Garmin-sponsored triathlete Jenna Shoemaker shares her training and racing experiences with the Garmin Edge 705 and Forerunner 405.

I had a fantastic weekend in Chicago. It was the end of my 6-week racing block and I was eager to just enjoy the day. I did a few appearances during the weekend including an autograph session for at the Garmin Store on Michigan Avenue, where I was greeted by a number of very enthusiastic fans. I was also able to meet and chat with a whole number of age groupers which was really wonderful and always a good reminder of why I love this sport so much.

This was the first time that I got to break out my Felt AR TT bike setup and got to wear an aero helmet since last year. It being a different kind of racing from ITU, I was not sure exactly how hard to push myself on the bike (and it took me longer to get my helmet on in transition!). I had a decent swim, not fantastic but solid, and came out of the water in 6th place. I had a good run to transition and got on my bike still in 6th place. It was a very gusty strong head wind on the way out and a fabulous tailwind coming back. I tried to build through the bike leg so as to keep something in the tank for the run.

Coming into T2, I was in 5th place about 1 minute down off of 4th. I wanted to have a strong run, so I charged hard and ran well through about 8k when my side cramped up. I was a bit bummed out because I had hoped to post a quick run time on the day, but I just tried to keep it together, focusing on my technique and breathing, and I held on to a solid 5th place at the end of the day. It was a great day, perfect weather, great fan support and just an enjoyable experience overall. I look forward to racing in Chicago again next year.

Now, I am at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs where I am having some tests and evaluations done on some niggling areas in my left leg. Nothing major, but I want to take care of things so I can race to my absolute potential. Hopefully, we can get some answers and a strengthening plan sorted out in the next few days so I can get back to work for L.A. and Dallas in October. I will be based out of Boulder for the next few months as I wind down the season, take a break, and then start to ramp it back up for another year of hard work and even faster racing!

Take a look on www.slowtwitch.com for more photos from the race.