Chicago, Round 3

I had missed 2014 and it devastated me. Truly. Watching my cousin do a 70.3 while I was recovering from surgery was painful, knowing that I should have been doing it either with or instead of him. And I know that sounds petty and childish, but it's how I felt. I was the better athlete! Why had this happened to me?! But I had a year to dwell on these feelings, to embrace the pain and let it drive me. And dammit, I did!

August 30th, 2015. This was my year. I knew it. I had a plan. I had the "right" equipment. I was going to do this. I didn't tell anyone, because I usually don't share my goals, but in my heart of hearts, even with the run/walk, I knew I could break three hours. And when I set a goal, world, you better watch out!

The swim. I finally bought my own wetsuit! I knew I was going to need it for Superfrog, and I knew I was going to keep doing triathlon, so it seemed like a solid investment. And it was! I slid through that water like I was a dolphin or seal or something. Sleek and kicked ass. 2013 time= 30.18. 2015 time= 25.02. Holy bananas Batman!

The bike. I made another solid life investment during the past 2 years--aerobars! I didn't have a proper bike fit, and as it turns out, my bike may even be the wrong size (meh--he's my baby!), but damn did those aerobars feels awesome. And! They had changed the course! We now got to loop down onto Lower Wacker and actually be Batman. Holy bananas Batman!! So, so much fun. I got into aero and FLEW! No idea how fast I was actually going, because no fancy watches or bike computers yet, but it felt like I was the fastest cyclist on earth. Obviously I was. Obviously. 2013 time= 1:25.50. 2015 time= 1:20.34. Woo!

The run. Oh mother trucker not this again. This nemesis of mine. This relentless battle with which I continually needed to engage. I didn't. I didn't have to do triathlon. But I actually did. So the run. I had made it up to seven minutes running, one minute walking. I also walked through the aid stations. Because food. It was tiring and I didn't enjoy it, but I had trained to do it this way and I did. It was remarkable. 2013 time= 1:14.08. 2015 time= 1:03.19! I had almost broke an hour! WHAT?!

2013 time= 3:20.28
2015 time= 2:59.56

I DID IT!!! It might have been by only 0.04 seconds, but I broke three hours. Nothing could stop me now!