Tri Times

Tri Times

Time: 1:36:06
Swim (½ mile): 11:31
T1: 4:51
Bike (13.2 miles): 44:05
T2: 1:54
Run (4 miles): 33:47

I’m hoping practice makes perfect or at least improvement because I added in a 3rd Sprint Triathlon last minute to give myself a little more experience before the Accenture Triathlon* where I am doing the international/Olympic distance which is about twice the distance of the sprint triathlons.

When I run Marathons, there are times a course might be more difficult than another because of hills or the terrain or the weather might affect your energy levels. All this affects your time. What I’m learning with triathlons is there are many more variables that can affect the race. Also, it’s difficult to compare one from another because sprints vary in distances. This race had multiple variables, and the distances were a mile less on the bike than the last, and a mile more on the run. But, because I was actually happy with my time, I’m not too upset about the obstacles, instead I feel more confident that I am improving.

When reading the Harbor Lights triathlon description online, I thought the only obstacle would be that it’s in lake Michigan which when ranking between Newport Beach and Naperville, I quickly learned I am much better when I am in a smaller body of water, say more pool like, and have the freedom of movement without a wetsuit.

As I was getting nervous and still waking up at 4:45am on Saturday to run, I didn’t pack my stuff Saturday night, instead as I got tired I went right to bed (9pm). My alarm went off at 3:45am to pack, and by 4:45am I met Laura and Orren. Off we went .5am down Belmont is pretty interesting when you are sober and driving. People really don’t care about cars on the street, they just like to walk in front of them and not even look at the car, and there was one bar that was pretty active, with a line (so who can help me with the name of the bar, on Belmont and still open at 5am).

We got to the race, and road our bikes to the transition area. For as nervous I was, it was pretty fun with a sunrise, hanging out with two real fun people (that would be you Laura and Orren). When we got to the transition area I saw Anne, her husband was doing the race so she was a spectator. I set up my transition spot then met Laura and Maria for the porta potties. And surprise! JP was there! That’s right he’s a trainer for Triathlons! So there were 4 of my Madison to Chicago Relay friends there.

When we got out by the water, it was cold; 56 degrees in the water (Thanks again Alexis!). Laura didn’t have a wetsuit and got nervous she might cramp, I told her that’s one thing I learned in yoga- that when you get a cramp just to breath and relax and you can overcome it. As we were waiting to start, I looked over, and I saw Lindsey, only Chicago’s greatest Yoga instructor (I only say that Laura because I haven’t been to you and you go to her- so she must be great right?). Apparently it was her first tri, with no Training, she just decided this would be a good practice for the Accenture Triathlon as she signed up for that one too. She was joking, that she doesn’t have a good bike, that she actually had a baby seat on it, but she took it off for the race. I think Lindsey is great, she can tell us to go in a difficult position but talk our way to breathing through it and it somehow be calming. So to have her here, it was my constant reminder to stay calmed.

Just as my wave (which was the last) started, my dad made it! So I said Hi, and he was able to watch the whole thing from getting into the water, out, bike, run and finish! My wave started at 7:36am. This time, because I was sick of having to weave my way around people, I was up more to the front of my wave. As we got into the water, I started to realize I was having a hard time breathing. I couldn’t put my head in the water at all for a bit because I couldn’t get the breathing right. I started to blame the wetsuit, like it was cutting off my circulation or something. So I got on my back, and unzipped it some, then I turned back over and continued moving, after awhile I realized I was breathing to the point I could put my head in the water. As I was going, I also noticed a lot of people were hanging onto the buoys and lifeguards, stopping early on. I told myself, it’s okay to be going slow, as long as I finish. I kept pushing through and finally made it to the end, and waved to my Dad and slowly continued on the transition. I was a bit shocked to learn my ½ mile swim was a little over 11 minutes.

Transition was slow, I just kind of needed to breath. I don’t think I focused on drying, just really taking a moment to myself. Then I was off to the bike. As we were waiting for the swim the MC continued to tell us to be careful on the Bike as the course was a bit dangerous. He said if it weren’t a challenge, then it wouldn’t be a good race (challenging and outright dangerous are two different things buddy). We got on the path, and the first 1 ½ miles, which was also the last 1 ½ miles, was single file, no real passing, and the road was completely ripped up and bumpy, pothole city. Great- I still have to learn how to fix a flat, if you are going to get a flat, this would be the course. So at first it was slow and steady. Then, we finally got to the ’on ramp’ to the real race. I was able to keep an average pace at 18 to 20 miles per hour on the course, which included ups and downs for 10 miles. I passed Lindsey on the first lap and exchanged words. When waiting for the start, she commented on the physics of what makes a road bike better, and with the wind, she was trying to make her body position on her bike more aerodynamic. I do have to say, she was the fastest cross bike I saw!

As I came in, I first saw JP, then saw my Dad, and quickly transitioned to the run. Now time to soar, the run is my baby! I waved again to my dad, then JP, then went on my way. I saw Orren on the course first, as he was about a half mile to the finish. Then I saw Maria. And my legs were feeling great and my breathing was too, though, I got spooked as my vision started to blur. My first Half Marathon mishap was all I could think of, so I just kept listening to my body and told myself as long as it was just my vision and all else was okay, then I’d be fine. I made sure I continued to take the waters at the water stops and though I felt like I could push it faster in my breathing and legs, I just kept it comfortable. I spotted Laura in her Pink wear. Even with my sight getting weird, her Pink stuck out. I lost most peripheral vision and then looking at signs was getting difficult. With a half mile left, I started getting small flashes of light too but I said, F it I’ll find my friends as soon as I finish and hang onto them- so if I fall, they’ll catch me. So I finished strong, and right away Maria and Laura were waiting for me. I told them about the vision thing, and Maria’s friend told me I’ll be okay if I feel okay, just drink some electrolytes.

It took about 30 minutes to get my sight back to normal, but that’s when the rest set in, wonderful Migraine! So, usually if I have a migraine, light working out will help get the blood flowing and it goes away, but those were my 2005 migraines, 2009, these are different. Sure, you can affect my ability to go to work, I get enough sick days to manage a few migraines, but mess with my Triathlons/Marathons, I will bring you down migraines!

Despite the obstacles and the lazy rest of a Sunday I have had, I’m real happy my Tri time improved.






***I’m a part of 2009 Team DetermiNation - American Cancer Society’s Charity Athlete Fundraising Program. To learn more about my involvement and to donate, go to http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=212664105243&h=4dryC&u=N9VS0&ref=mf