Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Chicago

Chicago Triathlon
This past Sunday, I competed in my second Chicago Triathlon event. The race was on the same course as last year; however, the race “feel” was a bit different. Last year we had a wetsuit swim in the 66 degree water, this year non-wetsuit swim in the 73 degree water (and did lake water feel refreshing!!). Last year I was warming up in long sleeves in the 65 degree air temp, this year I was not doing much warming up besides swimming, as the air temp reached 92 degrees! Over the years, I have learned to try and conserve as much as possible before the race on hot days and that means little warm-up on the bike and run. The crowd and race atmosphere was still the same and I loved having a large crowd there to cheer on the pros.
With tougher conditions expected, I truly feel preparations for the race begin right from the moment you wake. I made sure to hydrate and eat a hearty breakfast with the noon start time. I slept in until 8:15AM (nice!) and had a PURE bar to get my body going along with water. At 9:00 AM, I ate a peanut butter and banana bagel with 20 oz of EFS lemon flavor drink. Prior to the race, I drank another bottle of EFS drink and made sure to have my aero bottle and an additional First Endurance water bottle filled. During the bike ride, I drank both bottles and this helped me stay hydrated to the race finish. Before I left for the race, I made sure to wear my Bite Tech mouthpiece so I would not forget it in my transition bag before the start!
One of my favorite parts of the race is the swim in beautiful Lake Michigan. The swim is unique in that the competitors swim the length of the boat harbor and spectators can walk along the pier and follow us as we complete the 1500meter swim. The swim reminds me of my swimming days, because I can breathe to my left and see my family and husband cheering me on and actually hear people cheering while we are swimming! The swim was a deep water start and I wore my TYR Sayonara over my race suit. I was very pleased with my swim as I was able to swim with Sara McLarty and Hailey Peirsol for the first half of the swim and lost about 20 seconds to Hailey and 30 seconds to Sara by the end of the long swim. The challenge before even getting to our bikes however is an 800 meter run to get to our bikes! Last year I opted on not putting on shoes, but the year I made sure to spend the extra ten seconds to put shoes on before the run. The ten seconds I lost putting on shoes, I gained by running ten seconds faster and my feet were much happier the remainder of the race! I quickly got out of my shoes, stripped off my Sayonara, and put on my Rudy glasses and Wingspan TT Helmet.
The first part of the bike on my Fuji D-6 and Zipp Zed-Tech 808 Front and Sub-9 rear Disc was tough. I enjoyed having Sara McLarty out in front to work and try and catch up with her. Sara was riding very strong and I did not take over the lead until the half-way mark of the bike course. The bike was warm and windy (but I guess it is always windy in Chicago). The bike course is very straightforward and non-technical, so it is a grinder (glad I had my mouthpiece!) The first part is a false flat uphill and the second part is a false flat downhill section (two loops) and we had a head wind for the downhill section…so we did not have a break. My muscles were screaming at me most of the ride, but I wanted to ride strong today so I kept pushing on through.
Exiting the bike, my legs felt heavy. I quickly put on my Saucony Fastwitch flats and headed out of the 800meter transition area. I crossed the first mile marker and had a feeling the run was going to be a long, hot 10k. The first three miles was mostly a slight downhill, however, we had a headwind the entire way so it felt as if we were running uphill! I was very glad to cross that finish line and break the tape. So many factors can happen during a triathlon, you never know what obstacles are going to come your way. I was very happy and appreciative to walk away with a back to back win!

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All Matching!

All Matching!
Some of the new 2011 TYR cycling kits matched great with my Fuji and Zipp wheels!

Run Shots!

Run Shots!
New 2011 run gear. Poor TJ was quite sore after his 70.3 the weekend prior.

Downtown Sydney

Downtown Sydney
This is taken from the 20th floor of my hotel room. You can see just to the left where we swam in near the Opera House.

Check out the Scenery

Check out the Scenery
Out training in Idaho before heading to the airport! Beautiful lake in the background.

Ready For 2024!

Ready For 2024!
My niece has my suit and Speedo backpack...ready to train (but I think she mentioned she was going to Six Flags!)

Marin Triathlon

Marin Triathlon
Becky and I hanging out at the awards post race

Seoul WCS Finish Line

Seoul WCS Finish Line
I though I had finished the race, but I forgot to cross the timing matt completely until 10 sec later!!

Holding the Cup!

Holding the Cup!
Race to the Toyota Cup winners in Dallas, Texas. The cup was heavy...and brrr it was a cold weekend in Dallas!

Post-Race

Post-Race
Matt Reed was first for the men's race

Crossing the Tape

Crossing the Tape
Always a good feeling to break the tape!

On the Bike in Minnesota

On the Bike in Minnesota
Here I am on my Blue at the Lifetime Fitness Triathlon this past Saturday

LTF Swim Start

LTF Swim Start
Here we are right at the horn (I am in the Blue). Thank Paul Phillips for all the great pics more at: http://www.competitiveimage.us/tri/Sarah-Haskins/index.html

Bike Shot

Bike Shot
Out on the bike course---quickly going through my bottles!!

Flying Dive

Flying Dive
Here I am headed back into the water after the first lap.

Crossing the Finish!

Crossing the Finish!
4th place

T2

T2
I am headed into the transition area--ready to run!

Washington DC WCS #3

Washington DC WCS #3
Here is a pic of my bike pack out on the course

Ready, Set....GO!

Ready, Set....GO!
My parents came to visit me in Colorado over Memorial Day weekend (Nate was out of town). They came along to a track workout and Sarah wanted to race me!!!

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo

Cheyanne Mountain Zoo
Feeding the giraffes---they have LONG tongues...

Enjoying a Popsicle!

Enjoying a Popsicle!
Maybe most is not getting in her mouth...but that's not always the point, right? Sarah and my parents are enjoying a lunch at the training center.

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes

Run Workouts For Runners and Triathletes
Here is a picture of Bobby McGee's new book.

Babies are Wiped Out

Babies are Wiped Out
Megan and I are holding the sleeping girls---

Sarah, Sarah and Anna

Sarah, Sarah and Anna
Sarah (2 yrs) is getting to know her new baby sister!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!

Sarah Sharing Her Tags!
When Sarah goes to sleep she puts the tags from her blankets on her eyelashes (she always uses the yellow one). She also thinks everyone else wants the tag when they sleep too---including her newborn sister!

Mom, Baby and Sarah

Mom, Baby and Sarah
Megan and Anna are both doing well. This picutre was the day Megan and Anna got to come home from the hospital. Sarah giving Anna some snuggels!

Michael and Meghan's Wedding

Michael and Meghan's Wedding
Nate and I are getting ready to walk down the asile for my brother's wedding.

High Powered Fans

High Powered Fans
These fans are the horsepower of the tunnel...very powerful! They can simulate speeds of 80mph.

Holding the Flower Girl!

Holding the Flower Girl!
Feb. 14th wedding day....Nate and I are holding our niece, Sarah. She did a great job walking down the asile at 23 months!

Inside the Tunnel

Inside the Tunnel
On my Triad, in my new aero position!

Last Minute Travel

Last Minute Travel
Here we are with our U-Haul...we made it safe and sound!

Wren Hollow Elementary

Wren Hollow Elementary
A couple of weeks ago I went back to my Elementary school and spoke to the kids about Triathlon, goal setting and the Olympics! They gave a wonderful welcome with signs, posters, and cheers!

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning
My Mom, Sarah and I are playing with Sarah while she is enjoying her new toy. This elephant is very strong...my Dad sat on it and it held (he is 230lbs!!)

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma
Here is Jess snuggling with her babies (Gwen and Rowan). Gwen looks a lot like Jess and Rown look like his daddy, Lucas.

Snow!

Snow!
This view is off my parents deck (the last picture showed the many colors of fall...but winter can be beautiful too!)

Post Parade

Post Parade
Busch Stadium in the background....looks different without the crowds!

On the Run in Beijing

On the Run in Beijing
Racing in the Olympics---if you wonder what the black strap is in my suit, it is my timing chip. It was falling off of my ankle on the bike and I did not want it to get stuck in my chain ring, so I ripped it off and shoved it in my suit!

Another View of Winter

Another View of Winter
Same view as earlier blog post, but with snow!

Holiday Night Out to Dinner

Holiday Night Out to Dinner
Nate and I with Tommy, Sarah (brother-in-law and his finace) and a friend of Sarah's. Tommy and Sarah are getting married October 17th.

Wedding in Minnesota

Wedding in Minnesota
Nate, my cousin Matt Beasley, his wife Lindsay and I. The wedding was beautiful!

Thanksgiving Parade

Thanksgiving Parade
Here I am ready to ride in the yellow Mazda (sponsor for the parade). It was great to see all the families and kids out to watch...

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View off my parents deck

Fall Folliage

Fall Folliage
View from my parents deck

Lake Shot

Lake Shot
View of the pond on my parents property