Ah the Chicago Triathlon, one of my favorite races. This was my very first triathlon back when I competed in the Chicago Kids Triathlon when I was 9. I love this race because it’s in my city and I know so many friends racing.

Cindi Bannink competed in the Chicago Triathlon this year with me. I have been staying with Cindi on numerous occasions while training for Ironman Wisconsin. This weekend she finally let me return the favor by staying with me for the race.

We rode our bikes to the start of the race, it was pitch black out and very chilly for a summer August day. The wind was so strong that the waves managed to reach our feet while riding along the lake path. We pushed through, a little cold and wet, but we made it to transition. After setting up our gear, we walked over to the swim start. At this point the sprint distance waves have begun. I cheered on a few friends swimming by as we walked to the start. We had about an hour to wait in the cold until the olympic waves began, luckily the elite wave goes first.

SWIM: For some reason they decided to combine the men and women’s elite waves into one. All 200 of us jumped in the cold water together, BRRRR. Once the gun shot I immediately forgot about the cold water because I was more concerned about getting ahead of everyone in the first few hundred yards. I sprinted with the lead pack in an attempt to attain some open water. I popped out ahead, although for no reason at all I decided at this point to pause and look around. I was then trampled and sucked back into the group, from here until the first buoy I could not find any water to swim in, I was knocked around quite a bit. At the 180 degree turn at the first buoy I moved to the far outside of the course and was finally able to swim again. I swam here through the remainder of the swim. Unfortunately at this point I lost the lead pack, there was such a strong current from the large wave that weaker swimmers were able to keep up with the stronger swimmers. Therefore I lost most of my advantage I usually gain in the swim. Regardless, my swim time was not far off. I hopped out of the water and began my half mile run to transition.

BIKE: I started the bike feeling fresh, trying to forget about the swim.  The course is two laps on Lake Shore Drive. The winds were strong, riding north I was riding directly into head winds. Once I hit the first turn around I was flying from the tail wind, trying to make up the time from riding into the head winds. I was passed by a few women on the first loop of the bike who usually don’t catch me until the second loop. I was reminded again of the advantage lost on that swim.  My entire bike felt sluggish, definitely was not my best. It could have had to do with the high mileage I was training in preparation for my upcoming Ironman.

RUN: I headed onto the run farther behind than I usually am, but decided to see what I could do to try and catch up. I caught a few girls throughout the run and managed to maintain my pace. My legs felt great running. I ran by many friends and family cheering for me. By the last mile there was one more girl in sight that I had a chance to catch. As I ran by some team mates they encouraged me to turn it up during the last stretch and pass her just before the finish line.

Overall it was not my best race, but I still had a great time racing cheered on by so many friends and family. I also loved watching and cheering for so many friends racing in Chicago.

Cindi on the other hand had an amazing race, her best olympic time by over 3 minutes!!!

Cindi placed 2nd overall and I placed 9th.