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Discussion: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!!
Subject: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Tim O. Written on: 2006-06-06 09:25:52 Message: Well here it is 2 days after Alcatraz and I think I am finally starting to recover. If you ever want to do a fun, hard and very unique race the try the Escape from Alcatraz. My quest for competing in Alcatraz started last November after seeing it on TV. I then decided that I wanted to qualify and go. (There are only 2 ways to get in to Alcatraz, qualify at one of 7 sites (5 US and 2 Foreign) or get in on the lottery). I qualifed at Florida's Great Escape held in March this year and didn't realize what I had gotten myself in to. I trained what I considered to be correct and hard for the event (hence my massive amount of calories burned in May) however it was harder than I imagined. I could talk on and on about the race however jumping off a boat right next to Alcatraz along with 2000 other athletes in less than 5 minutes was a trip. It was hilarious as we all funelled out 4 openings in the side of the boat to jump in the water and start heading to shore. Once we got to shore we had a quick transition to get out of the wetsuit and put on your running shoes to run (0.5_ miles) to the bike transition. The swim was very rough and it took constant adjustments on my part to get my line right to shore. The 55 degree water was not as cold as I had thought and I practiced in it the day before. The bike ride was gorgeous up and around through the presidio and then down to the beach through another park and then a hill climb again out. All in all there was 13 miles of climbing in the 18 mile ride. Quire a tough ride especially with so many people all around due to the mass start at the swim. The run started out along the bay side trail and then came the first set of steps to climb up to the Golden Gate bridge area of the Presidio. THen along the ridge through a tunnel, some woods, more stairs, more hills and finally a decent to the beach. The sand was way soft and at the turn around you realized you had the SAND LADDER coming. I had practiced the sand ladder on Friday however it was much harder after having run on the beach to be able to push it up them. Finally, I reached the top of the sand ladder and then more climbing. Finally to the top of the presidio and it was all down hill from there to the bay side trail. Then flat for another 1.5 miles back home. This was the hardest Triathlon I have done in my 2 1/2 years of competition and I can say the most interesting. If you want the thrill of a lifetime do Alcatraz. It is definitely worth the cost, the time and the effort to get there. I finished in 2:47, which was good enough for 17th in my 45-49 Age group. I was aiming for a 2:32 however the waves and the hills just did in my performance.
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Ronald F. Written on: 2006-06-06 09:56:32 Message: Tim, I am envious, that race is on my wish list. You did great racing among the toughest competitors in the world in one of the toughest races. Ron
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Jamojman . Written on: 2006-06-06 10:40:27 Message: Congratulations. They showed last years Escape on fox a while ago and the boat start looks amazing. Congratulations on conquering the infamous SAND LADDER, is it really that bad after running along the beach? Have you been practicing running stairs in your training?
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Jael A. Written on: 2006-06-06 10:42:56 Message: Tim, Congratulations!!!!! My hat goes off to you! Like Ron said, one of the toughest races around, with tough competitors...you are awesome Tim! Jael
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Leo d. Written on: 2006-06-06 12:01:23 Message: Wow, I hope to get there one day. Congratulations! Leo D.
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Jacqueline T. Written on: 2006-06-06 12:24:06 Message: Congrats Tim! Sounds like you did amazingly amongst a tough feld of competitors and on one of the hardest courses in the world! I was out there cheering with teammates the whole time - hopefully i gave you a high five and a shout! I tried to get in by lottery this year but it didn't work out - can't complain though, going down to maui this weekend to do my first tri!! good luck in the future - hope to see you on the course next year!
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Don N. Written on: 2006-06-06 12:58:02 Message: Great job Tim! I know you will do better next year.
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Andy M. Written on: 2006-06-06 13:06:43 Message: Nice job Tim. EfA is a race I have always wanted to do. Andy
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Tim O. Written on: 2006-06-06 14:22:33 Message: Jael, Andy, Don, Jacqueline, Leo, Jamojan and Ron -thanks for all the kudo's. It truly was the race of a lifetime. The boat start was incredible. The whole experience is just way different than any TRI and way incredible. Jamojan ---- My bike/run training did involve hill training in Clermont Florida every weekend. For the run I would say that running Sugarloaf is the best practice for the sand steps that I can find in Central Florida. After you finish the Sand Steps you still have about another mile up hill on a narrow trail before you get to the top. And yes the Sand Steps where very hard after the beach run. The sand steps are really about 4-5 inch diameter wooden posts (about 6 feet long) that are connected together via cable. All laid in the sand going up. I didn't run in the sand but ran from post to post when I could as the sand was way to soft to get traction. Jacqueline: thanks for the yelling and now I recognize your picture sitting at the park at the end of Van Ness. I did a swim practice there on Saturday. 55 is chilly!!!!! If I lived in Georgia then it would be much easier to find hills that compare to the bike portion of the race. I definitely know how to train for it now that I have done it. Also, it was definitely neet seeing Hunter Kemper, Matt Reed and the other Pros coming back on the run when I was just starting it. Thanks from your Alcatraz Escapee, I hope all of you become an inmate one day for the thrill of a lifetime.
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Lawrence D. Written on: 2006-06-06 17:20:34 Message: Tim, I was beginning to wonder where you were! I'm used to seeing you leading the pack under the "Superstars." You completing and competing in that race is just too cool! You're an inspiration. Lawrence
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Jeanette M. Written on: 2006-06-06 17:46:42 Message: Congrats on a great race. I could never survive that water. brrr...The bike and run sound great. The Presidio is so beautiful.
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz - What an experience!!!!! By: Curtis H. Written on: 2006-06-06 23:37:33 Message: 55 isn't a water temp - it's an age category (mine, next year). Congrats on a great experience.
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