How’s it going #Rammies? I’m sure you’re busy this week getting ready for the South Shore Tri! To help get your mind in the game I thought we’d quickly review the event’s history.
Official video from last year’s SST (2011).
Starting with blogger Sean Willson who listed some areas to improve on his race report for last year’s SST. Helpful points for all triathletes to consider!
Room for Improvement
Here are a few things I want to work on that I think would help lower my time.
- More open water swimming — It was very foreign to me and while I really liked it I need to practice.
- Fueling on the go — I slowed down several times while riding and bet I could have cut a bit of time had I fueled better while moving.
- Run, run, run — This one is obvious, my pace is kinda low still and I need to raise it for these shorter triathlon efforts. I’ll be happy if I can maintain this pace for my 70.3 but for a Sprint it needs to be higher.
- Leave it all out there — I feel like I still had more in my cycling legs when I finished. Being unsure what I’d need for the run I held some back on the ride. Next time I do a Sprint I’m going to focus on leaving it all on the course.
Those are a few of the things I can think of right now. I’m sure I’ll think of a few more between now and my 70.3. I’m pretty tired sitting here right now trying to finish writing this … now I just need to finish my detailed planning over the next 2 weeks so I can enter into August 14th being 110%.
Thanks for reading my first triathlon recap, I hope you liked it and maybe it inspired you to try your first triathlon. I know I had a blast and will definitely be doing many more in the future.
Last year was Sean’s first Triathlon, will this year be yours? A few registrations for the adult sprint are still available hurry!!
As you know, in addition to the Sprint and Aquabike distances for adults SST features a fantastic Kids Tri! Blogger Awesome Barb enjoyed what she saw last year:
Earlier today, my husband and I witnessed what was arguably one of the most awesome things in a long time–a triathlon that will stay close to my heart for quite some time. Which is saying a lot considering how involved we are in the sport.
In the wee hours of the morning, we headed down to 63rd Street Beach for South Shore Triathlon put on by RAM Racing. First of all, it was a standout event that was extraordinarily well organized. But most importantly, it provided enough motivation for each and every spectator to ask themselves “what’s my excuse for not doing this?!”
The Kids-Tri is special because of all the wonderful work done by the race’s official charity partner: Tri-Masters. Earlier this year Chicago Athlete’s Kyle Thele did a write-up about its founder Mr. Bernard Lyles:
While not completely uncommon, few kids decide to start their competitive “career” with the triathlon. This is something that Bernard Lyles is trying to change for kids in Chicago and its suburbs. … Lyles started with kids in the city who were just looking for a summer activity. He promised many of their parents and grandparents he would take care of them and keep them busy with a summer full of triathlon events. After just one successful year the program took off, Lyles never again needed to find or advertise for kids to come to Tri-Masters again. The problem quickly turned from finding kids, to supplying them with equipment.
“A lot of the kids involved could barely afford to be there, they couldn’t get their own equipment,” Lyles said. “The only way to keep them involved is to have some equipment for them to use. I’m always on the hustle to get used bikes, used wetsuits or anything I can.”
This year marks the first time Lyles will start a camp outside of Chicago, starting one in Matteson this summer. Kids from six to 14 can sign up and enjoy a summer of competition all leading up to Tri-Masters’ annual South Shore Triathlon Invitational. The Chicago camp will start June 11, while the Matteson camp will start June 25 to work around the kids school schedule.
You can get a good sense of the Tri -Masters and the event itself from this YouTube video (thx solarrefrigeration!)
Looking forward to seeing you bright and early Saturday morning #Rammies!
If you have questions or comments, please share via Facebook and Twitter (be sure to include #SouthShoreTri and/or #Rammies so we can find your tweet)!
By Charlie Danoff
Tags: South Shore Tri, South Shore Tri 2011, South Shore Tri 2012
