Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

The swim time is a bit amiss based on the fact that there was a quarter mile run after the swim exit. I did the swim based on my watch in 30:32 which is good based on the fact that it was my first OW race

Practice more OWS. Start having someone in my pool sessions, swim into my lane, kick me, grab my arm, then get back into thier lane.....then repeat.

Not bad considering the distance. I guess my theortitcal time was about 6 minutes because of the run to T1. I was fortunate to have a rack right on the main paths, so there was not a lot of running up and/or down racks and racks. I probably could have shaved 30 seconds off by concentrating more and not 'thinking ahead' to what's upcoming....just focus on the task at hand.

I think I have the hang of transitions, so there was not much else that I would do differently.

The first 6 or so miles (before the turn to head south) were rough because of the strong head wind. The first turn around heading south was great. Going north, I was averaging 14 to 15 mph....coming back I was hitting 25mph. When I got to the TA to head back north, my chain popped off and when I picked the bike to move it to the side, the back tire fell off (rough roads combined with not being tight enough????). Out of no where, another racer stops and says "let me help you with that". 3 minutes later, I was back on the road. Without him, I would have had to either walk my bike another 12 miles to finish or get the dreaded DNF. I told the guy that he didn't have to do that and how greatful I was....but he just helped me, showed me how to fix it next time, and rode off. I honestly don't know what I would have done without him.

Invent a shield that block the wind. Learn to fix own bike (one of the first things that anyone should know how to do). I will spend some time this off season taking apart/reassembling my bike.

The last 1/2 mile I tried something new and began to stretch on the bike. Quads, Hammys, hips, calves, etc. I didn't get the dreaded 'bike legs' when I dismounted. My rack was very near bike in/out so I didn't have to go too far (run out however was on the complete opposite side of the T-area). The guy next to me had taken up 2 to 3 spaces when he racked his bike to I had to move his bike but other than that...it was a good transition.

Not much. Again...could have shaved a few seconds off by being more efficient, but no complaints.

First mile and a half were decent. Still had the little 'shuffle' going on but there were a lot of spectators around so I couldn't walk (plus I didn't know where my jock-strappers were and didn't want them to see me walking). Around mile 2.5, my legs started cramping causing me to walk/slow up. I was trying to walk/run while rubbing by hands up and down my quads.....started to feel a little better. Around mile 3 I found some 'pace booty' who was pacing at 10:09. I kept up with her until 4-ish....started walking....caught back up.....started walking. The cramps subsided and I got into a good zone and kept it until the finish. On the back side of the run, the pros were passing going in the opposite direction. WOW......Matt Reed was F-A-S-T... My goal at that time was to not get passed by them and I didn't. Overall, it was a decent run, as I am NOT a strong runner at all

Drink more on the bike and at the first water station. I had never cramped up during training or in a race. That was a first.

Beer tent for 2 cold ones, stretched, found my posse, collected the bikes and road back to my cousins (additional 5 miles). Packed up, went to the airport and flew home to DFW......while it was great to do my first OLY and in a GREAT city......it was great to be back in GOD'S COUNTRY.......TEXAS!


Lack of run speed. This was my first OLY ever (5th race overall). This is my first year of tris and will be the last of the season. I'm going to do a half-mary training plan beginning 9/1/08 and run the White Rock Half in December. This will hopefully help me gain more speed/endurance on the run (which has always been my limiter)


Looking forward to Accenture 2009!