(NOTE: This is the final installment of a three-part recap of my experience at the 2026 SuperTri Chicago – Olympic race. Catch up on Part 1: The Swim and Part 2: The Bike.)
I exit T2 with fuel in my pockets and realize immediately I grabbed too much 🤦🏻♀️ It’s bouncing around and that will NOT do for 6.2 miles. I take it out of my back pockets and plan to toss it to the first friends I see.
I follow my training and the advice of coaches and start slow giving my legs and hips time to adjust to the impact shift. Just after mile 1, I hear “Channing!! Chhaaanniinggg”
“I hear my name but I don’t see my people,” I say both excitedly and confused.
I turn the corner and I spot them. Lauren is jumping up and down cheering and Alex is videoing.
“You look so strong!!” she says. And I felt it.
“I am having so much FUN!!”
Only One Goal for the Run
My only goal for the run was to stay consistent. One step, one mile at a time. (Per usual) By mile 3.1 I’m feeling good.
“Maybe I can negative split this thing 🤔,” I think. “Let’s just see..”
So I start push the pace a little each mile and start picking off runners one at a time. I come off the section by the aquarium and again I hear my name. There are five more friends all cheering as I head to the final hill that’ll take me to the finish.
“Just keep running, just keep running,” I think.
The Final Push to the Finish
I peak the hill and there is Patrick.
“Channing!!! You’re looking great!!”
I turn right onto Columbus and hit the gas – hard! He runs with me, filming the whole time. I am feeling like a boss and am giving it all I have.
“Where’s the bell??! ” I scream to the crowd. “Someone tell me what side the bell is on!”
I spot the First Timer bell in the right and head straight for it. I earned the right to ring that sucker and I was NOT going to miss it.
Sarah is on the left with her camera out cheering.
“We did it!!!” I scream to her as I ring the heck out of that thing and get my final push across the line.
“I did it. I actually did this 🥹” I think.
A volunteer places the medal around my neck, I grab a water and walk toward the finisher chute exit. All of a sudden I am grabbed full body so hard I don’t realize who it is at first. It’s Jaclyn. We keep hugging & jump around together laughing.
“You did it!!!” She says as the pride swells in my heart.
I did it 🥹
Project: Become a Triathlete – COMPLETE!
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