Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

An OK swim. Hadn't swam in a week because of a nasty cold and was still recovering from said cold. Kind of slopped through all the people for 200 meters or so, then got into open water. Everyone was in a wetsuit but me and one other guy that swam next to me for most of the race.

No cold the week prior, more training etc...

Jogged the long path to transition. Didn't rush but didnt waste too much time either. No problem finding my bike.

Not worried about this.

This was a lot of fun. The first loop I did very fast. Coming back the tailwind plus mostly downhill made it easy and fast. The 2nd loop I developped a debilitating headache. That combined with the headwind really slowed me down. I have never had a migraine before, but this felt kind of like the beginning of what one may feel like. At the last turn around I was considering coasting in on the bike and stopping but then I decided to readjust my helmet and it went away. Almost immediately. Apparently my helmet was too tight on my head. By shifting it slightly it helped everything. So off I was!

I had planned to shut down on the run and just enjoy myself. The last 2 months had been a layoff on the running due to some left Achilles heel tendonitis, so I knew I wouldn't be in any shape to push the run. I got lots of water and made sure I finished.

1.A cold a few days before.
2.left heel tendonitis.
3.A summer that slightly derailed my training plans.


Wow, A great race. It lived up to its reputation for being well organized and fun. I am planning on racing it next year now.