Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Great swimming. Was one of very few people without wetsuit. Water was fine. Way faster than I thought I would be. My big problem was just going straight. When I could, I would follow people, esp faster ones, and keep an eye on their feet and bubbles. I thought the faster swimmers would be swimming straight. Sometimes it worked. Its tough when you bang someone then have to recover and start going again.

Dont know. Was pleased. Maybe work on sighting and swimming straight in open water.

So far from swim. Didnt run, wanted to take things easy.

Faster to bike.

Riding on LSD always a blast. Road sucked, but you could avoid or jump most all the holes. Saw many flats and mechanicals. Saw many people who couldnt ride---one woman almost took me out when she started fishtailing and went down while trying to put back her water bottle. Wind going north sucked, but you could fly south. Great ride. Passed many people. Took it easy on 2nd southbound leg so I could have some legs for the run. Had gel as soon as I got on bike, power bar about 1/2 way point then another gel right before the end to fuel up for run. Drank 2 bottles of gatorade.

Nada

Was OK, very calm and not winded coming off bike. Changed shoes and did some stretching. Walked from Bike to Run course.

Nothing. Have to stretch.

Was hard. Very hard. It was also hot, but could have been a lot worse. Hamstrings were tight. First mile felt like mile 22 of marathon. Legs were dead, had cramp/side stich going. Stopped for bathroom at portajohns by swim start, then kept running though. Eventually side stich went away around mile 1.5 or so. I walked thru aid stations--Gatorade to drink, Water over head. Couple little walk breaks throughout. Finally saw around Mile 3 or so that I was doing about 10 or 11 min miles and if I just pushed a little and held pace I would have a chance at breaking 3 hours for the whole race. Just couldnt do it though.

More bricks? Stretch more often? Longer training runs? Dont know. Did probably close to 8 or 10 bricks in training. Maybe do more and longer.

The whole thing was really cool. Great 1st time experience. Only let down was the clusterfuck getting back to and into transition area after the race. Must train more and harder for next year to break 3 hours.