Late Wave of the Chicago Triathlon

Slow groups like who?  Are there fast people in other age groups?  What about the slow people in your age group?  If your age group went first in Oly distance, the slow people in your age group would slow down fast people in other age groups.  It's part of the sport.  Really?

What do you think the pros feel like when they start there wave at 11:30?  The people in your age group slow them down?  I have to agree with Afletcher.  The bike route is big enough to accomodate all the bikers, swim no problem, running path will be clear of walkers.  No worries.

how about seeing people with there finisher medals before you even start?

if your not super fast like you seem to be going last is pretty cool in some ways.  You get to be passed by pros which is cool.

Well each year its pretty random.  I think they try to mix it up and not chase people away because of wave placement.

spirits will be long done before you even start.  A lot of oly people will be done also.  Bike is not that crowded either but remember everyone in your division has to deal with the same people as you do.  It really is fair for the most part.  Maybe not as idea for top 200 but tris tend to be about age/groups and not overall anyways.

I am also doing the Chicago tri and am surprised the younger age groups are going last. You have to think it would make more sense to start with the younger age groups who, on average, are going to be faster than the older guys. I'm not too worried about it though.

And as for the pro's, they start about two hours after all the AG waves, so they won't be held up by any of the AG'ers.

I think it's silly to generalize speediness of age groups in such a huge race.  There's going to be fast and slow people in all of them.

I feel ya in terms of having to set up transition at 4:30, then wait 5 hours to race.  That part sucks, but I think you probably knew there was a chance of that happening when you signed up.

Someone has to go off late, it's no more fair to make it a "slow" age group than a "fast" age group.  In the 3 years I did the race, I was very late to go off twice, and earlier once...I've now stopped doing it as an "A" race because I can't take that uncertainty, the waiting and everything screwed with me way too much.

What I've found is this really isn't a race where you should be expecting too much...there are so many factors that can screw with you and undermine your training, it can be very frustrating.  Like you said, the swim and the bike course can be very crowded...the road can be very rough and dangerous at times (i was always just happy to finish without a flat), a LOT of other bikers either don't understand the passing rules or care about the passing rules because it's a free for all out there, and the heat can be much more than you expect if you're in a late wave vs. an early wave.

Of course a lot of those are factors in many races, but this one seems to converge them all into one giant cluster-f of an event that is best done for fun than as a serious competition where you're looking to see where you're at as a triathlete.  Just my opinion.  Good luck out there.

11,000 people racing! That's crazy!

An email went out yesterday with an athlete info packet PDF to download.

I agree with what everyone has said here too.  I am actually in THE LAST wave on Sunday!  I have done this 3 other times and have had early starts and another late start.  Even though everything is crowded, I never really find it slowing me down at all, besides trying to find your stuff in the transition!

It's a great race though in a great city.  So you just have to enjoy it!  Good luck on Sunday!

See, triathletes aren't THAT egocentric!

In my experience age has very little to do with performance especially from 18-60,,,,,,when i was in the 35-39 i was towards the top of the MOP and in duathlons FOP.....now that I am in the 40-44 I am MOP at best, maybe even the bottom of the MOP.......so you cant judge by age alone

If they get in your way swim, bike, and run around them

The largest in the world is actually in London (the Virgin Active London Triathlon) with over 14,000 entrants.  It was a bit of a logistical nightmare, but a really fun race to do! 

I was in the third to last wave last year (56 of 58, I believe).  I was 204th overall, and it was my first Olympic.  I don't recall getting held back by the crowd.  Yes, it will be crowded (especially the bike course), and it is a bit confusing for some to ride on the left instead of staying to the right.  However, I think you'll find you will still be able to hold your pace pretty well. 

The conditions of Lake Shore Drive were more of a concern than the number of people on the course. 

Good Luck, have fun. Even though it is super crowded, it is still a very fun race and I really enjoyed watching all the waves in front of me swim and run.

WOW.  Gee thanks guys, that was SUPER helpful.

 If I'm living up to all the bad stereotypes about triathletes, well,

If the shoes fits...

I was disappointed to see this post.  I know you didn't get the advice you were looking for.  I know you must have trained for this race hard, and anticipated an "A" race out of it, and to find you were going to be close to last must be infinitely frustrating.  And one of the frustrating points is that you might not be able to tell who is in your age group!

As a 30-34 female, I'm typically one of the last waves in races that cater to the "fast waves."  It's REALLY nice, because I usually start at the back of the pack anyway when I race, and I get to pass people during the race.  Granted, I'm usually doing longer races (i.e. HIM and marathons), but it's a good feeling to pass a ton of people.

Either way, you asked a question in a forum where you've got a lot of smart, experienced, OPINIONATED triathletes, then you came back with an ugly answer when you didn't like what they said?

So, here's how you handle passing "slower" triathletes in the other age groups...

You sight when you're in the water and try not to run over anyone.  It's going to be a washing machine.

You say "on your left" when you pass people on the bike.  Enjoy it, it really is a good feeling!

Watch out on the run, but "on your left" works well here too.  I imagine this might be where it bottlenecks for you and the rest of your age group, but this is where you should really look good by passing everyone in front of you.

You should finish the race feeling pretty good about yourself.  You'll be passing people from the moment you start.  Enjoy it!  This probably won't happen often!