A report from Chris Foster:
The last few months have had me going back and forth from Europe, but last weekend I was able to make a shorter trip to the LIfetime Chicago Triathlon. The Chicago Triathlon (formerly known as Mrs. T's Triathlon back in the 90s) is touted as being one of the world's largest. This year was no exception with over 8,500 racers toeing the line last Sunday. Due to the massive numbers and the organizers desire to make the pro race the "main event", we were set to go off at noon--right at the height of a 95+ degree day! The field was stacked, as usual, because of the amount of prize money, Lifetime Series points, and prestige of the event itself. Highlights included two Olympians, the winner of St. Anthony's Triathlon, six members of various US National squads, and 70.3 champions.
With a tight in-water start, I was concerned with finding the right spot to have a good, relaxed swim start while everyone else was fighting and struggling with each other. Moments before the gun, I moved to the outside (counter-intuitively) to line up next to Matty Reed and hopefully a smooth, fight-free start. The gun went off and of course it was pure bedlam. Fortunately, I made the right choice as me and a few other ITU guys were in a small pack to the outside while everyone was frantically spazzing in the whitewater to the left of us. I did my best to remain relaxed, even around the crazy 180-degree turn and try to hold my good spot through the first half of the swim. With about 400m to go, I realized that I was actually in the front group, and having a great swim! Upon jumping out of the water, not only had I made the front group, but I had actually come out of the water ahead of Reed--who I had hoped to pace behind for most of the swim. Unfortunately, I stopped right before the swim timing mat to take off my speedsuit, so my time is registered a bit differently than the other guys, but it was still a great feeling knowing I had been right where I wanted to be!
After sort of blowing my first transition in all of my excitement, I headed out onto the windy, hot, flat, and boring bike course. I settled in pretty quickly and passed a few guys in the first five minutes to move back into the top 10. Unfortunately, I had missed the large group of eight that got out together, so I was on my own for the remainder of the bike. I could see the group working together in the distance (legally, of course), but I was stuck in the middle of nowhere, so I had a hard time keeping a steady pace. The wind, rising temperatures, and rough road surface made for a physically demanding bike that seemed endless.
Heading out onto the run, I immediately felt the effect of the heavy bike pace on my legs. Combined with the over 95 degree temperatures and the relentless sun, I was sitting in 9th and felt like I was walking through the first mile. As the miles ticked on and the heat began to sink into the other racers, guys started coming back quickly--with every pass, I began to feel better and better. Every time I passed another person, I was sure to dig deep and run by fast to give the impression I was feeling awesome. Classic old cross country trick we'd always use in the final miles of a race to make people give up and not even try to run with us--works like a charm in staggering heat! With a mile and a half to go, I saw the unmistakeable figure of Matty Reed (he's like 6'5") looming ahead. Determined not to miss this opportunity to beat one of the sport's greats, I put in a huge effort, nearly killing myself in the process. With less than a mile to go, I made the pass--trying to give the impression I was feeling great when really I was dying on the inside. The move worked, and I was able to finish 5th overall, just a handful of seconds ahead of the fading former Olympian!
This was by far my best finish in a big-city, LIfetime Series race against such a great field. I was especially excited because I had been racing so much, and essentially training through Chicago en route to World Championships in Budapest in two weeks. The conditions certainly weren't pretty, but I was happy to have a great result particularly when so many exploded in the heat. With so many great names finishing behind me, it gives me the confidence that I can gut it out when the odds are against me. The race also shows that my swimming and running are just about where they need to be when I face my toughest competition of the year in Budapest!
Thank you, as always for your support. Without the help of my friends, family, and sponsors, I would never be able to be successful at such a huge variety of races, against such a high-caliber field of competitors in such varied conditions. Even though I race more than almost any other active short-course triathlete, I know that this collection of experiences will better prepare me for the bigger, more important races, as they come. With only a few more races to go in this long (long, long) season, I am confident that I have the best group of people behind me that will help get me to the top!