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Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k - Swim


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Chicago, Illinois
United States
Chicago Masters
70F / 21C
Sunny
Total Time = 37m 50s
Overall Rank = 22/317
Age Group = Wetsuit
Age Group Rank = 3/88
Pre-race routine:

Got up early and drove in. Picked up packet & chip. Found some people from the Masters group and just waited around until it was time to get ready.

Had opted to wear a wetsuit and go for the 2.5k instead of 5k as that would be most similar to an upcoming HIM. Had talked this over with one of the coaches before, a triathlete named Scott, so was sure to listen.
Event warmup:

Didn't really do much. I was 7th wave and didn't feel like getting wet so far ahead of time. Probably should have though. Mostly arm circles as I walked into the water right before starting.
Swim
  • 37m 50s
  • 2500 meters
  • 01m 31s / 100 meters
Comments:

Hung around the outside of the start line, just a bit back. This was a swimming event, so figured more of them would be faster. I tend to end up going outside much of the time anyway. When the horn went off, started walking out (it was waist deep) letting the others get going first.

Surfaced and started swimming. Tried keeping a solid pace that wouldn't wear me out. Wanted this to be at least somewhat useful for HIM pacing. Sighting on the first leg was a bit difficult as I couldn't see the buoy past all the heads in front. Kind of knew where it was and just swam that way. Felt ok, but some stroke hitches that had come up this past week were showing up here too. Worked them out as best I could and kept going. Mainly a little torso positioning and rolling the barrel instead of clomping down on it. Felt a little burn in the lats which was ok as my body was getting going. Faded a little later on this leg.

Turned the corner and headed towards the skyline. They had announced it was easier to sight off the black & white striped building than the buoy, and this was right. Felt the earlier issues working out some at times and felt speed picking up because of it. No idea if it actually was though. Can't see anything relevant to tell out here. Saw a couple pink caps go by out here. These were the lead elite swimmers on their second lap for the 5k, starting 24 minutes ahead of me. A couple broke an hour, so they were really moving!

Made it to the turn buoy and went around easily for the home stretch along the seawall. Still felt good here, but knew I'd been swimming for awhile. Saw the bright yellow finish arch on shore and just sighted off that. Most people thought this leg felt really long, but it felt shorter than expected because of the way the map had been drawn, rather lopsided. About halfway down I figured this was about where an HIM would finish and picked up the effort just a bit for the remaining stretch as I had the energy for it. Lats were definitely tiring, but not drained.

Could see the bottom coming up as I got closer to shore and kept swimming until it was shallow enough to affect my stroke. Hip was still bugging me and wanted to run as little as possible, especially in the deeper water. No one else was around somehow, so had an easy time running up to the finish line. Plenty coherent to see the time and factor out the wave start time.
What would you do differently?:

Get in the water and warm up.
Post race
Warm down:

Hung around near the finish line and watched for others to come in. I was the first of the two 2.5k swimmers in our group and some of our swimmers are fast, but not like the first elite guys, so I was out first.

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Nothing too major, but some smaller things that would help.

Warm-up. Wasn't tired, but didn't taper going in. Swim straighter. Get rid of the form hitches.

Event comments:

Fun event. Will get back someday to do the 5k non-wetsuit.




Last updated: 2013-09-07 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:37:50 | 2500 meters | 01m 31s / 100meters
Age Group: 3/88
Overall: 0/317
Performance:
Suit: Sleeveless Wetsuit
Course: 1 lap in the bay off of the Ohio St Beach. Triangle shaped course.
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 72F / 22C Current: Low
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized?
Events on-time?
Lots of volunteers?
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5]

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2013-09-09 8:28 AM

Master
10208
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Northern IL
Subject: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k


2013-09-09 9:17 AM
in reply to: #4850610

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Master
6834
5000100050010010010025
Englewood, Florida
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Nicely done, it looks like you got a few things sorted out. Pretty cool stuff.
2013-09-09 9:30 AM
in reply to: cdban66

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Master
7712
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Orlando
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Great, super fast, job!
2013-09-09 9:34 AM
in reply to: amd723

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Member
2098
2000252525
Simsbury, Connecticut
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
that's really cool! Great job
2013-09-09 9:38 AM
in reply to: cdban66

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Melon Presser
52116
50005000500050005000500050005000500050002000100
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k

Holy fishie fachmie fast, Batman!!!

I dig the detail. Also that you were actually given good cues for sighting. Good race, on their part and especially yours!
2013-09-09 9:41 AM
in reply to: #4850610

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Royal(PITA)
14270
50005000200020001001002525
West Chester, Ohio
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Well done!  Some fast swimming for you!!


2013-09-09 12:07 PM
in reply to: #4850610

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Veteran
1677
1000500100252525
Houston, Texas
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Really nice swim!  And by the sounds of it (and placing), it seems that you don't need to worry about letting the fast swimmers go ahead....you are the fast swimmer
2013-09-09 12:10 PM
in reply to: ligersandtions

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Seattle
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k

Great job! Sounds like a really cool race.

 

Looking forward to hearing about that 5K non-wetsuit race next time Smile

2013-09-09 12:16 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

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Veteran
2842
200050010010010025
Austin, Texas
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k

Very nice swim!

From your comments/RR, it sounds like perhaps you weren't expecting to place so well.  Was this where you expected for placement and overall pace?  Looks like a pretty d@mn good result, IMO.   Faaast - just sayin'.  Laughing

Matt

2013-09-09 1:23 PM
in reply to: mcmanusclan5

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Originally posted by mcmanusclan5

Very nice swim!

From your comments/RR, it sounds like perhaps you weren't expecting to place so well.  Was this where you expected for placement and overall pace?  Looks like a pretty d@mn good result, IMO.   Faaast - just sayin'.  Laughing

Matt

I had no expectations on placing as it's so much who shows up. There are national team caliber swimmers there. At first I was a bit eh, ok on the time, but then realized what the pace was and am happy with that. This was mostly for the experience anyway.

2013-09-09 1:24 PM
in reply to: Asalzwed

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Originally posted by Asalzwed

Great job! Sounds like a really cool race.

 Looking forward to hearing about that 5K non-wetsuit race next time Smile

Haha, I'm sure you'll hold me to that one!



2013-09-09 1:24 PM
in reply to: TriAya

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Originally posted by TriAya

Holy fishie fachmie fast, Batman!!!

I dig the detail. Also that you were actually given good cues for sighting. Good race, on their part and especially yours!

Yes, they really know what they're doing. One of the organizers is in my masters group too.

2013-09-09 2:32 PM
in reply to: brigby1

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Pennsylvania
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
Wow, are you part dolphin?!   Super job, especially considering the company you were keeping.  3rd OA is excellent!
2013-09-10 6:53 AM
in reply to: #4850610

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Elite
7783
50002000500100100252525
PEI, Canada
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
That's a great swim!  Sounds like all your time in the pool is really paying off.  
2013-09-11 3:42 PM
in reply to: 0

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Master
6595
50001000500252525
Rio Rancho, NM
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k

Originally posted by melbo55Wow, are you part dolphin?!   Super job, especially considering the company you were keeping.  3rd OA is excellent!

What she said!



Edited by rrrunner 2013-09-11 3:43 PM
2013-09-12 9:04 PM
in reply to: rrrunner

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Veteran
945
50010010010010025
South Windsor, CT
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k
solid job, Ben...and I thought you were just a stud on the bike...ha!


2013-09-13 8:05 AM
in reply to: dtoce

Master
10208
50005000100100
Northern IL
Subject: RE: Chicago Masters' Big Shoulders 2.5k

Originally posted by dtoce solid job, Ben...and I thought you were just a stud on the bike...ha!

Thanks Dale. Joined a Masters group late last year and brought the bike training attitude with.

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