Escape from Alcatraz

I qualified for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon through my race at The Nations Tri last September. The pros have to sit quietly and wait to find out if they scored enough points through the new Escape Series to see if they get a spot to be invited to the prestigious event. What the Escape Series is attempting to do with bringing short course triathlon back is remarkable. Extremely well run events, event communications staff, and prize money. Its appealing. I really hope it works. My love for short course will never die and its where my heart still belongs.

The Crew checking out the sites

I was lucky enough to have several DC Tri club members adventure out to San Francisco with me and experience what I will call the race of a lifetime. Its almost hard to describe it until you do it.  I had heard about the sand ladder, the swells, the hills...but nothing really prepares you like just doing it!

I arrived on Friday evening, put my bike together, and went to sleep. Not very exciting.

Pre-race scoping out

The sites!

Saturday we woke up and Cindy, Justin and Jan and I headed to the beach to test out the waters. I initially just wanted to get in and see how cold it "really" was. I swim well in cold waters so was not really worried about that. The first minute was pretty uncomfortable but then I was fine. I decided I would double cap it to help keep some warmth in. I swam some yards and then retired to a quick spin on the bike and short run. I had a few bike issues so luckily was able to fix them with a few quick tools. Quintana Roo makes the bike SO easy to build and fix its great to know how to handle it. We also decided to drive the course in btwn meetings and for this I am thankful. This is the kind of course you DEF want to know before hand.

Found my friend Mark pre-race and we discussed swim tactics

I had a pre-race interview, the normal pro meetings,and then it was off to dinner and quick to bed.

The Expo was WAY cooler then an Ironman Expo...

Sunday Morning I woke up at 3 am and couldn't go back to sleep till my 4am alarm because I was so excited! Coming from the east coast 3 am was technically 6am so it was well past my normal wake up time. I felt pretty good and just told myself to "control your emotions" but also take it all in. This is going to be a hell of an experience.

I biked over to transition, got my transition all set up, and then got on the bus with other fellow pro Robin. We had some fun chatting and keeping each other calm as we got on the boat. The Pros had the whole 3rd Floor on the boat and a delightful breakfast buffet layed out. HA! If only I could have eaten some of it! There is some perks of racing pro....

It almost seems scary to think we did that....

About 30 mins before we were set to dive off we started putting our suits on and the announcer was letting us know of the 3 landmarks to swim to. The currents are so strong that they persuade you to swim as far left as you can and not straight to the point you want to go. I however, had NO problems, what-so-ever viewing any of the landmarks, but I do recall thinking I was never making any progress on them and it seemed to take forever.

The Swim:
Male and Female Pros got to go off together. Theirs alot of debate about male and female going together but for this race I thought it only made sense. The more of us, then there was the less chance of us getting lost at sea. Also, all age group athletes had to be off the boat in 6 mins (2000 + athletes) so there was no break and off they went 30 seconds behind us.

Typical to racing short course, most athletes are strong swimmers. Instead of listening to the announcer, the pros dove in and Bee-lined it straight to shore (because we are strong swimmers duh). Well, this worked and it didnt work...I had a reasonable swim. 26 mins or so for "1.5 mile " swim. I couldnt help but notice some age groupers taking the "L" that was mentioned to catch the current in on the last swell. The fast guys beat me to the beach and that was dis heartening. DoH. One thing learned, one thing to fix the next time.

This is not me...But all those white caps are people swimming..all. over. the. place.

Final thoughts on the swim: It was absolutely the hardest swim I have ever done. I was never scared or never thought I wasnt going to make it but it was  just very challenging. You could never let your guard down. It was wave after wave, chop after chop. I dont think having buoys would have actually helped you swim better in this event. Its the name of the game and super cool to have a non-traditional, " swim as fast as you can to the exit" kind of swim, and you dont have to go around any turns, and thats your time kind of race. My Zone3 Vanguish Wetsuit was PHENOMENAL. Other then it keeping me the "perfect temperature", I almost felt like I didnt even have a wetsuit on. In the past I have always struggled with wetsuit swims making my arms very tired. My arms had free range because of the magnificent flexibility built into the Wetsuit. Bravo Zone3!

T1:  I dont usually write T1 but here you have a good long run back to transition. Most people put out shoes but I decided to run "commando". Just ran all the way back and that was that. My feet started to hurt just near the edge of transition so it was perfect timing to hop back on the grass. To my surprise they were not numb and thus I decided to ride sockless for the ride.

The Bike:
I flying mounted and off I went. My garmin froze so I lost about a mile on the bike. The bike starts on a flat 1 mile section before you start to climb your "longest" climb of the day. Roughly 1.8 miles and you just keep going up. If you have ever been to San Fran before you know the hills are steep and thats just what they were. Short punchers. The majority of the problem being the road conditions (shit) and all of the descents were into very tight corners (scary). I was riding so hard at one point I thought my wheel was rubbing, but alas, I  was just riding hard!   I got into the golden gate park and knew this was the semi "Flat" section before turning back and heading back. 18 miles seems so short, and it was ...However ,The ride was about 1500ft of climbing so not short of easy. I drank my whole bottle of nutrition on the bike ( I added a bit more to my mix to account for the cooler temps) and was actually impressed I drank it all. Years ago in short course I had problems drinking because your going so stinking hard!

Picture of the Sand ladder--- Just about half way down it. I mean it was atleast beautiful right!?

The Run:
Ah, The run. The part I was looking most forward to. I dont know why really...but I just was. and.it was. SO. FUN. Stairs, and hills, headwinds, sand, sand ladder, more stairs, and a TUNNEL! I had to take my hat off just so I could make sure I made it through. No one told me about that. So cool!
The last two miles we were back on the road and I told myself this is not a time to be comfortable. MY last two miles were my fastest and I was sure to "drain the tank" like in all short course races. 

Finish line photo

I escaped! Apparently my chip was broken and did not work so I scared the heck out of my mom, but I finished 7th place pro and was happy with my effort. Sometimes (most of the times) its so much more then just time and position. To be out there pushing myself and having fun and dealing with all the obstacles. Thats what its about. Leave it all on the course and never look back. After a few days to sit on this I have made the decision, I HAVE TO GO BACK!

Post Race Tacos with Old Aggie Friends, Cuz Texas.