Recap of the Chi-Tri
It's been a month and a half and a recap of my last triathlon is LONG overdue. I figured I better post a recap of the last adventure since the next adventure will start in 8 days!
The first YEAH is the Indiana Chicago Triathlon Team In Training Team raised over $40,000 to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
August 26, 2007 - We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day in the windy city. Upon arrival on Saturday there was concern of the swim portion being cancelled due to a sewage dumping into Lake Michigan on Friday. Officials tested the water several times and by Saturday night declared the water safe and the swim was on. Apparently the breakwalls of the Chicago Yacht Club blocked the sewage from entering our swim course.
My race day started at 3:15 am. I got up, finished packing my transition bag and headed to the lobby to meet up with the team. Before the crack of dawn we headed over to the transition area to choose our spots on the bike racks and set up our transitions. Everyone had to be out of the transition area by 5:45 since the race started at 6. I was out around 5:45 and headed back to the hotel to take a nap before my wave of participants started. The race started at 6 am and my wave was scheduled to start at 9:20! Mom, Dad and Aunt Ilene were just making it into the city as the sun was coming up and the race was starting. They watched the beginning of the race. I slept. :)
I met up with them and hung out in the shade for a couple hours. Then the time came. Time to put on the wetsuit and get in line. As my participants in my wave began jumping in the water, I didn't understand why everyone was screaming. Then I put my feet in the water. IT WAS COLD!!!!! I jumped in and tried to keep breathing deep. I wondered when I was going to feel my feet again.
And we're off! Once I got used to the water, the swim wasn't so bad. I was more tired than normal, but I was not panicing. About half way through the swim I spotted and heard Stu and Rosie yelling at me on the wall. I saw them meet up with Aunt Ilene and mom and point me out to them. If it wasn't for all them walking along the wall with me as I finish the rest of the swim, I don't think I would have made my target time. My goal was to finish the swim in less than 45 minutes. I looked at my watch as I exited the water and I did it in 39 something! My official time shows a longer time because the chip reader was 500 yards away at the transition area. YEAH for the swim!
The bike...Incredible! The beautiful day made the lake view an enjoyable one. You could see the sailboats out on the lake. Many times I had to make myself refocus on the road so I wouldn't hit a pot-hole or run into other cyclists. It was also fun to be moving faster than the vehicle traffic on Lake Shore Drive. My goal for the bike portion was to complete it in less than 2 hours. My official time was 1:36:24. YEAH for the bike!
The run...HOT! Time was approaching noon. I was a lot slower on the run than I wanted to be. I walked several portions of it. I tried to set a pattern...run to an aid station, walk for two minutes and then run to the next aid station. This approach to the course worked for a little while and then I just needed to walk for awhile. About mile 4 I ran pasted a fellow team member (it was an out anc back portion of the course). As I cheered this team member on, I also challenged him to catch me. This challenge meant I had to keep on running... No more walking now! The "no walking" was a definite decision as I started passing the professionals who were heading out on the course. They started 2 hours after me and I was not going to let them finish before me! I had about a mile left at this point and I kicked it into gear. I ran the rest of the way and finished before the professionals! I believe my goal was to average less than a 12 minute mile for the run. Officially, my average was 12:12. Not bad. I say YEAH to the run 'cuz I beat the professionals! :)
Once I ate some lunch and had my post race mocha frap, I was feeling pretty good. It was a great day and a great race! I'm contemplating doing it again next year. I'm also pondering a half-ironman for next year. Before I continue pondering such wacky things, I shall enjoy my next adventure.
The next adventure is a trip to Africa that happens in 8 days! To see details of this adventure, and postings from the team as we travel, click on the GKC Africa 2007 link on the right.
That's the recap. Sorry it to so long to post it.
The first YEAH is the Indiana Chicago Triathlon Team In Training Team raised over $40,000 to benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
August 26, 2007 - We couldn't have asked for a more perfect day in the windy city. Upon arrival on Saturday there was concern of the swim portion being cancelled due to a sewage dumping into Lake Michigan on Friday. Officials tested the water several times and by Saturday night declared the water safe and the swim was on. Apparently the breakwalls of the Chicago Yacht Club blocked the sewage from entering our swim course.
My race day started at 3:15 am. I got up, finished packing my transition bag and headed to the lobby to meet up with the team. Before the crack of dawn we headed over to the transition area to choose our spots on the bike racks and set up our transitions. Everyone had to be out of the transition area by 5:45 since the race started at 6. I was out around 5:45 and headed back to the hotel to take a nap before my wave of participants started. The race started at 6 am and my wave was scheduled to start at 9:20! Mom, Dad and Aunt Ilene were just making it into the city as the sun was coming up and the race was starting. They watched the beginning of the race. I slept. :)
I met up with them and hung out in the shade for a couple hours. Then the time came. Time to put on the wetsuit and get in line. As my participants in my wave began jumping in the water, I didn't understand why everyone was screaming. Then I put my feet in the water. IT WAS COLD!!!!! I jumped in and tried to keep breathing deep. I wondered when I was going to feel my feet again.
And we're off! Once I got used to the water, the swim wasn't so bad. I was more tired than normal, but I was not panicing. About half way through the swim I spotted and heard Stu and Rosie yelling at me on the wall. I saw them meet up with Aunt Ilene and mom and point me out to them. If it wasn't for all them walking along the wall with me as I finish the rest of the swim, I don't think I would have made my target time. My goal was to finish the swim in less than 45 minutes. I looked at my watch as I exited the water and I did it in 39 something! My official time shows a longer time because the chip reader was 500 yards away at the transition area. YEAH for the swim!
The bike...Incredible! The beautiful day made the lake view an enjoyable one. You could see the sailboats out on the lake. Many times I had to make myself refocus on the road so I wouldn't hit a pot-hole or run into other cyclists. It was also fun to be moving faster than the vehicle traffic on Lake Shore Drive. My goal for the bike portion was to complete it in less than 2 hours. My official time was 1:36:24. YEAH for the bike!
The run...HOT! Time was approaching noon. I was a lot slower on the run than I wanted to be. I walked several portions of it. I tried to set a pattern...run to an aid station, walk for two minutes and then run to the next aid station. This approach to the course worked for a little while and then I just needed to walk for awhile. About mile 4 I ran pasted a fellow team member (it was an out anc back portion of the course). As I cheered this team member on, I also challenged him to catch me. This challenge meant I had to keep on running... No more walking now! The "no walking" was a definite decision as I started passing the professionals who were heading out on the course. They started 2 hours after me and I was not going to let them finish before me! I had about a mile left at this point and I kicked it into gear. I ran the rest of the way and finished before the professionals! I believe my goal was to average less than a 12 minute mile for the run. Officially, my average was 12:12. Not bad. I say YEAH to the run 'cuz I beat the professionals! :)
Once I ate some lunch and had my post race mocha frap, I was feeling pretty good. It was a great day and a great race! I'm contemplating doing it again next year. I'm also pondering a half-ironman for next year. Before I continue pondering such wacky things, I shall enjoy my next adventure.
The next adventure is a trip to Africa that happens in 8 days! To see details of this adventure, and postings from the team as we travel, click on the GKC Africa 2007 link on the right.
That's the recap. Sorry it to so long to post it.
posted by smilinblueeyes at
6:51 PM
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