Monday, August 25, 2014

CHICAGO TRIATHLON

Friday - Aug. 22nd
HOWDY!!!

Ok, so I raced a couple weeks back at a beautiful place in NC. The tri is called Lake logan and some great athletes showed up. I finished 5th there but it was in prep for my 2 big races of the year. One being Now! Yep, thats right- its Friday the 22nd, and I will be blogging randomly throughout the next days prepping for the 6am start on Sunday.

Chicago Triathlon - International Distance - 6am - Sunday 7,000 athletes!!! 

6.13pm - My Dad came along the trip with me and I am so happy he did. It's our first time flying together in an airplane. We woke up at 4am for our 6am departure. All was good to arrive in Chicago until we ran out of fuel and landed in St. Louis. Since we were arriving early anyway, we were in no rush and really enjoyed the time together. Plus I got this sweet pic :)
 We then arrived and took the Blue line into town. That was awesome. A 45min ride through Chicago. Very cool. We then arrived out the Host Hotel (Hilton) which is extremely nice! Thank you Filters Fast for your ongoing support to help me reach my long term goal.
Finally, we ate Breakfast at 12.30pm. Yep, breakfast. :)
View from Hotel
After that, I had a great swim while my dad went for a 4mile walk. I then went to the pre race meeting, picked up my packet and had a coffee (Im drinking that coffee now :).
Next up, pop and I are going to go to a sports bar and enjoy. 
Race day is coming and boy oh boy do I want to race against the Elites!!! So excited. 
Over and Out!

10.11pm - Well, that was an experience (as everything is with my Dad) but we just walked over 4miles just to eat. We went to eat at a local place called Billy Goat, then once there- changed our mind and went to another place where there Chicken Caesar Salad was really good. Downtown Chicago is wonderful but I have done my walking for the weekend. Great night life but ready to go to bed. 3.30am-10.15pm. Long Day with out a nap.

Saturday - Aug 23rd
Corner Baker Cafe
8.44am - Good Morning!!! Im alive and Im free,who wouldnt want to be me. Sorry - thats a Keith Urban song. I had a great sleep and just finished a 30min swim. I am at a place called Corner Bakery Cafe where my oatmeal was Fantastico! Dad and I just finished breakfast and now he is out walking again. The man loves to walk. Pretty excited about today. I will be doing a shake out 30min run soon, and then we head out to the Chicago Cubs game. We have to go to Wrigley field while here. Then, drop off bike, shave legs, rest. I feel fit right now. I am thankful for my life and for this very moment. Jen just text me how much she loves me. It is an amazing feeling when the Woman you Love, Loves you just as much. Anyway- over out!

4.43pm - Bucket List Check! I went to see the Cubs play today with my Dad. I have always been a sports junkie and I love to go to stadiums with so much history in it, and Wrigley Field is one of them. My run before was great. I felt really good and would love a sub 37min 10k tomorrow but I know if conditions are not in my favor, then I just need to run.  
The weather turned for the worst around 2pm. Crazy storm came in. WE are suppose to drop off our bikes from 3-9. I am going to wait until later. Why rush. I wont be able to sleep tonight anyway. 
Im now in the lobby sipping some coffee, eating a snack and just loving life. So many athletes here.

Sunday- Race Day
5.49pm - Race is Complete. What a day. Woke up at 3.30am. Walked my gear to Transition (1mile walk). Then walked back to hotel and was back by 4.45am. I did my business in there and did my warm up from the hotel. I then walked to the swim start (.1mi walk) and was ready to roll. I went in having goals. One was a timed goal, the other was an Overall goal amongst the Elite Field (anyone who has gone under 2.10 (not including the Pros). 
Time went out the window once I saw our conditions. We had 15-20mph winds and our swim was extremely rough. I had a bad swim, a good bike, and a bad run but apparrantly most athletes did because I finished 20th amongst the elites and 20th out of 2,708 men on a pretty bad performance from me. I can not complain with my overall position. I am ready to prepare for my big Race of the year- Oceanside, CA!!! I cant wait, and again- thank you Filters Fast and TriBikeTransport for making these races possible. So excited. 
TriBike Transport - I love them!
In the end, I had a great time with my Dad. I raced one of the biggest races in the US and competed with the best of them. Tomorrow morning, I wake up- swim and then on to work! 





My Dad always sits like this.


Sweet view of Chicago
Sunset



Enough said in this pic (note- the water was like glass the day before the race)

Yep- Glass. Then the next morning, not so Glassy ;)

Easy Jog along the lake

We were not in the executive club. WE are were in the cheapest seats but they were GREAT!

On my way to the Bike Drop off.

Pre RACE dinne and wine with Pops.

Choppiness and chaos!

So thankful For Jen and her support. She is AMAZING!



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