I, much like David Fater, am also closing my 2010 triathlon season after today.  This was my 2nd year doing tris and my first training with MSM.  Today was my first crack at an Olympic distance and it has got me excited for next year as I grow in the sport and try new races.

I felt my swim went well today considering I did not opt to wear a wetsuit.  I had done the Wauconda Sprint two weeks ago where wetsuits were not allowed and based on recent temperatures I did not even bother bringing mine along today.  This was another learning to always be prepared and bring all gear just in case.  I am certain the course was longer than 1.5K but still felt good in the water.  I managed to get off course a few times after being left in the dust by the faster swimmers but took some advice from a fellow MSM'er and tried to draft off some people which helped.  I've been practicing swimming during Masters Swim at Huntley and I feel as much as I have improved there is always room for more and look forward to the next several months of training again to get my speed up for next year. 

The bike went well and was not as hilly or challenging as they had boasted (unlike the run portion).  It was essentially the same course as the Wauconda Sprint so I was already familiar with the course.  I had finally purchased aero bars two weeks ago so this was my first race with them and now I realize what I have been missing this whole time.  I finally broke 30mph on a downhill and was not getting passed as much.  Being in aero is going to take some work for me as my back was starting to hurt after going over potholes and uneven roads.  I felt a lot faster on the second loop than the first.  My biggest complaint was at the end I was having a hard time finding the bike exit for the transition area.  There was a volunteer several hundred yards up that told me to stay to the right but the signs were confusing and I had to keep asking the crowd where I turned.  I guess my nerves and adrenaline were overpowering my rationale and I may have cursed a little but finally found the transition area and got ready for the run.

The run was extremely hilly at times.  I have done the Run thru the Hills in Lake in the Hills for the past several years and this was almost as bad.  I may be over-exaggerating a little since I was getting tired and cramping in my thighs but there were some killer hills that felt like rock climbing.  I came into this race thinking I was going to have to walk part of the run and would settle for a 9-10 minute pace but halfway through I was running 8-8:30 pace and feeling good.  I had one gel left and used it at the halfway point hoping it would get me to the end of the race.  Sadly I found myself having to walk up one hill but thinking back to my training and the money spent motivated me enough to not walk anymore and get through this.  I ended up finishing the run in 51:55 which is close to my PR of 51:37 at Run thru the Hills.  Considering that race is just a 10K and nothing else I was very excited that I had the energy to perform that well here after swimming and biking. 

My goal for this race was to finish in 3 hours.  I finished in 2:47:14.  Overall, I am satisfied with my performance and have now set the benchmark to improve in future races. 

For the race itself I would give it a C.  The packet pickup was in Deerfield or Chicago which is a pain if you live out in the NW suburbs.  For a race that boasts the best goodie bag in Chicago they only gave you the shirt.  No coupons, flyers, discounts, water bottles, etc...  Granted it is a cycling jersey and I don't do these races for the goodie bags but they can ease the blow to paying $100 for a race (I'm doing the work and nobody pays me anything!).  The overall organization was subpar to the other races I have competed in (both tri and running).  They did seem very focused on making sure everyone was hydrated but beyond that the volunteers were not extremely helpful in flowing the racers.  This got confusing because there was a tri, a duathlon, and aquabike all running simultaneously with different distances for each.  This will probably not be a race that I repeat next year as there may be better options for an Olympic in the Chicago area. 

My plans for the remainder of the year are to do a half marathon, Crystal Lake Dole Duathlon, and some 5-10Ks scattered in between ending with my favorite, the Cross County Challenge in Gilberts, IL on December 5. 

I was nervous about joining MSM because I knew there were some terrific athletes and competitors but I could not imagine training without this group.  These are some of the most down to earth and dedicated athletes I have ever met and trained with and I am honored each time I get to put on that jersey and race. 

Thanks all and best of luck to those going to Madison next month,

Jay Baedke
NW Chapter Newbie