Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Sprint Distance - TriathlonSprint

A LOT better than 2006, and probably my strongest swim so far in a race yet. I'm sure to others it may not appear strong, but I felt strong, and that's all that matters. I got jostled around a little, but I just kind of swam away from it rather than getting rattled.

Goggles were good...didn't fog up or get water in them.

I started in the middle of the pack, all the way to the right. Did swim "off" to the left a couple of times, but don't think that was a big deal.

TIME OFF FROM 2006: 3:13

Just keep doing what I am doing, not get distracted in there, and I KNOW I can cut time off from this the more I practice, and the stronger I get in the water.

MUST practice a lot in off season, and not slack on swim training.

When I got to the grass after I ran across the timing mat, I finished pulling off the rest of the wetsuit (it was already more than 1/2 way down) and it came off pretty quick. I then had to run all the way through transition to get to my bike, and we had a pretty sweet spot, right by the bike out, literally, I was just feet from it, so even though I just had a bit of a run to get there, no biggie.

Threw the suit, goggles/cap, and threw on helmet, glasses, skirt, then shoes, and off I went. Going sockless rocks.

TIME OFF FROM 2006: 0:35 (every little bit helps!)

Nothing...considering how far I had to run, think this time was ok.

AWESOME BIKE!!! I wanted to go out hard, and I did. Going North, the wind did get to me a little, but I just tried as best I could to muscle through it. I stood up and went hard over every "hill" (for those of you not familiar with Lake Shore Drive, that means over pass...ha!)

You were to pass on the right, and I am going to be honest, I was in the right about 80% of the time...I really wanted to have a strong bike, and as my last race of the season, I just wanted to "go hard, or go home."

After the turn around, we had the wind at our backs, and from time to time I would glance down at the cateye, and it was in the 20's every time I looked, and I got the biggest smile on my face...I wanted to hammer this bike, and I was achieving my goal...I knew I had to have one of the best bike splits in my AG because I never quite know what happens on the run with my stomach pain.

My other "super secret" goal was to not let ANY females pass me on the bike, and I achieved that too...only 2 dudes passed me, which was fine by me.

Made sure to not spend ALL my time in the aero bars, think I did a better job of this than last weekend in PP....so I was hoping this would keep the stomach at ease. I also didn't take in a powergel either, but I was still feeling strong, and I have to be honest, I really just wanted nothing to "upset" my stomach, so I left it in bento box.

TIME OFF FROM 2006: 7:29 (WAHHHHHOOOOO) (GUESS THE NEW BIKE HELPED!!)

ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!

One wardrobe malfunction of sorts though, the skirt, not good. I am pretty sure my rear end was exposed on some of the bike (albeit I did have my swim bottoms on, so it's not like I was trying to be Janet Jackson or anything), but with the wind, and the fact that this skirt didn't have the little shorts under it, a little breezy. Also, since no little bike short, coming out of the swim, and onto the bike, I felt I was slipping a little when I first was peddaling up the ramp at Randolph.

I added time here from 2006, since back then I didn't have bike shoes yet, so all I did was rack my bike, take off my helmet and go.

Overall, I think this transition was fine. Didn't have to grab race belt since # was already attached to my skirt.

TIME OFF FROM 2006: +0:13


Nothing

NO PAIN! NO PAIN! NO PAIN!

Stomach felt strong on the run so when I finished, I wondered if I should have tried to go all out, but I think I just wanted to have a race where I had zero pain, so I didn't. See below, will practice this on the offseason.

TIME OFF FROM 2006: 0:08 (who cares, still faster, right?)

Learn whether or not when I have no pain, if I can go hard or if going hard will bring it on? It's almost like when I don't have any pain, I get too comfortable, and don't push it, and if I can pick up the pace without having the pain come on, then I should.

This is one of the biggest things I will practice on my offseason.

Got a cold ACCENTURE towel, and threw that on (with my white running top, I'm sure that was lovely) I was hot!

Pretty much went back to swim start to grab my gear check bag and call Jen to let her know that I dropped 11 minutes off from 2006, and I felt TERRIFIC!!!


Nothing


Will I bump up to the OLY next year???? Not sure...don't like the idea of waiting around until noon to start, and I sure love the early start time with the sprint. I also heard the swim and bike are really congested, so I may just stay with the sprint on this one, and do the OLY the weekend before at Pleasant Prairie since that seemed to work out pretty good.

The other positive thing about the sprint, we always get the best bike rack positioning within transition, so who wouldn't like that.

Since this is my last race this year (triathlon at least) I would like to do what Crowny2 did, and thank some people for all of their support.

First off would have to be my 3x IM sister...she was at 4 out of 5 races this year (told her to stay home for Accenture, too crowded) cheering me on, good and bad, and even with Accenture, I could tell how excited and proud she was of how well I had done. I couldn't have made it through, especially last weekend at my first OLY without her...

The others, like Crowny2 said, you know who you are...you guys really helped lift my spirits when I was down in the dumps, and you also really pushed me to keep fighting and HTFU!! This website is AMAZING, and I brag about it all the time! I am so lucky to have such wonderful people to call my TRIFRIENDS!!! THANK YOU!!! I really appreciate all of you!!

PEACE OUT HOMIES!!! :)