Chicago Triathlon August 28, 2022
DIVISION: 15/63
GENDER: 149/681
OVERALL: 910/2455
Before the race I texted my family my estimated race finish times based on my limited training, to help them spot me on the course and I hit every single one:
GENDER: 149/681
OVERALL: 910/2455
Before the race I texted my family my estimated race finish times based on my limited training, to help them spot me on the course and I hit every single one:
Swim: 31-35 minutes
Bike: 1 hr 20-30 minutes
Run: 54-60 minutes
0.9 MILE SWIM: 34:52 DIVISION: 27/63
TRANSITION 1: 8:04
BIKE: 1:20:08 ( 18.57 MPH AVERAGE) DIVISION: 11/63
TRANSITION 2: 0:3:58
RUN: 55:10 DIVISION:15/63
0.9 MILE SWIM: 34:52 DIVISION: 27/63
TRANSITION 1: 8:04
BIKE: 1:20:08 ( 18.57 MPH AVERAGE) DIVISION: 11/63
TRANSITION 2: 0:3:58
RUN: 55:10 DIVISION:15/63
TOTAL: 3:02:08
LOCATION: Downtown Chicago, IL
WEATHER: Water Temp was low 70s, the early morning temps were 60s outside but warmed up to 80s and hot by the time of the run
CLOTHING: Epix Triathlon Kit, Xterra Long Sleeve Wet Suit (Would prefer sleeveless, but that's what I own), Speedo Vanquisher Goggles
RACE GOAL: This is my first Triathlon since 2017, my simple goal was to finish the race. My stretch goal was to be under 3 hours.
ACTUAL RACE FINISH: 3:02:08
TRAINING PLAN: I did not use a training plan for this race, I have generally been running and strength training all year. In addition to running and strength training, about 3 months out I would swim once a week and try to bike every other week. 2 months prior I realized I needed my triathlon specific training, so I targeted 2 swims, 2 bikes and 2 runs each week; including a bike/run brick workout. I never swam more than 1600 years, my bikes would be around 1-1.5 hours and I would run 4-5 miles. I felt a little under prepared, but raced better than expected. Considering my prior Olympic distance race was 9 years ago and only 10 minutes faster than this race time, I was very happy with how I performed with limited training. (Note: I have many prior experiences with triathlon and endurance racing, I do recommend having a training plan of some type)
RACE NUTRITION: Liquid Skratch Superfuel mix, I put 200 calories in a water bottle and sipped through the bike ride. In addition I used honey stinger chews on the bike to ensure I had enough nutrition in me to fuel the run. I had nothing with caffeine until later in the run when I had a caffeinated gel, I think about half way through. Knowing it was humid and going to be hot for the run, I also started using base salt on the bike, about ever mile and I continued base salt on the run, using it about every mile right before aid stations. My nutrition planned worked and I had no issues. I recovered post race immediately with a protein shake and that helped my recovery in the coming days, I felt better than expected.
RACE DAY EXPERIENCE
PRE-RACE
I dropped my bike off in transition the day prior to the race, we could not leave anything else in transition. This race is logistically huge, my family raced the kids triathlon and super sprint on Saturday so we arrived Friday to check in and that was good. The line for checking in on Saturday was huge, we were able to relax more.
Note: Transition set-up is by wave/age group and it's first come, first serve. Folks who arrived race morning had a difficult time finding a spot. I did my bike drop off relatively early on Saturday and found a great spot near the end rack and closer to the bike in/out area.
Pre-Race meal was a small Italian restaurant that makes homemade pasta, so you know it's good.
RACE MORNING
Breakfast, I always eat the same thing, a white bread sandwich with just a small amount of PB and J, banana, applesauce and some sport drink. I limit myself to one cup of coffee.
I arrived transition on race morning a little before 5am to bring in the rest of my gear, transition closed at 5:45am. One thing I would do different, is I would walk from the bike in to my bike spot right before transition closed.
One note: We stayed in a hotel in downtown, parking was very limited, the hotel was still a mile to transition, so my family dropped my off to eliminate all that walking. After transition set-up, we did have to walk quite a ways to the swim start. You can check a bag at the swim start and then pick this up at the race finish.
As I was setting up, I met a girl name Angie, also there by herself, so she and I hung out until the race began. She had a mountain bike, so anyone truly can do this race!
0.9 MILE SWIM
The Swim was located in Monroe Harbor, protected but still very choppy. As I set up transition, I could see the sail boats sitting in the harbor and the wave movement was significant at 5am. The swim can be my weakness, my preparation included only swimming about twice a week the past 2 months and no more than 1600 yards, so I did have limited training. I was unable to have a practice swim in the open water, so I have not been in the open water swimming since 2017. Thankfully I don't have any psychological problems with swimming in the open water, I just go do it, slow and consistent. Overall the beginning of the swim was more smooth and the end was extremely choppy and unenjoyable. Nothing major happened, I stayed steady and focused and completed the swim with the freestyle stroke without any issues. The turn boy was crowded so I did lift my head up to get out of that area but kept on after that.
24.8 MILE BIKE RIDE
The bike began on Lakeshore Drive, which I thought was going to be nice, straight and power time. That portion of the bike course ended up being rough road, a number of people had flat tires, so I ended up riding with more caution. My first 7.5 miles I managed a 19.83 average pace, we did have a little wind behind us to give us a push, as you'll notice my next 7.5 miles was a 17.56 average pace. After riding into the wind we got on to some underground tunnel roads in downtown Chicago, no wind factors and I was able to dig and pick up the pace, this was fun! I was focused a the beginning of the ride and then when I hit the tunnels. The wind was hard!
24.8 MILE BIKE RIDE
The bike began on Lakeshore Drive, which I thought was going to be nice, straight and power time. That portion of the bike course ended up being rough road, a number of people had flat tires, so I ended up riding with more caution. My first 7.5 miles I managed a 19.83 average pace, we did have a little wind behind us to give us a push, as you'll notice my next 7.5 miles was a 17.56 average pace. After riding into the wind we got on to some underground tunnel roads in downtown Chicago, no wind factors and I was able to dig and pick up the pace, this was fun! I was focused a the beginning of the ride and then when I hit the tunnels. The wind was hard!
All in all, the bike course was most challenging due to the poor road conditions on Lake Shore Drive. There were many people on the course but I felt like it wasn't as crowded as I expected. Don't get me wrong, there were people everywhere but that's what you get with a race this size. I was still able to pass folks as needed, only a couple spots where it was more difficult. There were some tight turns, but I don't ride super aggressive so it was fine.
I got lost on the bike in due to poor signage and transition was huge, so I probably added an extra 2 minutes. In the future I need to walk from the bike in to my spot right before the race begins. Transition looks different with everyones bike there than it did the day prior when I dropped off my bike. There were bathrooms on the way out of transition if needed. Transition was huge, I chose to put my bike in a spot that was as close to the bike in and out as I could, less running in transition with my bike was helpful.
6.2 MILE RUN
The run was hot and I had to dig deep to find the strength to push through it. I knew I had the proper nutrition so it was a mental game the whole time. My focus was to run strong and have quick feet and don't stop. I did slow down and walked a little on the aid stations, which seemed to be every mile, I knew I needed to ensure I was getting enough and proper nutrition and hydration so I wanted to be sure I did that. There were small hills, nothing too big.
I didn't worry our over think my pace, my only mindset was to run strong and only slow on the aid stations. Looking at my breakdown, I feel like I met that goal and managed a consistent run.
MILE 1 8:55
I got lost on the bike in due to poor signage and transition was huge, so I probably added an extra 2 minutes. In the future I need to walk from the bike in to my spot right before the race begins. Transition looks different with everyones bike there than it did the day prior when I dropped off my bike. There were bathrooms on the way out of transition if needed. Transition was huge, I chose to put my bike in a spot that was as close to the bike in and out as I could, less running in transition with my bike was helpful.
6.2 MILE RUN
The run was hot and I had to dig deep to find the strength to push through it. I knew I had the proper nutrition so it was a mental game the whole time. My focus was to run strong and have quick feet and don't stop. I did slow down and walked a little on the aid stations, which seemed to be every mile, I knew I needed to ensure I was getting enough and proper nutrition and hydration so I wanted to be sure I did that. There were small hills, nothing too big.
I didn't worry our over think my pace, my only mindset was to run strong and only slow on the aid stations. Looking at my breakdown, I feel like I met that goal and managed a consistent run.
MILE 1 8:55
MILE 2 8:56
MILE 3 8:51
MILE 4 9:02
MILE 5 8:53
MILE 6 9:02
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Chicago Triathlon was a large race with a lot of pomp and ceremony to it. There are many logistics to factor when considering this race but I enjoyed the experience and would consider doing this race again.
