Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon - TriathlonOther

I swam better than I planned, but I swam LONG. Did not sight well enough early in the race, plus I jumped from the downcurrent portion of the boat - made me ~40 yards off-line. Mass start for the 2000 participants and I'm happpy to say (due to my long course selection), I had clean water the entire way. No bumping, run-ins. Did have to stop several times to clear my goggles (they leaked - not usual thing). Also switched to larger goggles (not new ones) and that helped keep face warm. Grant Ranch swimming helped tons with the cold.

Better sighting. More enjoyment of just being there - look around more. I would also put more bodyglide on my neck (SUPER BAD RASH after the race).

My massage took longer than I wanted, so a 10 minute T1. Plus - I had to send my expresso back (was cold). :-) Actually, there are two transitions - T1a and T1b. T1a is immediately after the swim where I removed my wetsuit and put on older running shoes. I then ran about .7 miles to T1b where the bike was set-up. I did not do a flying mount due to wet conditions and I did not want to run my bike the 150 yards in wet grass - wanted to keep my socks dry. Mounted good and got up to speed quickly.

Maybe run to T1b with wetsuit on. If dry, I'd do flying mount.

HILLY. Yea - super slow average speed, but the 30+mph downhill's never make up for the 10 mph uphills. I actually felt strong and passed a lot of people on the bike (~250). Bike was my strongest leg as it is my "strength" (if I have one). Saw several walking - one of them sheared their pedal off on an up-hill. Entire cours was either going up or down - only the first mile was flat. That said, I played it cautious and kept energy in the tank.

Passed one guy who complained that he was not told it would be so hilly. I smiled and commented - "I'm from colorado - nobody said it would be so flat" as I passed him. He laughed and I told him to keep going and we rode together a little.

Not possible to not draft in this race, but due to the hills, it did not help much.

Drive the course the day before - tried to, but did not have time with all he family there. I was afraid to push it too hard since i did not know what was coming.

Fell entering the transiton area (no flying dismount - dry socks too important). My cleat got snagged on the timing mat and I went down into he grass - lost my cycling computer during the fall. After racking and changing (it went well), I was thinking about looking for my computer again and headed back to the cycling entrance (which was the wrong direction). I ended up running an extra few hundred yards due to this little error. Probably cost me a podium spot. Wait, no it did not.

run the right way out of transition

Hard course to run. Several parts were single lane with traffic going both directions - could not pass. Several up and down stair areas beyond the famous sand ladder. Uphill for me when running sucked as usual; however, I passed a lot of individuals on the sand ladder (it is NOTHING compared to the incline in colorado springs - keep in mind Andy Potts won and he is also from Colorado Springs - hmmm... practice area for sure). Anyway, the pics after the race show improvement opportunities for form and I'll work on that. Also had some guy trip on a root while running a trail and used me for balance (read that as 'he pushed me from behind'). I managed to stay up and kept him from going down too.

Really not a standard type course - almost x-terra in nature.

Need improved form

Crossed the finish line and gave my family all kisses. Did not do anything else right. Some dog ate my chicken sandwich (his leash was too long and I was looking the wrong way). Did enjoy the pasta and other food - sitting with my family and Jan just having fun. Sun did manage to come out.

No way I was going to wait for the free massage.

After race - walked several miles around town - including up lombard street.


I'm fat, old, and slow.


Very fun race to just do and not worry about performance. Just plain fun and different. I'd do it again if the opportunity came around.