The goal of Chicago was to earn my pro card.  Things hadn’t worked out the way I had hoped at the USAT Age Group National Championship, and Chicago was likely my last chance to earn a pro card this season.  There are multiple ways athletes can earn a pro card, according to USAT rules.  I was going after one of the easiest methods: finish in the top 3.  Sounds simple enough.  Over 8,000 people race the Chicago Triathlon and all I had to do was finish in the top 3 women.  Sure, real simple....

I suppose no race will ever go 100% as planned and that is why it is important to have a plan B and maybe even a plan C.  Or you can just keep riding that flat tire all the way to T2.  I would advise a plan B, but allow me to elaborate…

Last Saturday I was in Milwaukee racing the USAT Age Group National Championship.  I had planned a big part of my season around this race, but had to adjust when I decided to add Frankenmuth to my schedule at the last moment.  But for me, this was still a...