Mark's Escape From Alcatraz
I'm a 15+ yr Bay Area "native" and had always always always wanted to do this race. I commute over the GG Bridge and admire Alcatraz daily - my swim workouts are in the Presidio - the bike and run portions were part of rides or runs that I did as an undergrad and later. And frankly, everyone thinks your crazy for doing it! I got a late lottery spot last year, had a good time, finished under 3 hours and had plenty of admiration from my family, friends, and colleagues.
However, my new tri-friends wanted to do it this year ("we do it every year") and goaded me into the lottery - I had my eyes on a mid-season olympic the following weekend. So, I got a spot, none of them did (they subsequently did the charity entry route)!
Despite forcasts for more rain, the morning of the race was sunny. Despite all my OCPD planning, I forgot to bring my Garmin (#$^%*&
. I probably had time to jet back home and get it, but didn't want to chance it. I hadn't swam or run electronically naked in a while - so it was time to check my inner RPE and go for it.
There is alot of morning down time as you set up your transition, drop off your post swim bag, then get on a bus for a ride to the boat, mill around by the boat, take a boat ride, then swim. Anxiety, boredom, anxiety.
The Swim: Having learned from the year before that the earlier you are out of the water that the fewer people on the course ahead of you, I moved up early and hit the water in the first third. My goggles never got a good seal, and I had to stop frequently to adjust, dump the water and try and get a better seal. Time: 34:09 (last year 32:01)
In T0.5 all the bags are laid out in approximate race number order and there are vollies helping you find your stuff but its not perfect. I cramped a bit in the 0.5 mi run to the T1 but got my gear and headed out. I opted for the tri-bike (compact w/ 12-28) with aero helmet and SRAM S80s this year after an agonizing debate. Last year I was on a road setup (standard w/ 12-27) road helmet and "ok" wheels. My goal was to push, but not to flog. The year before I felt I spent way to much energy and ego on the bike and the run really suffered - so this year I was going to meter my effort better (by RPE alone!). Its very technical and I have to say, having done it both ways, I would recommend a road setup with aerobars - its lighter and with some of the turns you will hold better speed and safety. Time: 59:02 (last year 59:22 but I felt soooooo much better this year)
The run is awesome, beautiful and challenging: flat, stairs, trails, tunnel, military bunkers, mud, sand, sand ladder with billion dollar views (its the Bay Area, everything is more expensive!). It is very difficult to get into a groove and stay there. Having saved alot for the run (and newly discoverd RPE) and had an awesome run - pushed where I needed to, paced when I didn't, and really pushed when all the hard stuff was behind me. Time 1:06:26 (Last 1:10:40)
When I turned the corner to come into the finishing chute, I had no idea where I was time wise - and was surprisingly content about that. I crossed the line in 2:52 feeling like I had learned something and 4.5 minutes faster than the year before. Take away the technicals on the swim and who knows. I did the best of my weekly ride group (bragging rights!) and can officially take this off the list - at least until one of my kids wants to do it with me!
Comments
The reality is that its really cold, and so I don't swim there much. That morning it was about 53F (12C). I had a full suit and two swim caps, but no booties, squid lid or ear plugs - although I saw all combinations. I swam off the shore of San Quentin the week before and half of us wore wetsuits and the other half didn't. After 40 minutes, my speech wasn't garbled and their's was - surprised?
Although it seems like it, I'm not on a prison swim tour, although I guess the next stop would be swimming in Folsom Lake right by Folsom Prison - I think they've cleaned up the water since Johnny Cash was there!