Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread (Page 3)

I'm in at Edwards...  Only the flight needs to be arranged yet.

Queen with private bathroom (that's a must since I could be pretty funky after the race...)

The 11th-15th...  I hope they don't mind me parking my bike in the room...

Who else is staying there?

First round is on me!

I wondered if that could be the case.  I might wait, but I'm excited and anxious to have all the arangements settled.  Make it more real...

It's funny, Virgin airlines says "two seats left!" at the price I want for a flight (in JUNE!).  How much do you want to bet, that after I buy the seats, two more come on the market for the same price....

What airport are you guys flying into?

My tix from Pensacola, FL to San Francisco are showing $500....just for little ol' me!

Check Oakland (OAK) and San Jose (SJC) airports. 

They're both about a 30 minute drive from  San Francisco.

 -ak-

How hard would it be to get to San Francisco from those?  Would you pretty much need to rent a car to pull it off?

Public transportation is available from either airport:

From Oakland: Take BART

From San Jose: Take CalTrain

Both BART and CalTrain take you into San Francisco.

-ak-

i'm looking at Tampa to San Francisco....$190'ish today.   anyone know if prices will come down after the first of the year?   i'm holding out and hoping so.

also, i really want to do a swim clinic the weekend of the race so i don't freak out race morning.  i was looking at this website http://www.waterworldswim.com/default.aspthat was recommended earlier in this thread.  

my concern is that if you look at the Alcatraz swim clinics, it says they only have 16 slots available for the swim the day before the race.  anyone have an idea if you really need to reserve a spot for the swim clinic?   i'm willing to reserve a spot if so.

anyone else planning on doing a swim before the race?

I did it last year (see previous post).  They don't typically fill up.  I think there were 8 of us in total.  I liked it and I plan to do it again.  For me, it's like sight seeing.  You can bring a waterproof camera.  Also, you'll learn how to sight, currents, etc.  I actually sighted off what the waterworld people told me (Fontana towers next to Ghiradelli, then fort mason, then palcae of fine arts) - which was a little different than what the race directors told us (sutro tower).  Either one would be fine for various reasons.  I found the waterworld landmarks easier to spot through my goggles.

Andi

I'd link to it but they don't have their calendar up yet.  It was the one on Saturday morning before the race.  They have it every year.  We went out on a boat and swam three different parts of the bay and it was around $100.  Considering the cost of the race, $100 was a drop in the bucket to make sure it went well on the swim.  We got a feel for the current and looked at the various sighting choices.  I liked being able to see the landmarks from the water before the race.  Unlike other open water swims, there are no buoys that "line the way" in the Alcatraz swim.  Everyone swims Alcatraz a little different depending on your speed.  I exited the water absolutely spot on - perfect.  It made the swim a really great experience.  Plus, I got a lot of really cool pictures from the water!

I also swam at aquatic park on Thursday before the race to get used to the temperature and practice in my wetsuit/squid lid.

Andi

I should correct what I said.  There are no buoys that line the way.  There are several kayaks on the extremes of both end of the swim, but I wouldn't sight them.  As a matter of fact, if you get too close to the kayaks, you will probably be repositioned!

Andi

Too cool!  C ya there!

Andi

Consider me PLUNKED!

Registered today.

Don't forget!

It was an expensive night...my USAT registration was expiring at the end of the year too.  I paid for a 3 year membership so it had been awhile!  I did the 3 year thing again.  I think that saves money.  Three years ago I swear it was less than $100.  This time it was $117.  But I used Christmas money for that.  Otherwise it would have been an over $500 night!  Whew!

I'm officially in!

Paid up today. Now I just have to find some cheap flights.

I agree.  I still may have relatives pick me up (due to the bike), but I have also taken BART with some pretty big suitcases in the past.

Another PLUNKER!!!!

Nice!!!  See you there (happy hour at the Edwards?)

Cool!