Race Result

Racer:	Keith Jacobson
Race:	Chicago Triathlon
Date:	Sunday, August 24, 2008
Location:	Chicago, IL
Race Type:	Triathlon - International Distance
Time:	2:54:41
Overall Place:	1660 / 4103
Age Group Place:	1396 / 2804
Comment:	A suprise party in the burbs on Sat and a race in the city on Sun!

Race Report:

Other than getting to bed at midnight and up at 0400 - the race was great. I was concerned about shin splints that I have been nursing for a month but they did not show themselves!!

Transition Setup
I stayed at the Hilton on race night and followed the herd from the hotel to the transition. I made the decision not to bring my headlamp to have “one less thing” well that was a poor choice – oh well.

As usual I forgot something and this time it was my swim cap and race bracelet. I did not realize I needed the bracelet – but the swim cap – WHAT DID I DO WITH IT (after the race it was in my luggage). This is the problem with packing and repacking gear till midnight. Pack it once and be done with it.

The transition area is MASSIVE, you virtually need a map to find your rack. I had finished setting up my gear when Kevin Kunkel walked by (turns out he was in my wave – WAVE 37!!!!!). I waited while he setup his gear and told him about my dumbness. Luckily he noticed some tents that had replacements – so I was saved – thanks again Kev! Meanwhile Heather Rosso walks by in the middle of 8000 people and says hi. COOL!

Our wave did not go off for a few hours so we headed off in search of coffee and port-a-potties. We wound up back at the Hilton and hung out with triathletes from all over. I have to tell you, I was dreading that 2 hour wait, but Kevin and the others made the time pass in a snap. I had a very strange sighting in the lobby – a woman walked by full zipped into her full length wetsuit with a neoprene cap on. Almost like she was modeling it.

Time came to head back to the swim start. As Kevin and I were beginning to suit up, my wife and daughters walk by – in the middle of all these people – wild!!!

Swim (32:46)
We queued up with our wave and hijacked a water jug from a volunteer and passed it around. Kevin and I wished each other luck and the next thing I knew we were at the steps and jumping into the water. We were probably the 9th and 10th swimmers in the water and I turned around and there were TONS of guys coming in behind us, it was like one of the nature shows where all the penguins are jumping off the cliff into the water. Classic.

I never heard the horn for the start – I just knew people were going! I had tried to seed myself towards the outside back edge. Swim was very enjoyable and I took one of the pieces of advice Kevin gave me and drafted a few people most of the way. WOW, that really works, definitely file that away for future. The water was pretty clear(ish) actually - better than Reston! There were people hanging off of the boats and rescue lines though. I was comfortable the whole time, I just had to vent my wetsuit a few times b/c I was getting hot. My goggles fogged and I decided to take them off and clear them rather than be annoyed for the next ¾ mile. I think this was the right decision. I was comfortable and wanted to enjoy the swim.

My wife and girls were right there at the swim finish and I actually heard them! On Saturday night they surprised me with this professional grade cowbell they bought – the thing became an instant classic. Turns out my youngest had a potential career with Blue Oyster Cult (reference SNL skit) – she ROCKED that thing! The run over to transition is about 900 miles on the pavement (or maybe a few hundred yards – but whatever it was it sucked). A lot of people leave flip flops, but I figured I was just as likely to fall and break my neck running in those.

T1 (3:12)
I had planned not to sit to strip the wetsuit off, but I did anyway. I decided this year not to wear gloves or socks and had been training that way for most of the summer. This was a good decision since I was able to popup and get going right away.

Bike (1:17:00) (19.3 MPH)
The bike course is on Lake Shore Drive North of Grant Park. It is 2 loops and you ride in the left most lanes. As a result, this race is a “ride left, pass right.” Lake Shore Drive was a wreck tons of potholes and rough spots.

My bike mount hurt when I slipped off my pedals and I tried to reset my computer. But got going and it was cool. But there was wind on the outbound that caused riders to be EVERYWHERE. Basically people were riding where they wanted and passing where they could. While I am no pro on the bike, I was not impressed with the overall bike handling or etiquette on the course. After the first turn a woman on a MTB almost drilled me and I avoided her by going into a pothole. As a result one of my water bottles was ejected which caused me some angst as I was starting to heat up and I wanted to use it to cool down. I think I could have powered a little more on the bike but I was so concerned about the run. The hairpin turn down off the bike came up w/o warning. I made the turn and then 3 seconds later I heard a commotion and I turned around and 2 dudes were in mid-wreck with each other. It turns out my wife and girls were actually right there and reported tons of wrecks at that spot. Out on the course I was amazed at the amount of junk that people lost because of the state of the road - it was like a minefield. People were in various states of breakdown including broken bikes and taco'd wheels, the SAG wagon was BUSY.

T2 (2:39)
T2 was smooth. I decided to not wear socks for run or bike or gloves on bike and I think that helped me save at least a minute. But more importantly, it was not a hassle - just off I went!

Run (59:02) (9:31)
I was expecting the post bike shuffle but I felt good. Not fast, but good enough. My wife and girls were at the exit and I gave high fives to my oldest and the youngest was working the cowbell like it was going out of style. But I had too pee and I took Kevin’s second piece of advice which is those 30 seconds in the port-a-potty are worth it. So just short of 1 mile I saw a port-a-potty and took my chance. Boy was he right!!!! I got back in the race and 2 photogs were laughing, but I said you gotta do what you gotta do! Where Chicago is lacking in biking they make up in running. People were zooming by me, but I wanted to run 10:00 miles and I was right on. I actually wound up going around 9:30. Every water station I got 3 cups and poured them all over. The turn at mile 3 ½ got us coming back into the wind and I tucked in behind a tall dude and stayed there. Around the field museum I tried to see if I could pour it on and I was able to gain a little speed. I was comfortable in the chute and did not have anyone immediately around me. Again I heard my wife and the girls, but they were separated by two barricades so I could not get to them. Crossed the line and that was it.

In conclusion, I am very glad I did it, but doubt very much I will do it again. If I lived there - yes, but I won't travel to do it.