Soldier Field 10 Mile

Soldier Field 10 Mile
Chicago, IL
Conditions: Mild (60°F), Light North Wind

So last year I said the weather could be better. I think it was better this year! It was beautiful. Low 60's and sunny with a North wind. Now that we moved to the South Loop, this race became even more fun because the start line is only a five minute walk from our home.

I did this race opposite of what I did last year, I went out in 5:20's and 5:30's and came back in 5:40's, 5:50's. Mostly due to the wind. I felt great going out, strong and relaxed. We hit the turn around and the wind slowed me down. I don't feel like I'm in great running shape, and I didn't have that drive I've had in the past to run to exhaustion. I had a lot of gas left when I hit the finish line. I was disappointed to not finish under 58, but surprised I hit a PR. I really didn't feel like I had that great of race, but I guess the solid start made the difference. I was also surprised when my friend Jerry called me later and said I got third in my age group.... Good race, good result, but no free beer at the finish line (boo).

Average Mile Pace: 5:50

Total 58:12 (official)

20th Place (for the second year in a row), 3rd Age Group

Galena Triathlon

Galena Triathlon
Galena, IL
Conditions: Cool (54°F), West Wind 15-20 mph

Galena marks the official start of the Triathlon season in the Midwest. It lived up to it's reputation of tough course combined with crazy post-party. Tanya and I left Chicago at 3:30 Friday night for Galena, we arrived at the check in at about 8:00... It was raining hard when we left Chicago. So that combined with everyone in Chicago deciding to cut out of work at 3:30 and head towards Galena meant a really long drive.

The WellFit group booked up 5 houses in the Galena territory. We stayed at the Boulder homes. It was pretty nice place to stay before a race! I was in the 'married people's house'. Next door to the 'old people's house' and a couple doors down from the 'living in sin house'.

I was in the 6th start wave. I was surprised how few people their were in my group. I was sizing them up at the start and felt that I may be one of the stronger swimmers in the group, which is a shocking revelation. We hit the water, it was cold but not too bad with the wet suit. My face was cold, but I didn't have any issues. I'd guess the water was in the low 60's. It was a brief 660 yard swim, so I worked pretty hard. I had issues sighting on the last half, my goggles fogged up and I was ahead of most everyone in my group, so I couldn't really see where to go. I lost a little time because I was getting up a lot to see where I was. 11:35 in the water.

Transition one was undoubtedly the worst part of the race. It was a very rocky parking lot and running bare foot across that hurt. Slow transition, 2:37.

The bike is the hardest part of this race. 17.4 miles of hills with a hard head wind. Coming out of T1 you go up a big hill, so you'd better have your bike in the right gear or you're going down. I had my derailers adjusted before we went, but I was warned by the bike shop that my gear system was done for, and I may have issues. I had a pretty solid ride for about 10 miles, good

hills, good down hills. I was making position on my age group, no one was passing, it was good. At mile 13 the derailer quit shifting and I lost my big front ring. Not good timing as mile 13 on was almost all big gear downhill territory. I worked hard but without my gear I lost a lot of time and position. Easily two or three age group spots and at least 3 minutes. 57:12 on the bike.

T2 should have been a synch. I had a little trouble getting my shoes on because my feet were numb. 1:09

The run was very fun. A lot of hills, with a monster at the end. I made up a lot of ground on the roads. Out of T2 I was running just a bit over 6 min miles, then I settled in and started splitting 5;40's. The final mile I eased up because there was no one within eye sight in front of me. The run finished with a monster uphill. A good separator. Unfortunately, I was all by myself. 25:51

Overall time: 1:38:21

26th place, 4th Age Group

A good start to the year, so great lessons learned. For instance, my bike is dead. I've gotten a lot of good miles out of her, but she just can't race anymore.

Galena is best known for the after party, and we didn't disappoint. We hung out at the finish line and polished off a lot of beers., then we headed back to the homes where we turned a post race barbeque into a costume party.