Chicago Tri- (make that a Du-) athlon

The Chicago Triathlon was scheduled for Sunday and in some ways the weather was looking way better than last year. The air and lake temperature were in the low 70s, clear skies, low humidity. However, the lake was very choppy and for the first time in the Chicago Tri history, they cancelled the swim portion. The event became a Duathlon, with a run-ride-run pattern. But first let’s back up to prep on Saturday, when I started off the day at yoga at Garfield Park, held outdoors.

The agave plant there is in bloom and grew right out through the roof!

Lovely landscaping as always, I thought these late summer reds were particularly nice

Then I went downtown to pick up my packet which included getting wristbands for the race and for a beer afterwards, swim cap (sigh), arm tattoos, and bike stickers.

By Sunday morning they’d made the call for no swim, which while making logistics somewhat simpler, still required a lot of thinking to determine what was still needed. No need to check in glasses on the special needs table, but important to wear shoes to the starting point, that kind of thing! Here I am before leaving the house

The modification from triathlon to duathlon meant that all participants started at the swim start area, but instead of swimming 1/2 mile, we ran from there to our bikes. This added 3/4 mile to the start of the event – not a long distance but more leg stuff, whereas the swim portion involves arms more. That’s my explanation for why I was still so tired after the event! Here I am starting the bike portion (I’m the cyclist on the right), and having just spotted Sarah in the crowd. Thanks for the support and photos, Sarah!

Up the ramp, on Miles’s bike again. I’m on the right.

The bike portion was the same as last year, north on Lake Shore Drive to Hollywood and back, a total of 15 miles. The difference was that there was a 10mph wind from the south, which made the second half a bit hard. Back into the transition area to tackle the final run, which went pretty well but that first mile after getting off a bike is pretty brutal. Here I am coming in toward the finish.

I think the big letters TRI were new this year. Nice touch!

Even though it was way cooler and less humid than last year, an ice cold dripping wet towel and misting stations felt really great.

Complimentary post-race beer, thanks to Goose Island brewing! And a medal.

Sarah and I both love seeing the Chicago dump trucks / snow shovels out at events. They are all-purpose civic vehicles that get parked as security lines that can’t be crossed by a vehicle at big events. I think we should have them on t-shirts, they’re a Chicago legend like parking dibs in winter and hot dogs with mustard.

I always forget how nice Buckingham Fountain is! It’s really in a huge plaza.

And as for results, I did exactly the same as last year proportionate to my wave. Here’s my results. Note that 24/58 in my wave puts me at the top 41% – exactly the same as last year! As I didn’t have a timed number to go by due to the race changing, my goal had been to be in the middle 50% of my wave, so success!