Fit-Pic: 2013 Life Time Tri Chicago

You know it's Chicago Triathlon weekend when the Lakefront Path is virtually blocked off from Randolph to almost Monroe to fence the grassy area across from Columbia Yacht Club. It's all to arrange the bike racks for the 47 waves of amateur athletes and the two waves of professionals. The crazy part is that even with all of those racks, the bikes are still crammed in there--in fact, it wouldn't be a triathlon if that wasn't the case.  See?

What makes the Life Time Tri Chicago (sorry still getting used to calling it that after I've known it as Mrs. T's, Accenture, and the plain old Chicago Triathlon for years) truly special is not only its size--it received the title of world's largest triathlon a few years ago--but its spectator friendly course. OK, so you can't watch much of the bike if you're also trying to watch the swim and run (trust me, I've tried). But at the intersection of Monroe and the Lakefront, spectators can watch runners on one path and swimmers sprinting out of the water and heading toward transition on the other. And that's all with a view of the Windy City's skyscrapers.

Were you out watching the triathlon earlier today? I was racing, but I'm saving that race report for another day. I'm still recovering from my 4am wake up call.

Meet Chicago Triathlete Jim Bey

Jim Bey at Ironman Florida 1999

I'm a big race fan. Not always completing them myself (I'm still the girl who can't sleep the night before a triathlon) or being a good cheerleader at them, but I love learning what drives others to toe the line. With the Life Time Chicago Triathlon this weekend, it only seemed fitting that I share some stories from triathletes who'll be competing. That said, meet Jim Bey.

Based on race times alone, Jim Bey, a 47-year-old triathlete from Naperville, seems like your average age-grouper. Sure, he has a speedy swim time thanks to his days as a collegiate swimmer, but he's comparable to the rest of the field on the bike and run. And he's fast enough to qualify for the USA Triathlon Nationals, which he competed in two weeks ago.

But Bey's road to the start line is a little different from most of the men he's racing against. For starters, he's lucky to be competing at all. Bey broke both of his legs and sustained other injuries in a serious car accident nearly 20 years ago. The driver of the vehicle died when the car hit a pole; Bey was fortunate enough to land himself in the hospital for a few months. Sure, it wasn't an easy recovery, but Bey was determined to walk again.

Triathlon Tips: How to Survive the Race

It doesn’t matter how many triathlons I’ve done—and I’ve lost track of the number—but I still get race-day jitters. Make that race weekend jitters. I start to fear flatting on the bike, swimming through the crowds (I once got strangled by a fellow swimmer and pushed far under water by another), and running with not enough miles or bricks on my legs…as I’m packing my transition bag. The deer in headlights look? That’s totally me come race morning where I’m surprised I have it together enough to set up my transition gear and not forget anything.

But as scared, nervous and maybe even confused as I may have been before those triathlons, I’ve survived every one of them. Certainly not all gracefully as I’ve been kicked more times than I’d care to count in the swim, got that flat tire on the bike not once but twice, and felt my legs literally run out of juice when there were miles to go before the finish line. The battle wounds (I kid) may have healed but I still have the finisher medals, the materialistic proof that I survived.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel Finishes the Chicago Triathlon...Again!

Maybe Rahm is somewhere among the sea of swim caps?

How did Chicago's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, spend his Sunday morning? Doing the Life Time Tri Chicago. And considering he's not slow--he finished 27th in his age group this year--he was finished with the race before many of us (OK, definitely me) got out of bed.

Mayor Emanuel is no stranger to triathlon and endurance sports. His Wikipedia profile says it, he ran the Soldier Field 10 a few years back with his son (I swear Liz mentioned it) and supposedly was at the Ravenswood 5K this past April, and his wife and kids race too though you'll usually find them on the running circuit. He's no stranger to the Chicago Triathlon; he participated last year and finished ninth in his division, and his name is listed in the race results from the Fleet Feet SuperSprint Tri in 2004 and the Chicago Triathlon in 2003. But boy does the mayor's office do a good job--and the Chicago Triathlon race organizers too--of keeping it under wraps. Emanuel stunned many Chicagoans last year, participants included, when news outlets like the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun Times reported his participation in the sprint distance event.

But trying to confirm--or even find a clue--that he'd be doing it again this year was like digging for that darn needle in the haystack. You see, I spent half of July--or what felt like it--tracking it down and ending empty-handed though suspecting that he'd be among the 8,500 or so triathletes come August 26. And sure enough, I was right when I checked the results Sunday night. 

Fit-Pic: Best Spot to Watch the Chicago Triathlon

 Where's the best spot to watch a race? We all have our favorite locations whether it's for the marathon or the triathlon or any other event that comes through Chicago that brings spectators out to watch. My parents have their route mapped for the marathon. My husband has his favorite picture-taking locations at the triathlon--and usually surprises me when he pops up by the race photographers near T2. Ask anyone else, as I did for a Chicago Athlete article, and they'll tell you theirs.

Except I don't have any because I'm usually racing. But I always said that I'd want to stand on the North Avenue Bridge the morning of the Chicago Triathlon (now dubbed the Life Time Tri Chicago) and watch triathletes buzz underneath. I've spotted those spectators from below as a racer, and I remember someone telling me years ago that was a unique spot to watch the race. And when you want to watch the bike portion--and you're not about to sit in car traffic on Lake Shore Drive to do so--and you don't want to fight crowds by the swim start and finish line, this is about as good as it gets. As for identifying racers, that didn't seem like it'd be too difficult as long as you knew their race numbers and when they started--easy if you tried the triathlon's Athlete Tracker app. But then again, I wasn't cheering for anyone in particular or trying to read any race numbers.

Where do you like to watch the Life Time Tri Chicago?

Fit-Pic: Wetsuit Warriors

It was sunny. It was hot. It was Friday afternoon. Normally a description like this would warrant a trip to the beach. A lazy trip to the beach--to nap, to read, to catch some sun, to maybe dip the toes in Lake Michigan.

Not for a group of triathletes. Forget skipping out of work (or being fortunate enough to have half-day Fridays Memorial Day to Labor Day) to bum a boat ride, crash on the beach or get a head start for home. They were armed and ready to swim and run--all in the name of the kicking off the 30th anniversary of the Life Time Chicago Triathlon, which has seen a few name changes in its 30 years (Bud Light, Mrs. T's, Accenture...). And they did it in their wetsuits--I'm sweating just thinking about it.

Nothing like a little warmup in the Millennium Park water feature.

Wetsuit Dash

Let's go running...in wetsuits. Credit: brentzooka

The Jim Gibbons 5K was last night (I love that race and the fun festival afterward!)--the run. The Bike to Work Rally at Daley Plaza was this morning--the bike. Now what about triathlon, or mainly swimming? Life Time Fitness has an answer for that: a wetsuit dash. News of the event landed in my inbox last night. And, well, I couldn't help but get excited for a kick-off to the 30th anniversary celebration surrounding the Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon, whose Olympic-distance event closed to general entry earlier in the week.

If you're a triathlete who needed a reason to call off work for the day, or skip out early, this is it. If you pass by Millennium Park this afternoon and see several wetsuits, this is it. If you're at Ohio Street Beach and watch a throng of wetsuit-clad runners march onto the sand, shed their shoes and take a swim, this is it. If you see trolleys full of triathletes, this is it. It's the Life Time Fitness Chicago Triathlon kick-off complete with wetsuit dash getting underway at noon and ending around 5 p.m. at Park Grill Plaza, 11 N. Michigan Ave.

Race Deals That Expire March 31

Running Soldier Field 10 in 2011

Who doesn’t love to save a little dough (even if it’s only a couple of dollars) on race registrations? I know I fall into that category time and again. I’m still kicking myself for missing the early registration deadline for Ironman 70.3 Racine—and as a result, have yet to actually sign up and cough up an extra $50 I could have saved myself if I had just remembered to visit the website before January 14. Maybe it’s just me, but once you miss out on one deadline for savings, you’re likely to do whatever you can to avoid missing the next one whether that means scouting out races that are less expensive to begin with, purchasing those awesome new Active Schwaggle deals or marking price increases on your calendar.

If you’re contemplating a race-filled summer, you might want to spend Saturday registering for those events. Come Sunday, the joke’s on us when the fees jump for some of our favorite races.

But which races am I referring to? Three come to mind:

Tri-ing to Save Race Money in Chicago

The weather might have us fooled that summer is just around the corner. The mercury is pushing 60 degrees in Chicago, and we've left our winter coats and layers behind to sport short-sleeves, shorts and capris on the run, maybe took the bike off the trainer for the rare opportunity that it's warm enough--and not too icy--to ride outside mid-winter, and maybe even thought about being one of those Lake Monsters that take a dip in Lake Michigan regardless of time of year or water temperature. OK, that last one might be a bit of a stretch, but who says we can't dream that we'll soon be swapping pool laps for open water?

But there are still a few hours left of January. Before the month comes to a close, there's one thing many a triathlete (or a wannabe) might want to consider: registering for the Life Time Chicago Triathlon. You see, race registration opened on January 1--talk about a way to kick off a New Year's resolution to complete a triathlon by already confirming a race to the schedule--and a price increase is right around the corner. And when you're a regular racer--one like me who's trying to save any buck she can get--you know how much the wallet can start to hurt as the race registrations add up.

At the Chicago Triathlon, the race registration fees will increase by $15 when the clock turns over to midnight, Feb. 1. The sprint race is currently $115 and will increase to $130, while the international distance will increase from $150 to $165. If you have to pay for a one-day USA Triathlon license, there's your cost right there.

The sprint and international distance races are set for Sunday, August 26. Plenty of time to learn how to swim, bike, run or perfect the disciplines. For more details on the 2012 event, visit chicagotriathlon.com. Who's thinking about racing?

Fit-Pic: A Tri-ing Inspiration

Chicago's Monroe Harbor really looks like that come race weekend for the Life Time Chicago Triathlon. Don't believe me? Check it out for yourself on Sunday, August 28, when the triathletes hit the water starting at 6 a.m. (sprint wave) and running until about 11:30 a.m. when the pros take off.

Nearly 10,000 people from every state and from a few countries around the world will jump into Lake Michigan, colorful swim caps and all. They'll swim about a mile in Monroe Harbor, take a quarter-mile barefoot jog up the path to their bikes (seriously, it's the most painful part of the entire day) and then spin onto Lake Shore Drive for a scenic cycling tour that only happens on two other occasions during the year (and you're usually going far slower than you get to at this race). After two loops on Lake Shore Drive between Harbor Point and Foster Avenue, competitors enter the final leg of their journey: running, jogging, shuffling or walking south on the lakefront and through the Museum Campus, winding back to Grant Park to hear the cheers of hundreds of spectators as they cross the finish line on Columbus. To think that this race is 29 years in the running--and one of the world's largest. Spectators and triathlon fans can watch amateur, elite and professional triathletes from around the world competing in this fifth race of the Toyota Cup series.

And who knows? You just might get so energized that you'll be fueled to do it next year. I know that's how I felt when I watched my first one, shuffling between the swim start and exit and the finish line, hauling a heavy bag and carrying my arm in a sling. I needed that broken collarbone to heal first, but I knew I'd be out there the next year--and sure enough, I was. The funny thing though is that for many it's the last race of the season. For me, it'll be my first. Gotta dust off the cobwebs at some point, right? I'll be doing that tonight when I dig for my aero bottle.


Photo courtesy of Life Time Chicago Triathlon.

Fit-Pic: Pro at the Port-A-Potty

Before I even post this picture, I have one thing I absolutely have to write: Matty Reed, I'm sorry. This is definitely not the way I hoped to snap a picture of you at Sunday's Chicago Triathlon, but it seemed to be my only option at the time between my inability to set up my camera as you were jogging toward the swim start and my reluctance to interrupt you with your race just minutes away. In no way is the intention of this photo to be utterly embarrassing, which it probably seems like it is. But of all the pros running down to the swim start who I saw as I walked north to retreive my gear, you were on the only one I recognized. 

So folks, here it is: the photo of Matty Reed that I will probably regret posting later. I guess the heat has a way of messing with my judgment calls. And my memory--I had a great caption planned but forgot Reed's comment about the hot toilet before I had even grabbed my gear. That's where you come in: Get creative, use your imagination, and click the comments section to share your caption creation.

Sorry Matty, I know this isn't the best backdrop for a pre-race photo. So here's one more to make up for it:

Shuffle to the swim start to defend my title.

Adventure-Packed Weekend

It's hard to believe that summer is starting to wind down (sob), between kids already going back to school, the cooler temps that we cannot seem to shake in Chicago, and late-summer fruits and veggies making their way to the farmer's markets. Labor Day Weekend is just around the corner but before it gets here, it feels like there's one last pre-September hoorah for events. I thought there was a lot going on sports-wise in Chicago this weekend but it turns out things are bustling across the country--at least in the sports I track. Here are some events to keep your eyes on this weekend and either attend if you're nearby or track from home.

The big news around Chicago is that it's Chicago Triathlon weekend. The hype is definitely around the city with triathletes lining up at Fleet Feet Monday morning to rent wetsuits, the last-minute workouts on the Lakefront, the easy runs, and then the Friday and Saturday action at the expo. And as someone pointed out to me, this is one of the city's last big showdowns before the 2016 Olympic bid announcement. With the Chicago Triathlon being the inspiration and guide to the Olympic design, if the Olympics are held in the Windy City, the race might have to be on its best behavior. Now if only the weather could hold out.

But the triathlon is not the only event going on around town. Sure, the kids events and SuperSprint take place on Saturday and the Sprinters and Olympic-distance racers kick things off on Sunday morning, but the city is also hosting a sea marathon on Saturday. Take a paddle and kayak 26.2 miles past Chicago landmarks and racing against other boats toward the finish.

Or if you want to get in some distance on the bike...Vision Quest Coaching is heading to Lake Geneva for a century ride. You don't have to ride the 100 miles--other distances are available--but you might want to simply to enjoy the rolling hills and lake town atmosphere.

It's starting to sound like the Olympics are already around Chicago between the events listed above and then knowing that if you hit the Lakefront Path Saturday morning you'll see packs of runners en masse training for the Chicago Marathon. But there are still two more event to fill out the Olympic line-up. The AVP tour comes to Oak Street Beach and some of the best beach volleyball players are tearing up the sand in all-day tourney action. While you may not get to see Kerri Walsh, who gave birth to her first child earlier this year, or Misty May-Treanor repeat an Olympic-sized victory, there are plenty of other v-ball superstars (who also sport super bodies to ogle over) competing. Or check out the shores of Lake Michigan for the Chicago Shoreline Marathon. This 26.2-mile event swaps running singlets and sneakers for oars and kayaks at takes places on Saturday. You'll even catch a few familiar Chicago faces from WGN, NBC5, Fox, ABC and other local stations.

While the active weekend is always a fun one to have in the summer, there's still just as much action to be had without leaving the house or being in Chicago (I was just amazed that all of these events were happening over one weekend when it seemed like there was hardly anything happening last weekend). If you're an Ironman fan, there's a showdown this weekend in Canada and Kentucky, and you can track it all at ironman.com. Triathletes are scrambling for some of the last spots at this year's World Championships at Ironman Canada and Ironman Louisville. Both occur on Sunday with start cannons going off just hours apart. And with racers taking at least eight hours to finish, it's a good event to check on periodically throughout the day. Perfect if the less-than-ideal temperatures have you down--it feels more like fall than summer doesn't it?--and you're thinking a weekend at home is in the cards.

Uh oh, I'm starting to sound like a walking event calendar again. Time to get out and get moving--or just battle the chill. Good luck to everyone racing this weekend! Posted by Kate

What Some People Will Do for a Wetsuit, Part 2

Was a new shoe being released? No. Did I miss an announcement about a sale? Not that I could find in rereading a newsletter. So what caused the line forming outside Fleet Feet Piper's Alley on Monday morning? The hottest commodity on the block, at least if you're a triathlete: a wetsuit rental that would get you through the weekend's Chicago Triathlon.

And this wasn't just any line. My husband spotted it when he biked down Wells after a night on call and when I went over more than an hour later the line wrapped past the building, along the residential courtyard and in front of the next set of buildings north. Those in search of wetsuits brought chairs and cushions to sit on, reading material and more to keep them entertained. You'd think they were waiting to score tickets to a hot concert, but no, they wanted one of the 60 or so wetsuits available for weekly rental at the store.

I have to admit, at first I thought they were a little crazy to be spending $50 to rent a suit for seven days. They could possibly find a slightly used one online at craigslist.org for the same price or find a sale at an online retailer and get some discount on an item they could use year after year. Plus the idea of waiting in line to find out your size was out would be heart-wrenching.

But they knew something about the weather that had escaped my radar or had some extra sensory perception telling them that race weekend would warrant a wetsuit. Yes, Chicago has been blessed, or unblessed depending on how you look at it, with a less-than-stellar summer, especially when it comes to the temperatures and the rain. And the weather also left us playing Russian Roulette to see what we'd wake up to especially as races approached (I've only checked weather.com three times but I swear the forecast has differed every time from an ideal partly cloudy 74-degree day to rain to temps in the 60s). But despite that, Lake Michigan was at least attempting to warm to its typical late-summer temps. Until last weekend, that is, when the Lake was bone-chilling cold and some athletes claimed they were so cold they turned around and got out before completing their desired distance.

Whatever the reason, these racers knew that they needed that wetsuit to solidify their goals of completing the triathlon. The first person in line (pictured above on right) said he arrived around 6:15 a.m. to wait for Fleet Feet's 10 a.m. opening. He didn't want to work all summer to race the Chicago Tri and then have a little weather get in the way of keeping him comfortable in the three disciplines--not exactly his words, but I didn't have a notebook with me and couldn't write anything down. And the three photographed above would be scoring some extra warmth come race day. They comprised part of the first five in line.

Good luck racers and hope no one was left out in the cold! Posted by Kate

Fit-Pic: What Some People Will Do for a Wetsuit

What some people will do for a wetsuit--waiting in line, camping out and maybe even arguing a bit over who was actually in line. But judging from the predictions for this weekend's weather in Chicago--weather.com's initial forecast of 74 and sunny (at least when I checked on Saturday) has now changed to a sub-70 day--and after taking a dip in Lake Michigan where I was freezing for a majority of the mile, they may have been onto something. These triathletes wrapped around Fleet Feet's Piper's Alley location on Monday morning, hoping to score one of the 60 or so wetsuits the store was offering for rental for this weekend's Chicago Triathlon.



More triathlon coverage to follow. Stay tuned. Posted by Kate

New Race In Town: TREK Women's Triathlon Series

For all the time I spend complaining about the frigid weather (sorry!), I hope I take just as much space reveling in races, events and beautiful sunshine-filled training days come summer. There's a new event on the horizon for Chicago-land triathletes: The TREK Women's Triathlon Series launches in Pleasant Prarie, Wisconsin on Sunday, July 12. Sign-up opened today for this Sprint Tri. I've never done this distance...only Olympic and super-mini. I'm curious how the it compares and am thinking this might be a good place to find out. Talk about cold-weather inspiration! Posted by Liz

Photo grabbed from flattop341 at flickr.