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A Rookie's Guide to a Successful Chicago Triathlon

So, you've decided to participate in the "World's Largest Triathlon." Here is some advice to help you through the race. Remember, most of the things that make this race great are the very things that make it a challenge. I've compiled some information on those unique things; read on and may your first Chicago Triathlon be a success! -Emily Brackett

Transition Area
Pre-Start
Waves
The Swim Start
Wet Suits
The Swim & Swim Exit
Transitions
The Bike
The Bottle Exchange & Turn Around
The Run

For more complete and "official" details on anything regarding the Chicago Triathlon, check out Capri's web site.

Transition Area
The transition area is located north of Monroe Harbor. You'll see the Columbia Yacht Club boat in the water outside the transition area. The transition area is open only to competitors-so don't expect your boyfriend to help you carry your stuff. Look for your wave number (see below) on the bike racks and find a place for your gear. The transition area is LARGE so look around and find ways of remembering where your bike is racked. You can look for balloons, banners and other markers, and/or count the number of racks. Practice making your way in from the swim towards your bike, finding the bike exit, then coming in from the bike to your spot on the rack, and making your way to the run exit.

Everyone is required to have their stuff in the transition area, and then have exited the area by 6:15 am. Allow enough time to park your car, get to transition, set up your gear, and mentally picture your place within the transition before you'll need to leave at 6:15. <<

Pre-Start
After you're gear is ready in the transition area, you will make your way down to the swim start. It's more than a 1/2 mile walk to where you begin swimming. (When you exit the water it's closer to transition, but still quite a hike away, more on that later) Even though your start time may not be for several hours, you are required to leave the transition area. That leaves everyone milling around Monroe harbor, feeling nervous, using the port-o-potties, and waiting. Yes, you'll wait there a long time so I recommend you take the following:
• a t-shirt that you don't mind losing
• a water botttle with water/sports drink that you don't mind losing
• flip-flops, socks or old shoes that you don't mind losing
• food

Capri Events has said they are going to offer gear check near the start this year, so you may actually get these things returned, but this is new, so I don't know how it will work. Also, make sure you have your swim cap, goggles, and wet suit (and Pam or Bodyglide if you use that with your wet suit). At this time, you'll be able to meet up with any spectators who have joined you, so they may take your extra gear when you're ready to start. If you are in a later wave, you may want to walk and see both the start and the finish so you'll understand where you're going. Don't get into your wet suit until it's close to your start time or you'll overheat. Continue to be hydrating and eating, as necessary, so you'll be in good shape during the race. <<

Waves
Capri Events, who organizes the Chicago Triathlon, estimates 6300 people have signed up to race-hey this is the world's largest triathlon! That number is split between the Sprint and International/Olympic distance events. The racers are then subdivided into waves and each wave starts separately. Waves are organized by gender and age group. For the most popular divisions there will be more than one wave to accommodate the large number of participants in a certain age group. There are around 40 waves, and each wave has about 150-160 racers in it. As you get lined up near the start line line, look around; everyone should be wearing the same color swim cap and be the same gender and similar age. Each wave starts several minutes apart, so while you're out on the race course you'll be passing (or being passed!) by people who started both before and after you. <<

The Swim Start
As it gets close to your start time, you'll be asked to line up along the top of the harbor wall. Then, you will be asked to jump into the water just behind the starting line. You will be treading water for several minutes as they get prepared to start your wave. If you are doing the Sprint, you'll head north; if you're doing the International, you'll head south (see the routes page for details). Everyone in your wave will be doing the same race distance as you, so you'll all be heading in the same direction.

Try to relax as you're treading water and pick a place in the "starting bin" that makes sense for your swimming abilities. If you are strong swimmer, position yourself at the front. If you are a slower swimmer, or want to avoid some of the chaos of the start, move towards the back. Regardless of where you start, you will be jostled, kicked, and elbowed a bit, just prepare for it and stay calm. <<

A Word on Wet Suits
If the water temperature is 83 degrees or less, wetsuits are allowed. If you are racing for an age group award, the cutoff is 78 degrees. It is extremely unlikely the water will reach 83 degrees so you will have the option of wearing a wet suit. Wet suits add buoyancy, help with correcting body position, and give a sense of security. They also keep you warm, which is good in cold water, but can be too much in warm water (hence the cut-off). You will not NEED a wet suit because of water temperatures--it'll probably be in the mid 70s. Most beginners feel more comfortable in a wet suit, but if you don't have one that's ok-you'll do fine. And I would not recommend wearing one unless you've been practicing with it.

One of the frequent concerns with swimming in a wet suit is a feeling of hyperventilating. This occurs because we are unaccostomed to the tightness in the chest, and the material actually constricts when entering the cold water, but then loosens again when you start to swim and suit warms up. Some people feel you can avoid this by getting into the water early (as soon as they allow your wave into the water, jump in and start treading water). Then your wet suit will go through the contraction/expansion before you even begin the race. Otherwise, it is important to practice in the suit so you do not panic if you experience this tightness. <<

Swim Route & Exit
Check out the course pages for complete details on the swim. You are allowed, at any time in the swim, to stop and hold onto a life guard's boat or to the ladders on the harbor wall. You will NOT be disqualified or penalized for this. If you find yourself getting panicked, try to relax, and think about swimming slowly with good stroke technique. Avoid getting caught up trying to keep up with faster swimmers. There will be swimmers of all speeds and you should stay at a comfortable pace to get through the distance.

As you exit the water at the north end of Monroe harbor, there will be large submerged steps to help you climb out of the water. There are usually, also, large burly men to help you out of the water. Allow them to assist you.

You will exit the water and head up the path towards transition. Remember this run is about 1/4 miles so prepare for it as you finish your swim. You may be surprised how difficult it is to run at this point, don't worry. Take your goggles and swim cap off immediately. Unzip your wet suit and pull it down to at least waist level. You may wish to remove it entirely as soon as you exit the water, as it is easiest to get off while there is still some water inside of it. If you do that, move the side so you don't block the path.

To get to transition, you'll be running on the paved path or the grass right next to it. This hurts some peoples' feet and so they leave shoes at the swim exit. This is not an official practice, but no one will stop you. There is often a jumbled mix of shoes down there, so only you can decide if it's worth it.

A final note, this run to the transition gets factored into your swim time. If you care about these things, get your split time on your wrist watch as you exit the water. When you get your official time, you'll notice that your swim time is long (but your transition time is not that bad!). <<

Transitions
Ttry to find your bike quickly by looking for the landmarks you found in the morning or counting racks. Remember to walk your bike out and in to transition and have you helmet buckled before you start riding. When you return from the bike, again look for your markers, or count racks. <<

The Bike
Check out the course pages for complete details on the bike route. When you leave your bike in transition, put it in a lower gear. There is a ramp you'll be climbing at the start of the bike leg. Remember, this is the part where you get to ride on Lake Shore Drive! Interestingly, there will still be cars driving along on the two outer (right hand) lanes. Therefore, you are required to bike on the Left and pass on the right. This is not what you're used to, but do your best to stay left, especially if you are a slower rider. <<

Bottle Exchange and Turn Around
You will have the opportunity to get a new water bottle, full of water up near the Foster turn around. Just before Foster throw your bottle into the median. At Foster, slow down, you'll be required to go single-file around the tight turnaround. After the turn around you can pick up a new bottle. <<

The Run & Your Finished
There is nothing tricky about the run course, it is a nice flat course run primarily on the bike path. You'll go south, turn around, head north and end on Columbus Drive. Since it's out-and-back you'll get to see a lot of other racers. Look for club members and offer encouragement to each other! Smile for the cameras as you approach the finish line. Finally, make your way to the CTC club tent for a post-race massage and to meet up with other racers. <<

Good luck and have fun!

For more information:
CTC's Ken Johnson prepared a transition tips document for Chicago Triathlon novices in 2002, for a clinic sponsored by the RunBig Chicago Clydesdales and Vertel's. You can download a PDF copy here.