Danskin Women's Triathlon - Chicagoland - TriathlonSprint

I was a bit nervous about the swim after my questionable experience with breathing issues in lake michigan last week. I sat myself near the middle back assuming that people would book-it in front of me giving me some space. While the water was comfortable I still had some minor gasping issues with breath, and it was hard to find my grove because of it. The crowd never seemed to thin out much until the last 5 minutes. I kept getting stuck behind a backstoker. My navigation was a bit sucky as I bounced from one side to the other. It was bright out so I ended up sighting off of swim caps rather then the markers. I thought the swim went below-par but was shocked seeing 20mins on my watch coming out. Over all about where I expected to be in the rankings given the number of people I saw that weren't strong swimmers. I did get passed by some of the wave behind me and pretty much stayed at the back of my wave, but I wasn't alone.

Shaded Googles. My Pair broke as I was packing my transiton back. Would probably hang closer to the very back next time. I need to practice OWS and siting

Went fairly well surpised it took me this long as I did jog into my transition. Maybe because I threw on socks, shoes, and a shirt.

Make sure bike shoes are unbuckled.

WHAT? 190 out of 3650??? Thats just over the top 5 percent that's INSANE! Ieeee... I know there are a lot of beginners at this particular race, but WOW I was smokin'. I was trying to make up time since I know I'm a slow swimmer. The course was really nice plenty of room to ride and pass. I hate having to yell "on your left" especially when breathing that hard. I was passing LOTS of people and only a dozen or so passed me the whole time. I really probably pushed it faster then I should have, but I was having fun. For my next race I'll have to pace myself better since it's twice the distance. I actually was going faster then my average indicates as there was some wicked head wind the last 10 minutes were really strong.

Kick it down just a notch so my breathing wasn't so hard. I didn't poop out on this race but on a longer one I might. I would also put my second water bottle holder on the bike so I could reach it. I didn't drink on the course just before and after the bike at transition.

I knew I did well when I got back to transition and less the half the bikes were on the rack for my start wave (wave 19 of 35) I jogged in and out. Transition went smoothly... BUT the funniest thing happened. Luckily my husband was there to cheer me on at the run exit, but I LEFT MY HELMET ON. He got it on video. It's so funny. Him: Helmet Me: WHat? Him: Helmet Me: Oh Shhhitttezzz... Me: tosses helmet at husband

It was too Funny.

Um, helmet off. Yeah. Maybe Bring Gatoraid to drink at transition instead of the Sports Beans.

I was breathing fairly heavy (more then normal) coming out of transition it took me about 5 mins to calm down into normal breathing. The run was beautiful. I did get kinda over-warm at the end and started to get cold-chills. I only grabbed 2 cups at aid-station the whole way. I probably could have used more water. I felt like I was running just a bit slower then normal since I was tired but looked like I kept up a good pace better then average for me (5.25mph) I'm super proud I was able to run the whole way. I passed lots and lots of walkers but only a few runners.

Emergency Inhalor. Get one. Don't eat sports beans they are hard to eat while breathing hard. I probably should have used the shot blocks I brought instead, if I wanted nutrition.

Just a slow walk around the post-race activities and walk with my bike around the rather large transition area.


Need better breathing/sighting skills in OWS, Need to lose more weight so I can run faster.


I'm going to say I rate it a 5, only because it is my first race and it seemed very well orgainized, and I had a lot of fun. It was a very supportive envriment for beginners, and I didn't have issues with transport that some people did because I biked in from the outlet mall.

I'm VERY pleased with my time. Especially on the bike. I was hoping for 2 hours or less total, and I blasted that at 1:42:09. I think thats way respectable for a beginner... especially one who used to be 300lbs just over a year ago. I think I was in the top 32 percent... Probably won't be that way at Accenture as there are way more serious races there and not so many beginners attempt an International Distance. Just crazy ones like me.

I'm now a triathlete! WOO!