I just woke up from my recovery nap after the Chicago tri. I'm happy with my 2:31 and change, but man what a crowd. This is my 10th tri, but only 2nd road tri, and the last one only had about 120 people. Crawling through mobs on the swim wsa a new experience.
One experience I had on this tri really suprised me: cramping. I've done much longer tris, but this is the first tri I've ever done where I had some leg cramping issues. Thankfully, none of it was serious enough to slow me down. The first incident was my right calf suddenly went into a painful fully tightened cramp about 10 feet from the swim exit. Now I don't kick very heavy, and I've never had such a hardcore cramp before where I couldn't do anything with my calf. As soon as I was out of the water and started jogging it was fine. I'm so lucky it didn't happen earlier.
In addition my legs started cramping about two miles from the end, but it felt more like a tightening. It was noticeable and painful, but I didn't have any trouble running through it. They felt no more sore than usual after the race.
I've been racking my brain trying to think of how I prepared differently. I was well hydrated prior to the race. I ate properly. The only thing that really pops in my head is the amount of standing I did yesterday and today. Yesterday when I went to get the race packet, I walked around the city for about 3 hours. Today before the start I don't think I hardly sat down from 4:30 am until 7:30 am. Would so much standing cause my legs to cramp up? Any ideas? I also had no real warm up other than stretching, and I always warm up some.
Maybe walking around was a factor..but maybe not the reason.
Being on your feet all day prior to a race could make your legs more tired...remember, the only place you get faster is on the couch.
Look at your electrolytes in the days leading up to the race.
Also, as much as we don't like to hear it cramping can also be the result of not enough miles in the legs so, maybe there,
although I doubt that's a problem with you.
And sometimes...it just happens.
Good job...I'd be very happy with 2:31!
Nice job - For me the little triangle muscle on the inside of the knees was cramping on the beginning of the run and my hampstrings were cramping in the 2 miles, but I know that's because I haven't been training at all... I got 2 big bee stings on the run too... I've biked 5x this summer and run about 60 miles and practically no swimming.
This was my 5th oly distance and 19th tri.
I got a 2:40:58, 625/3708, 62/1058 women, 5/79 F20-24
swim 29:48
t1 2:41
bike 1:13:35
t2 2:03
run 52:50
Last year I was a minute faster in the swim, 3 minutes faster in the bike, and 11 min slower in the run (nutrition error) than this year. It was definitely windier this year on the bike. I got there at 4:15 and my wave didn't start until 9:25 so I was walking around the course (pretty far between finish and transition and swim start) and cheering for my dad, my sister, and my aunt who were all doing the sprint and finished 1.5 hours before my start.
Things I learned today: 1. probably should have gone back to the hotel and slept more after I set up transition 2. When you stop swimming competitively 2.5 years ago and don't train, your arms turn to angel hair spaghetti and you get slower 3. I used to ride my bike a lot, but I haven't for the past year or so and that got slower too. 4. My run was about 1.5 min slower than it was during my last oly last month and I think that's because I put too much effort in on the bike because I was hoping to get a 1:10 again even though it was windier and I know in worse shape so my legs were just plain tired and crampy. So yeah, didn't win my ag like in 15-19 last year, but this was only my 2nd race as a 20-24 so I have a few years to work my way up to the top. Maybe if I actually follow my training plan instead of just making one it'll happen... I might write up a better report in a few days - I haven't had a nap yet. My hampstrings are soooo sore already... Boston tri next weekend.
Two olympics in two weeks sounds a little intense.
I was happy to have 7:27 slot. I was right at the front of the International starts. I was a little aprehensive about how I would do, since I primarily do Xterras, and even the swim isn't directly comparable since most Xterras are two lap swims with beach sprints in the middle.
I'm very happy with my swim and run times. My biking was good, but I came to tri from mountain biking, so the swim and run have been the focus areas. My biking has kind of leveled off all year. I am eager to do more road tris. I might have to get a tri bike now, or at least some more aero gear. I do have some bars at least, and they certainly help.
How long was the run from the swim end? I was hoping they would time it out of the water. I thought I came out around 28 min and change, but I can't be sure.
OA 252/3708
M 232/2650
AG 56/506 (506!) M25-29
Swim 30:30
T1 2:06
Bike 1:09:45
T2 1:42
Run 47:09
Total 2:31
Two olympics in two weeks sounds a little intense.
I was happy to have 7:27 slot. I was right at the front of the International starts. I was a little aprehensive about how I would do, since I primarily do Xterras, and even the swim isn't directly comparable since most Xterras are two lap swims with beach sprints in the middle.
I'm very happy with my swim and run times. My biking was good, but I came to tri from mountain biking, so the swim and run have been the focus areas. My biking has kind of leveled off all year. I am eager to do more road tris. I might have to get a tri bike now, or at least some more aero gear. I do have some bars at least, and they certainly help.
How long was the run from the swim end? I was hoping they would time it out of the water. I thought I came out around 28 min and change, but I can't be sure.
OA 252/3708
M 232/2650
AG 56/506 (506!) M25-29
Swim 30:30
T1 2:06
Bike 1:09:45
T2 1:42
Run 47:09
Total 2:31
My cure for cramps are Succeed tablets - they are my wonder drug! It's straight potassium and sodium delivered to your body. I always take one about 15 minutes before a race, a couple on the bike depending on the length, one at the start of my run and more depending on the length of the run. A fellow triathlete and runner (who also did Chicago yesterday) turned me onto them. Look them up on the web - that's the only place I've seen them. There are other electrolyte tablet brands, like endurolytes. So check them out, see which ones might work best for you. I've been recommending them to everyone lately! I get quad cramps biking in races and will pop one of these and it's an immediate cure.....and great job on the tri yesterday. I did Chicago last year - like you said it's a really crowded race but a lot of fun! I decided to stay closer to home this year and did Iron Girl in Columbia, Md yesterday instead.
I use a similar electolyte supplement called Thermolyte.
I take a couple before the event and usually on the hour.
I also have a banana as part of my pre-race breakfast.
You have to work on dialing in your nutrition needs to your body.
Try stuff out during training to see what works best for you.
Good luck!!:D
The run from swim exit to transition in Chicago is approx. 450 yards - depending on where you are in the transition zone, which is itself 150 yards wide. The swim time includes the run to transition, that's where the difference with your 28 minutes comes from.
My wave went off at 9:37 - enough time to take a cab back home, breakfast, sleep and return. I'm glad I didn't stay on the lake front.