General Discussion Race Reports! » Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply

Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic - TriathlonOlympic


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Chicago, Illinois
United States
Capri Events
Overcast
Total Time = 3h 18m 26s
Overall Rank = 2702/3722
Age Group = F 30-34
Age Group Rank = 158/248
Pre-race routine:

Woke up at 4, ate a bagel and coffee, set up T area, waited around for 3 hours until my wave
Event warmup:

we couldn;t get in the water, I did some stretching and some sun salutes
Swim
  • 36m 40s
  • 1640 yards
  • 02m 14s / 100 yards
Comments:

this sucked. I forgot my wetsuit, which at first didn't bother me, I actually enjoy swimming sans wetsuit, but the water felt cold, and it was SO crowded and I got banged around a lot- my wetsuit would have made me feel safer, more bouyant, and I certainly would not have been scratched up so badly by swimmers fingernails! Unlike every other tri I've done, it NEVER thinned out, normally I can blast off and find a spot for myself but I immediately hit the wave in front and was quickly envoloped by the wave behind. I felt like this swim was WAY more agressive than usual.

The cool part was that for the last 1/2 mile, kathryn was running along side me the whole time
What would you do differently?:

uh, remember my wetsuit. Actually get at least a few swims in the 2 weeks leading up.

I must remember though, that my swim time includes over 1/4 mile run from exit to my bike... which I stumbled through
Transition 1
  • 02m 53s
Comments:

TOO CROWDED! The T area was enormous, and the bike racks were too close together, at least near me. I found my spot no problem thanks to a giant pine tree right in the midd.e of my rack, but that same pine tree was hard to get around. the actual T, getting on helmet and stuff was pertty good, it was the running with the bike that sucked
What would you do differently?:

??
Bike
  • 1h 26m 50s
  • 24.85 miles
  • 17.17 mile/hr
Comments:

Again, the time is screwy because of where the mats were relative to my bike and the giant T area. Pretty good speed for me, of course it was quite flat. I would have liked aerobars on this course. Hard not to draft. I was glad not to flat.
What would you do differently?:

My HRM might have helped me feel confident to push harder, I find it hard to push on the bike
Transition 2
  • 03m 13s
Comments:

Have I mentioned yet how hard it was to navigate the T area?? Actual T itself was smooth, but man, do I ever need to practice running with the bike. Cyclocross here I come.
What would you do differently?:

I might like to try and get some aerobars...
Run
  • 1h 08m 48s
  • 6.21 miles
  • 11m 05s  min/mile
Comments:

I always hate this part.. plus I hadn;t run in almost a month, for some reason I seem to think I am 19 again. I did a run 5 walk 1 ratio for the first 5 miles, and "ran" the last one. Saw a TNTer from Ohio about 500 yds from the end and we decided to finsih together. ITB hurt
What would you do differently?:

run more.
Post race
Warm down:

ate some protein bars ASAP and guzzled water. I was determined to stave off DOMS

What limited your ability to perform faster:

poor training, lack of mental toughness, cockiness.

Event comments:

Y'know- for a race this big, the volunteers and general race mgmt was excellent. I think I just concluded that I do not like big races. And that I need to take training a little more seriously if I intend to enjoy race day. There is no reason to race under the circumstances I out myself in. I must learn to value myself enough to give myself a chance at enjoying myself at the LEAST, and reaching my potential at best.




Last updated: 2006-06-13 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:40 | 1640 yards | 02m 14s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 1757/3722
Performance: Bad
Suit: NO!
Course: to the right 1/4 mile, back 3/4 mile
Start type: Deep Water Plus: Waves
Water temp: 72F / 22C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Average Remainder: Bad
Breathing: Good Drafting: Average
Waves: Navigation: Below average
Rounding: Below average
T1
Time: 02:53
Performance: Below average
Cap removal: Good Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike: Yes
Getting up to speed: Below average
Biking
01:26:50 | 24.85 miles | 17.17 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 2808/3722
Performance: Average
Wind: Some
Course: a very boring out and back along Lake Shore Drive. I did like the hairpin turns though! I love tight turns.
Road: Potholes Dry Cadence:
Turns: Good Cornering: Good
Gear changes: Average Hills: Good
Race pace: Comfortable Drinks: Just right
T2
Time: 03:13
Overall: Average
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike Below average
Racking bike Good
Shoe and helmet removal Good
Running
01:08:48 | 06.21 miles | 11m 05s  min/mile
Age Group: 0/248
Overall: 3023/3722
Performance: Below average
Course: pretty cool run course, actually- at first, kind of a dirt trail, then around the museums along the lakefront. quite flat
Keeping cool Good Drinking Too much
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race? No
Evaluation
Course challenge Just right
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 2

{postbutton}
2006-08-30 12:51 PM

User image

Champion
5183
5000100252525
Wisconsin
Subject: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic


2006-08-30 1:21 PM
in reply to: #526884

User image

Master
1732
100050010010025
Delafield, Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
I know your bummed about lack of pre-race training, but you had great race! (looks to me like you have plenty of mental toughness) The only downer is that you didn't enjoy yourself. The joy is what it is all about.
2006-08-30 1:21 PM
in reply to: #526884

User image

Champion
5495
5000100100100100252525
Whizzzzzlandia
Silver member
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Awesome job! That transition area is just GINORMOUS! There's no other way to describe it. And your T-times are great, given the huge area to traverse!

Be proud of yourself! I'm proud of you! Wish I could have been there. Maybe I'll do that race again next year.

And I just love the new avatar.

 

Whizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz 

 

 

2006-08-30 2:05 PM
in reply to: #526884

User image

Pro
4612
20002000500100
MA
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Oh my!  I thought Danskin was big. 

Swim start is always chaotic.  Great job in getting through it, without a wetsuit.  Nice bike splits.  I don't like the run either.  Killed my legs/butts. 

Nice race, and as I said before, you've done much better than many by just going to race!

2006-08-30 2:20 PM
in reply to: #526884

User image

Regular
80
252525
Madison, WI USA
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Nice RR. I wish I could swim like you. How about a lesson? Seriously! I didn't know you didn't have aero bars. I've got a set in my garage that have just been sitting there for a few years. Want em? We could trade for a swim lesson. Good job with the race, nice new avatar!
2006-08-30 3:34 PM
in reply to: #526927

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2006-08-30 11:11 PM
in reply to: #526884

Extreme Veteran
562
5002525
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Great race, Hollis! All that freaking out in your log last week, and you do fine anyway.

I'm with you on not liking the big races. It's just cool to do something that 3000 other people aren't doing.
2006-08-31 7:07 AM
in reply to: #526884

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
I think you did great!!  And be confident in your abilities.  I have confidence in them!
2006-08-31 8:56 AM
in reply to: #526884

Master
2052
20002525
Colorado
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Hollis --

Thank you for posting an RR even though I know you didn't really want to. I proud of you for going there and competing, even knowing that you could have done better.

Cause, I mean, whatever. Like we all haven't bagged a race one time or another. Kudos to just being out there; that's the first step.

2006-08-31 10:29 AM
in reply to: #526884

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Hey, Hollis...for self-proclaimed pre-race sabotage, you did pretty darn good!

I hear ya on big races...they can get scary!

2006-08-31 10:29 AM
in reply to: #526884

Veteran
251
1001002525
Burbs north of Chicago
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Nice job in sticking with it on what might not have been your best day.  Your swim is better than you are thinking/telling.  There was a wind blowing south that went into us for over 2/3 of the swim course.  I was quite dismayed when I saw my swim time (worse than yours) but I found out that everybody's swim times were elevated.  I think yours is better than you think.  As for the other parts, you learned what to do next time so that will help you in the future which makes the race a success.


2006-08-31 11:31 AM
in reply to: #526884

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Nice Job Hollis..and no 5 foot waves to deal with on the swim....its all good.  You run beat mine if it makes you feel anybetter   Hope you are feeling good post race
2006-08-31 12:56 PM
in reply to: #526884

Champion
5183
5000100252525
Wisconsin
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

you guys are all really nice. I am just a head case, I guess. Thanks

 

(PS- Bets- the swim is along side the shore line, so Kathryn was running along the dock, about 30 feet from me the whole time

2006-09-01 7:42 AM
in reply to: #527436

Crystal Lake, IL
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Congrats on toughing it out.  Reading your report was interesting because you mentioned just about every reason why I don't think I'll ever do that race.  Everyone I talk to about it says the same thing.  Too big, too many people. 

I can understand being part of an event that big, or bigger, for a marathon.  Triathlons are already logistical nightmares without the added pain of thousands of competitors fighting for space.  No thanks.

 

2006-09-01 2:47 PM
in reply to: #528495

Extreme Veteran
317
100100100
Geneva, Illinois
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Great race!!! I always enjoy reading the race reports when people actually take the time to write summaries...very cool, indeed...

Yes, the swim was sucky. I felt just like you; except I did have my wetsuit. How did you forget that??? Isn't it crazy what we can forget sometimes? I have done the same before and will probably do the same. It never did feel like it opened up; the constant banging of elbows and running into feet was getting a little annoying and finishing the swim was a milestone, I think, for everyone there. Did you also notice the nasty current that we had to press against on the way north? Ughh! The way down seem to go so fast...then the way back seemed to take forever.

Now...I've heard the same thing about the race being too BIG and TOO MANY PEOPLE, etc, etc...but that is one element that made this race soooo exciting. The sheer magnitude of it all was just awesome. Besides the swim, it was clear sailing for the rest of the race. I thought I would feel the same as a lot of people that warned me about it being "too big"...but, no question about it...I will do this race again. This might be the one race that I plan on doing EVERY summer. So, Hangloose...I wouldn't dismiss Chi-Tri so easily. Yes, the competition was tough, there were a lot of people, and the Transition area was "GINORMOUS"...who wrote that? Ha....(I got totally lost in the T1 area...look at my T1 time..it was almost 6 minutes!!! Terrible!) That makes me want to do it again, so that I can see if I improve.

BTW...what is "DOMS?"

Great report and great race!!! I was impressed by all your times...very nice.
2006-09-01 7:57 PM
in reply to: #526884

Member
8

Illinois
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
Great race report! I think you did a fantastic job, even with the obstacles you faced (forgot wetsuit, etc). I did the sprint distance this year, and hope to do the olympic distance next year.

Nuorder - DOMS means Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness.


2006-09-01 8:48 PM
in reply to: #526884

COURT JESTER
12230
50005000200010010025
ROCKFORD, IL
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

Nice race young lady!!!

2006-09-01 11:26 PM
in reply to: #526884

Champion
19812
50005000500020002000500100100100
MA
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic

You did well all around when worried about lack of training. You were faster than me on the run (plus I ran 50 miles last month) and just ran....so be proud!

Nice bike time....sounds challenging with large transtion.

Swimming in a crowd without a wetsuit...amazing!

I too do not like large races and about 600 is my limit. Not sure I could ever do St. As or a Danskin race...I'm even thinking of a non-IM IM distance race with less than 200 people in the future....feels better to me. 

I think many of us are head cases me included! We need to learn to accept ourselves and not beat our selves up as Sue would say. I'm making progress finally with this.

 

2006-09-02 10:20 PM
in reply to: #526884

Extreme Veteran
475
100100100100252525
Blaine, MN
Subject: RE: Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic
congrats.  i hate crowded swims..   must have been a huge race ..  running aroudn the muesem sounds cool.. The Shed aquairium is very cool.. from what I remember..
General Discussion-> Race Reports!
{postbutton}
General Discussion Race Reports! » Accenture Chicago Triathlon - Olympic Rss Feed