I encourage everyone to race the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon.
One of the unique things about triathlon is that you compete on the same course that professionals do.
At the end of the day you can say "hey, remember that tough hill on the bike?" and know that you and the pro's did it.
You can't say the same about other sports. You can't go shoot three pointers with LeBron James.
In the Escape from Alcatraz, you really do 'rub shoulders' with the pro's when you are running on the rocky, rooted, single track run course.
Sometimes you get to say to yourself "Leanda Cave is tall!" as she traverses past you on under the San Francisco bridge.
If anything, you are humbled and appreciate how fast and talented a professional athlete is.
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After a few years of longer distance racing, I decided to have an 'off year' and try new things.
I went into the San Francisco Escape from Alcatraz with the mindset that it is a vacation with one tough workout.
MORNING:
My routine consists of getting up early and putting away lots of calories. However, I wasn't really hungry nor worried as this is a shorter race, and I haven't done one in a long time. So I slept in until 5. That felt good..
I took my time, got ready, and loaded up.
I rode my bike down to the race start and set up. I wasn't entirely sure how to set up. Arm warmers or not? Vest or not? Gloves? You also need to account for no change tents nor people to rack your bike for you. Good idea taking my headlamp.
Once I was set up I headed to the buses. They shuttle you away from transition area to where you board the San Francisco Belle ferry.
PRE-RACE:
I was worried about being cold on the boat so I brought a space blanket and gloves. I ended up not needing them as you have enough shelter on the boat.
I asked someone to help me zip up my wetsuit and she was happy to oblige. Then I noticed it was Sarah Groff!
Unfortunately I got really warm and ended up unzipping. We also had to wait for the cruise ship to pass as they were running late that morning.
I also noticed there was a considerable amount of chop this morning. I already knew it was going to be cold from my pre-race test swim.
(Have you ever seen the second Batman movie where the convicts and citizens are on the boat, waiting for their fate? That was a similar scene on the ferry, except you were grouped by age).
Once start time neared, everyone started making their way to the exits to re-enact the scene where lemmings jump off the cliff. (Matt Reed is tall)
I pushed my way to the start and got a decent position. Next time I'm sitting right by the doors!
SWIM: (1.5 mile)
The pro's got about a minute head start. I wasn't sure when the age groupers were going (it was less than a minute after).
They wanted to have all 2000 or so athletes off the boat in under 8 minutes. Sounds like a fire drill to me.
To be honest, I had no idea where to swim. I remember seeing some of the landmark sightings that were mentioned but..how do you know when to switch your focus? Luckily, the pro's had a lead boat with a big orange buoy on the back.
I only wore the one cap given to us and no booties. Yes, the water was cold (50 F) but after a minute or so you don't notice. It was the chop that beat me up.
It felt like a long swim because of that. I could feel my stroke breaking down as I neared the end.
I say that I didn't notice the current, but after looking at my swim time I knew that I times it well, caught it and 'surfed' it in.
There was no drafting to be had as people were scattered everywhere! Oh yeah, I have never raced in salt water either.
T1:
A LONG transition run. Approximately 1/2 a mile. You were given a bag to put some items in that would await you once you exited the water. Suggested items included a small towel,
a bottle of water to rinse your mouth, and a pair of extra shoes to run in. I had only a small towel and water. At this point, I had no shoes to run in anyway but surprisingly, it didn't bother me too much running barefoot.
I fumbled around at my bike. Total T1 time was 8 minutes. Next time, I won't need a vest or arm warmers. I left my gloves and headband behind.
BIKE: (18 miles)
Hilly, scenic and fun! Good choice taking my road bike with clip on shorty TT bars. A road cyclists delight for a course!
Asphalt rough at some times, and some tight corners.
I couldn't believe how far ahead the men's leader was. He was coming back into town as I had completed 6 km.
I tried no to burn too many 'matches' on the bike course. Even paced the hills, pushed where I could, but I feel that I left a bit of it out there on the course.
I took two full bottles of fluid on the bike.
T2: Once again, a long run with my bike. 3 minutes was much better.
RUN: (8 miles)
One of my favorite runs. So much so that we ran it again two days later for fun!
Asphalt, gravel, shale, army bunkers, concrete stairs, wood stairs, roots, branches, beach, sand stairs, highway... all part of the run.
At times it was difficult as there is a lot of single track. Note to self: There are no porta-poties on the run course!
FINISH:
Great atmosphere. I tried to live it up and get the crowd going.
Had a massage, got my picture taken with women's winner (Heather Jackson) and changed into some warm clothes.
I drank lots of banana creme muscle milk after. YUM!
We went for clam chowder in a sour dough bowl after that for lunch.
Then, it was the Alcatraz night tour!
Pictures are of me geeking out with Heather Jackson, my GF Barb and Pete Jacobs.
Check out the local media pictures:
http://photos.mercurynews.com/2013/03/03/33rd-annual-escape-from-alcatraz-triathlon-in-san-francisco/
