Chicago Triathlon 2016
Chicago Triple
August 27-28, 2016
Super Sprint
Olympic
Sprint
So this year, I went crazy and scheduled my races nearly back to back. I did the Ohio Delaware Half Ironman 2016 the week before the Chicago Triathlon. I do the ChiTri every year for the AIDS Foundation raising money so I could not skip it. So I knew I'd be challenging myself a lot by doing all these races over two weekends.
Frankly I wasn't sure I could do them all. I spent the week after Ohio in taper + recovery doing practically nothing but eating and resting. I hydrated and used my infrared heating pad to reduce inflammation. I got some extra rest. It was a busy week for work too though so I had plenty to occupy myself.
Saturday Super Sprint
This race continues to bedevil me. I really dislike running mass starts as my heart rate spikes and it takes forever to get it back down. I was hopeful that I'd do really well, but that ended after the first two minutes when I was struggling to catch my breath in sloshy waves, knowing I was wasting precious time instead of swimming. A short swim that should take about 6 minutes or less took me 1l minutes instead. Mental shrug, keep going. I hopped out and got to my bike pretty quick, Triple racers get a pretty nice slot in transition. I like that. My bike results were pretty good. The first loop took me awhile to get going but the second and third loops were faster. Not fast enough to make up for a dorky swim but faster. I did my run and could only manage 13:30 pace. Last year was faster, surprisingly. I had a full on panic attack last year, but I ran considerably faster last year 10:30 miles. Huh. I didn't recall I had ever done that so I'm on the hunt to pick up my running pace again. I came in at 57:48. Last year was 52 minutes. I'd need to get it closer to 30 mins total to be competitive in my age group. Still some work to do.
I guess the best news is that I'm not suffering on the races these days. In the past, I'd have moments of joy, but usually it's just one long sufferfest and I'd be happy once it was over. These days, I'm finding that I'm enjoying a good part of the race and feeling really strong. That's a nice change from feeling weak and frustrated about how slowly I'm traveling. So the goal for that day was to hit 3:30. I got really close. 3:35. Oh I tried to hurry and get that last few minutes shaved off but just missed. Dang! I wasn't going for any record on the Sprint after really putting out the effort on the OLY. As it was I was dizzy when I finished and had to drink several bottles of water, some gels and some salt to recover enough to start the Sprint. Good news was I had a lot more time to recover and rest.
I have to say think you to coach Joy, Allan and Chris for coming over to the swim start that morning to wish me well. I was feeling a bit alone...nothing new but ..heck it sure is nice to know that someone is there hoping you do well. I got tears in my eyes when coach Chris gave me his pep talk and I got a hug from Joy. Not sure they realize how deeply they are appreciated, not just by me. Chris told me to stick close to the wall that day and that was the best advice. It was pretty peaceful over there away from the center and good positioning for getting to the swim out. It's always so cool to come up to those steps and see people's feet and a hand waiting to help you out. Those folks are awesome.
So the results how how I did. The swim went great. I came out fourth in my age group! That's nice. I worked hard to get to where I could compete in swimming. I like that part of the race best. Weirdly as I've had the most frightening episodes of panic attacks on the swim. I had someone work with me on tapping to overcome that fear early this year. As Coach Allan says "I have to email her and thank her" because it actually seems to have worked quite well. Not only was I able to swim hard, not something I've been able to do in races for fear of creating a panic attack and being breathless, but I felt really strong and confident in the water. I had a long transition as I had to walk a bit on the long run but I expected that. I might have jogged a bit faster but I think it would not have done me much good. I got changed as quick as I could and hopped on my bike. I had no idea what my legs would put out that day. I knew that half ironman was just a week ago and it was possible I'd experience some sluggishness and feel worn out but I was surprised pleasantly to find I had a great deal of power. I was doing 17-24 mph through the whole race and feeling pretty happy. I love riding at that speed.
 |
| Thanks to Bruce Critelli for taking this shot, I never saw him but heard him holler at me. |
For the Sprint I drank two bottles of water and ate a pack of shot blocks on the way over to the swim start. I donned my lava pants on more time and put on my brand new goggles. I have to say, the adage "nothing new on race day" had me concerned because I had not used these goggles once but knew that I needed some that were more clear for the early morning. Wonder of wonders, these did NOT fog up. I was really happy to be able to see. That does help a lot.
The sprint swim started out pretty good. I had a great pace, I could see I was middle to front of the pack until about half way. However, I was feeling my lava pans sliding down as I swam and knew I'd have to do something about that soon. Suddenly someone hit my legs and they both went into full cramp. I mean so hard I could not move. I had to roll over on my back and wait for a minute to keep going. I was pissed off but that's one of my issues. I have leg cramps A LOT. I get them on the bike and the swim and sometimes they threaten on the run. It's frustrating. It's been a lifelong problem, not just in triathlon. I did fix my lava pants and get them back on to finish swimming. (I must've lost some weight because that has never happened before)
Anyway, I swam a good part of the rest with no kicking at all. I didn't really even look at the time. I took my time walking to transition and getting onto the bike. I knew I'd have to slow it down a bit and keep eating to keep going. I was surprised at the speed I did maintain despite that. I was pretty spent by the run though and knew as I left transition I'd have to walk a lot. I met up with a woman with whom I'd been trading places on the bike and run all day. Christina and I walked together and crossed the finish line together. We enjoyed talking about our racing and our lives. Turns out we have a mutual acquaintance; Leslie Battle, all time Athena national champion. She also wears Pierce Shoes so we talked about the shoes for a bit.
 |
| My first pass along the T2 tent, so happy to see everyone! |
So thus ends the racing season for me, except for the upcoming Big Shoulders 2.5 K swim. I'm looking forward to that day. Seriously, in spite of the cramping and the panic attacks, swimming is my favorite part of the sport. It makes sense to me in a way the other two do not. I get how to go faster and that does not require lots of strength. It's more like being one with the universe and I enjoy that peacefulness of a good swim in a washing machine. LOL. Well the washing machine is not my favorite. I do feel closer to my brother, the guy for whom I began doing these. He's smiling and laughing and making fun of me for finally realizing something he knew all along; swimming is fun. He swims with me whenever I'm in the water.
Reflections on the Triple
I love doing this race. I did it the first time last year, after I won a raffle and got a free entry. I was in serious doubt about whether I could finish a triple, thinking it was only for truly badass triathletes like Lynn Flentye, who kept saying I could do it. I thought she was badass but also a bit crazy at the time. Turns out she's smart and badass. I know now that it's for anyone who wants to test themselves. It's a test but it's a level of camaraderie that you don't get much else. A small group who see each other repeatedly during two days who know how hard you are working as they do it themselves. It's fun to have them recognize you on the trail, on top of your friends who compete as well. I don't know if I'll do it again next year, I'm thinking maybe I'll want to volunteer for the Kid's Tri again or something. I need to give back my time for all I've used. So many volunteers at these races spend hours to make a race successful, working full days at fatiguing work. Sounds like fun doesn't it? It is. To see people meeting their goals and so happy to get to the finish, it's fun and satisfying on a spiritual level. I'd say try the triple at least once in your life.
No comments:
Post a Comment