Can you tell I was flustered? I'll never be late again!

What follows is the report of my interesting experience at the Chicago Triathlon Triple Challenge 2008. I’ve posted it somewhere else before but thought it would be fitting to post it here at the end of this year’s Chicago Tri. I would love to hear your experiences of this massive event so if you don’t even make it to the end please just scroll down and tell me your story! If you would like your full report published here then shoot me an email. I would love to post a collection of fun and interesting reports!

On a beautiful Saturday morning at around 6 am I got up and prepared for my race. I had my bag packed from the night before and headed off on my bike to the race start. I didn’t have a car n couldn’t afford a big ol’ taxi, so I just rode on up there haha! It was only about fifteen minutes so I thought it was a good warm up. Thankfully it was a most gloriously sunny day and I was feeling strong and ready for this great Tri. So I set up my Transition Area, got my body markings and headed off to the start. I was especially excited to try out my brand new speedo tri suit – I felt all speedy in it!

BANG!! Off we went for the swim and I managed to head out of the water second. Got to transition fine and out for the bike which was just two quick loops. Back into transition and WAIT!?!? Where’s the run exit?? Ah man, I tried to run out the bike exit but had about 6 volunteers almost tackle me and send me off in the other direction, AWFUL! Ran my heart out n managed to come in third for my age group. That was a Super Sprint, half the distance of a Sprint and only the first of the three tris that is the Triple Challenge.

Rest…

The next day I was up at 4am getting my stuff together. This was the big one. Headed out on my bike again and this time was joined on the empty streets of Chicago by other triathletes all heading the same direction to the absolutely MASSIVE transition area. (I believe there were about 9 or 10 THOUSAND participants this year, RIDICULOUS huh?)

I got to my transition n slowly set myself up (Triple Challengers had two special lanes dedicated to us which was great because we got to talk about our race the day before and see some familiar faces). With it being so early morning I was trying to be thorough and didn’t realize that I took FOREVER to get my things together and warm up near my area. A quick bathroom break took up even more time and they started closing transition.

Magnificent Sunrise Ride

I was calm and collected until I saw before me the almost mile long walk to the start of the swim!! AAAH!! I had NO idea I’d have to march to the swim that far away! I started sprinting, doing my best to dodge the mob of people strolling to the start. What was most stressful was that the triple challenge heat was the first at 6am! Oh GREAT!

“5..4..3..2..1…And they’re off!”

This is what I heard as I got within earshot of the Start. That was MY start!? I started sprinting and barged through the chute to the starting line. I told the official I was a white cap and had to be with THOSE guys!

“John, here’s another one..” and I think “oh great, I’m ‘another one’ ” and John tells me “Well!? step down and GO!!”

With the second wave already in the water I leaped in and with a fly stroke to get me going, started my Triathlon day…the last thing I heard was “Aww, lets give this guy some motivation”…I swam so hard that I passed most of the pink caps in front of me and almost caught up to the back of the first wave.

The rest of the sprint was quite a blur but I do remember really enjoying the sunrise as I headed out of the water and onto my bike. I ended the race tired but ready for more. At the same time I was really disappointed with myself because I could have place in this international race if it weren’t for my start. Oh well, shake it off, scarf some bagels and bananas and head to transition for race three.

This time I was prepared. I got to transition and reset my gear and went off for the long walk to the start again. I haven’t raced anything higher than an Olympic distance triathlon but this is what it must feel like eventually because I was in an absolute daze in the third tri – the longest of my weekend – The Chicago Triathlon Olympic!

Awesome shot with the Sears Tower behind me

I made it through this one with the support of the other competitors. It was awesome to be greeted by other “triplers” as well (there were only about 100 of us I believe) as we passed each other amongst the thousands. You don’t know how many “singlers” that overtook me on the bike or the run gave me pats on the back or words of encouragement like “TRIPLE!!” or “You’re almost done” or “Wow well done man!” I especially remember one guy who caught up to me on the bike and slowed for a while to ask me how my race was going since I was doing the Triple Challenge. “Fun, but sore..” was all I could manage, tired, but proud! Special thanks to him!

I also want to give special thanks to the lady that ran the 10K with me. I got out of T2 relieved to be on the last leg but also a tad tired. For the first one or two miles I was in my own world but I caught up to her at a fueling station. She kept pace with me and we ran almost the whole course together. At the end she was building her speed and I just couldn’t make it. Thank you! You got me through.

Anyway, to finish off I just want to say that I’m proud to have made it through such a grueling weekend of Triathlon. By the end of it I was absolutely exhausted and was sore for about three or four days! But INCREDIBLY worth it!

Thanks for reading my story if you read this far and I hope I haven’t completely exhausted you!

I want to hear your stories! GO