I competed with two other Chicagnow Now bloggers yesterday in the Chicago Triathlon Sprint Relay. I was teamed up with two awesome ladies Lauren of Outside the Girl Box and Barb of Awesome Barb-Hence our team name was created= Team Awesome. We were thrown into this team about two weeks ago and I couldn't have been more excited. It was decided that Barb would complete the half mile swim, Lauren the 13.7 mile bike ride and me the 5k.
I have never been around a triathlon and it was so exciting to meet everyone the morning of the race. I couldn't believe how many people were out at 4:30 in the morning. I felt a positive energy as I walked with so many others to get ready for the race.
We were all running a liiitttllleeee behind schedule (Lauren had a bike scare-you can read about that on her blog). But we were able to say a quick good luck and sent Barb and David (of Pace of Chicago, who was completing the race on his own) off to the swim.
Lauren and I headed over to the transition area where she began to set up her bike. Jimmy Greenfield (Red Eye writer, Chicago Tribune writer and Chicago Now Blogger who was on another relay) began to warm up and stretch for the race. Jimmy was very serious as you can see below. Or was he sleeping standing up?
Before I knew it, there were swimmers running towards their bikes. Barb was dashing towards Lauren's bike and handed off the chip. Lauren was on her way. I hunt out with Barb and anticipated Lauren's return to the transition area.
I have done 5k's before, but this was different. My team was counting on me and I didn't want to let them down. I saw Andrea Metcalf come in, then David Wallach and then Lauren!!! She handed me the chip and I was off.
I was at a little slower pace in the beginning because I didn't want to burn out. Then all of a sudden, I heard Barb up ahead screaming and cheering me on. It was a great feeling. Everybody needs a cheerleader in their life. It may be a different person for different events, different moments or all of your greatest moments. But that one person who cheers you on helps you go further than you ever thought you could.
So I kept running along, and all I could think about was how hot I was. The fact that I could even begin to think that I could be tired compared to the racers next to me who had just swam and cycled, kept me going! If they could do all that, I could certainly do this 5k.
I looked at my Nike Sport Band to see how far I had gone, about 2.2 miles. Thank goodness for my sportband because without knowing how long I had left I wouldn't be able to push myself. The sun was beating down on me now.
I was so grateful to have been in the first wave and able to run at 7:30 am and not noon. (To all the later waves, I give you extra props). I have to say the view was amazing! Running along the lake towards the Field Museum and around the Shedd Aquarium was truly a stunning view of our beautiful city.
I then saw Jimmy and David who both threw me a high five in passing. David, chimed in that an old man was beating me. Gosh, could that be true I thought?! Well, he was completing the whole race so we'll give him that one. This one time.
Finally, in the home stretch. I heard one of the volunteers say, "you're almost there just right up over there" as she pointed. Then another one said, "listen you can hear the announcer". He was right. I ran even faster. (On a side note, volunteers, you are wonderful. All 800 of you made this event a success. You are somebody's cheerleader and you never know how your words of encouragement could push somebody that extra inch to reach their goal. Thank you).
I saw the finish line and lengthened my stride, even though my hamstrings were killing me. I crossed the finish line and I was give a medal and a great big high five from David. I was so tired, yet so excited to put that medal on. David, Jimmy and I went over to the Moji tent for a little knee icing-thank you Moji. I sat for a few moments and thought about the race. I had experienced my first triathlon and I loved it. I am definitely going back next year, but I will be competing in the whole thing.
I eventually found the rest of team awesome and showed them our medal. I thought we were going to each have to take some time with it, like the Stanley Cup. But we were each given one.
Congratulations to my teammates, my friends and all of the racers at the triathlon. It was truly a great experience.
Have a fun and fit day, Chicago.
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You rock girl!
Great job out there, Ashley!! You were ON FIRE on the run!
Ashley, I saw a deal today on www.Buyzooka.com for CityWide SuperSlow. It's $25 for a Personal Training Session (normally $57). Know anything about this? Love to hear your thoughts -- and congrats to you and the team on the Triathlon!
Olivia,
Hello! Thank you for checking out the triathlon blog. My teammates and I had a great time! To be honest I don't know anything about that deal. It sounds like a good deal. As long as you are comfortable with the trainer and they are knowledgeable you should have a great session! Let me know if you have any other questions and if you decide to snag the deal!
Have a fun and fit day!
This was great to read, as i never knew you could do a triathlon as a team. I might want to team it for my first one, then do it on my own after that like you are going to do. Or maybe I'll just do it on my own the first time??? I'm not a swimmer, but 1/2 mile doesn't sound so bad. Thanks for this post :)