first a story...

a year ago today i decided i wanted to do the chicago triathlon. at this point i could not run 2 miles, or bike 20. i'd never swam in anything but a pool. today's race was a 1 year anniversary celebration for triathlon and me! before my first tri I was SO nervous, this was my third and i was really really calm (i used to be competitive golfer of all things, so I don't get fired up before events, i just get really calm and focused).

SWIM! I LOVE OPEN WATER. If i never swam in a pool again i'd be happy, the rhythm you can find when there are no walls is just awesome. i started off to the side and soon realized it didn't matter, i was going to get jostled. i was ok with this until the same hand (i think?) poked me twice in the armpit and once in the, errr... netherregions! my swim times are aways my best when compared to other people, and by the time i had the finish in sight i was no longer swimming with people in my wave. this worries me because I don't want to run over people who may be struggling from groups ahead of me but i realize its inevitable. i got out of the water feeling great and looked at my watch, 23 minutes! perhaps my excitement got the best of me, because it was all down hill from here! (swim rank- 177/4000ish!!)

BIKE! uhhh, LSD is better suited for driving than biking. there are potholes and speedbumps and THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE (GOD I HOPE) home of the 2016 olympics! I think the adrenaline rush i had here really hurt my run, but like I said, this bike ride made me want to do triathlon in the first place. going over the chicago river and looking west into the canyon of skyscrapers was fantastic, seeing the exit signs that lead to some of my favorite spots and best memories made this tri so special. for the most part people were not riding like idiots. the final average was 20.5 MPH, I was very happy with this but think I may have pushed a little too hard, I was anaerobic on more than one occasion. ALSO. what a great feeling, seeing all those people in cars stuck in traffic while I flew past. 1:12:??

RUN! there is nothing notable to say here. all the people i passed on my bike and in the water passed me. there was a huge waterfall-fountain on the side of mccormick place, i just wanted to go stand under it. with 1 mile to go i started cramping worse than i ever have, so i walked for few steps, when i looked at my watch i realized that if i ran I'd meet my goal, 2:40:00. so i ran. it hurt.
I MADE IT. 2:39:30. 55 min.

next stop, first half ironman. 21 days. i'll be ready and i can't wait.
what a great 1 year anniversary, I think we'll do it again next year!
congrats to everyone who finished today!
GO CUBS GO!