Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Distance - TriathlonOlympic

Started out in front along the right (water's edge) side, then made my way to the left just in time to round the bouy. There wasn't as much contact with other participants as I would have thought given the width of the swim lane. Constantly having to zigzag to aviod swimmers from others waves. I've never been nor probably ever will be comfortable in swimming over people, so finding a constant rhythm was difficult.

Push the swim a little more.

Long run to transition from end of swim. Not sure when swim time ended and transition time began. If the swim included a long portion of the run, then I'm very happy with my swim, but my transition time sucked. If the timing pad was placed shortly after the end of the swim, then I'm happy with my transition and feel only so-so about my swim.

Run to the correct side of the bike racks. Found my bike easily enough (thanks to whoever put the large mylar balloon on the tree), but was on the wrong side and eveything was out of reach.

Good bike for me. Would have liked to have averaged over 20, but am still happy. Road in poor condition and the headwinds on each leg heading north (I think) were pretty strong, but the tailwinds on the return legs were great. Tried to follow the rules by passing on the right and then staying in the left lane, but wasn't always possible. Got yelled at once (deservedly so) for being too far over in the right lane as a guy flew past me. On a couple of occasions, I was coming up quickly on someone, I looked to my right to make sure it was safe to move, and there was someone getting ready to pass me. Rather than slow down, I passed on the left. Sorry.

Bike more. Still learning. Have no idea about cadence, watts, etc.

Don't remember too much about T2. I think I waqs too concerned with the upcoming run.

?

Went just over 59 minutes in an Olympic in July, so I was hoping to go under 57. During that on I stopped and walked at all the aid stations. I started out doing that here also. At the first aid station I grabbed water, slowed to a walk, took ten steps and then said to myself, "What the hell are you doing? You're not tired yet." Managed to run the entire leg and still have a kick for a small sprint into the finish line, so I was happy.

Push it a little harder.

Walked with a friend to the picnic area and had a hamburger and a beer.


Same ol, same ol...need more time on the bike and more time running.


Based on the Olympic I did in July, I was hoping for a time under 2:52. The bike on this was shorter, and I thought I could do all three legs a little faster due to the flatness of Chicago and the change in altitude from Boulder to Chicago. In my dreams I had hopes of breaking 2:50, but I did not see that as a realistic goal. When I caame within view of the finish line, and I saw my time, I was shocked, even more so given the size of transition. Very happy with race. I had a great weekend with lifelong friends, and I see this becoming a tradition for us in the years to come.
Also, I wore a balck and gold CU Buffs cycling shirt for the race. A lot of cheer and support for Colorado, CU, and the Buffaloes as I ran by, which helped tremendously.
Could not have asked for a nicer day. The weather in Chicago at the end of August could have just have easily been 90+ degrees, so I thankful for a sunny 70 degree day.