I had pushed my body harder than I had ever pushed it before. I had completed a race that a fraction of a % of the general population have even tried.

I started to get a little emotional. It felt great.

I couldn't have gotten here without a few people to thank.

First and foremost, Beth. My wife. She has been a tremendous. Coaching me in the water and as I've progressed, on the bike and the run. Cheering me on, in races and in training. Counseling me through my tough races and training days. Being a teammate in an individual sport. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love you more than I could ever express in words.

Secondly, this web site. From the plans that helped me get ready physically, to the forums and articles that helped me get ready mentally.

Finally, and equally as important, are all those that have been inspiring me on my logs. All of you. You know who you are. You too, were in my mind in the race.


This was my first, and probably only Olympic distance. I think I did pretty good. Transition probably dropped my over all time by a few minutes, as well as the stop on the ride.


This race is well put on. For something this huge to be put on, and to be able to get it pulled off so well, and be so organized, is nothing short of amazing. And to do it each and every year, job well done.

That being said, I don't know if I will be doing this race again. First, it is so huge, it can be a bit of a pain just to participate. Plus, unless the city does something to fix the potholes on LSD, the bike just isn't worth it. And finally, I'm going back to Sprints and I just can't justify investing that much money for something that is turning out to be a bit more hassle than it is worth.

But if you haven't done it (I've done it twice), I would recommend it. If for anything, do it for the experience. It is something else.