Triathlon - Anyone doing the Chicago tri?

Whose going and what are you doing this week?

I am going to stop everything on thursday because I am closing on a homestead friday and moving saturday.:eek: but :)

Seriously though, how nutty is the swim start? I have heard that lots of business gets tossed around in the water--any tips for avoiding an elbow or heel? Also, how long are you treading water prior to your start?

I'm excited as this is my first "high profile" tri...

btw, the weather looks very nice: high in the upper 70s/low 80s and sunny (so far!)...

I haven't done it, Slim, but I watched the fiancee do it last year and will be down there watching her again on Sunday.

I can answer your treading question, but not the rest. I'd say that most people were treading for 30 to 60 seconds.

Weather looks great, best of luck to you. As far as I could tell, the worst part was getting up at 0400 to get down and get the bike into the transition area. I'm not a morning person.

this is the first year since 2003 that i haven't done it, the swim start is nutty as you suggest, it's simply the width of the lane that they are cramming everyone into. As with most races if you're not out there the break any records in the water i would recommend simplly hanging back for 20 seconds or so and then finding your rhthym ... be prepared for one of the longest swim to bike transitions as well, it's a good third of a mile run. Have fun, i'll be down there cheering on some friends that are in from out of town competing.

Thanks, lilscotboy & bibliobob!

Yeah, why do they keep such a narrow lane for such a large event? Seems kinda foolish but the organizers are not stupid, there must be a reason..?

simply the size of the harbor and the fact that there are boats moored out there + they need to have two lane widths (out and back course for the olympic distance) and room for the lifeguards....stilll it's like salmon trying to spawn. I just raced Steelhead HIM and couldn't be happier with my swim....1.2 miles is the furthest i've ever done in competition and because it was a point to point with only buoys to your left there was acres of space, i found my rhythm and it flew by.

stilll it's like salmon trying to spawn.

:lol: great image!

right, I didn't think about the laps...I'll keep my arms up. Congrats on steelhead!

one more question: how is the current? Where I practice (olive) the swells change grow over the course (toward the .5m mark) how is it in Monroe Harbor? Given lakepoint tower blocks the current from the north, is must be pretty calm...at least it looks that way.

in four years i've had it pancake flat, sunny and warm or miserable grey, choppy and cold....roll the dice this is chicago after all and the weather does what it wants.

last year it started grey, choppy and crappy with no wind....the wind kicked in and kicked my ass on LSD on the bike....and then the sun came out and made me realize i hadn't left enough in the tank during the run.

gotta love chi weather

good luck

roll the dice this is chicago after all and the weather does what it wants.


...duh. I always forget about this law when planning a perfect day.

Thanks again!