Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon - TriathlonOther


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San Francisco, California
United States
IMG
Total Time = 3h 47m 40s
Overall Rank = 1371/
Age Group = M 30-34
Age Group Rank = 201/208
Pre-race routine:

I woke up at 0345, 15 minutes before the alarm was scheduled to go off. Drank some gatorade and are some powerbar gel blasts. Rode the bike from the host hotel to the bike check in. Got transition set up and jumped on one of the first buses to the boat.
Event warmup:

Who needs to warm up when you are as slow as I am?
Swim
  • 36m 5s
  • 2640 yards
  • 01m 22s / 100 yards
Comments:

I was nervous to jump into the water because of the cold. I didn't take a pre-race swim to feel it out. When I jumped in the water felt fine. I didn't notice the cold until I tried to put my face in the water. I warmeed up quickly, but noticed that I had to breath every 2 strokes. I figured this was because of the cold. The swim felt fast due to the currents. A couple of times I rolled to my back to look at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge. It was pretty amazing. It felt like a huge accomplishment to complete this swim.
Transition 1
  • 12m 17s
Comments:

I got out of the water and up to the bags with running shoes and a bottle of water. There was a .5 mile run to the transition area. I took my time during this run.
Bike
  • 1h 20m 37s
  • 18 miles
  • 13.40 mile/hr
Comments:

I didn't train for the bike on this race. Life has a way of getting in the way. I was very slow, but managed the hill ok. I have never been on a descent as steep of the toughest hill. It was nerve racking.
What would you do differently?:

Actually train.
Transition 2
  • 02m 44s
Comments:

T2 went well for me.
Run
  • 1h 36m
  • 8 miles
  • 12m  min/mile
Comments:

The first and last 2 miles are flat. Half of the run occurs on hilly, narrow trails. Passing was difficult, although I wasn't passing much. Midway through the run the course takes you on a beach. I felt like this was sapping the energy from me. Then the notorious sand ladder. Both of my legs started cramping on the ladder. You just have to push through this portion. It is out and back so you know that the return is going to be like.
Post race
Warm down:

headed to the post-race food. Ate some fruit and a snack cake.

Event comments:

This was an amazing experience. I got in through the lottery and will continue to enter the lottery every year. I just failed to train properly. The run and bike were over the most beautiful course I have ever taken. Highly recommend this race!




Last updated: 2010-05-18 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:36:05 | 2640 yards | 01m 22s / 100yards
Age Group: 0/208
Overall: 1186/
Performance: Average
Suit: Xterra Vortex 3 Full
Course: L shaped swim from Alcatraz to the shore.
Start type: Dive Plus:
Water temp: 55F / 13C Current: Low
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Below average Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 12:17
Performance:
Cap removal: Average Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Yes Run with bike: Yes
Jump on bike: No
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:20:37 | 18 miles | 13.40 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/208
Overall: 1399/
Performance: Bad
Wind:
Course: Hilly, two climbs about a mile in duration.
Road:   Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 02:44
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
01:36:00 | 08 miles | 12m  min/mile
Age Group: 0/208
Overall: 1460/
Performance:
Course: Hilly with lots of stairs.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge Too hard
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Average
Race evaluation [1-5] 5