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Accenture Escape from Alcatraz - TriathlonOther


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san francisco, California
United States
Total Time = 3h 30m
Overall Rank = /
Age Group =
Age Group Rank = 0/
Pre-race routine:

Got to San Francisco Friday at 11:30 pm PST...2:30 am my body clock. Was STARVING. Melissa was there early (thank god) and picked me up, then we found a KFC that was open. whoo hoo!

Saturday consisted of race day prep. Made yummy belgian waffles, got to race expo, did some shopping, got ART done on my calf (almost made me cry!), got a sweatshirt at the souvenir store, and registered. Met up with Lubin and Russell, both of whom I swim with at Masters and sat with them at the meeting. Pretty laid back race, I must say. No wristband, no written instructions! I was pretty panicked about the swim. Nothing like being told, just swim to the tower, you'll end up in the right place.

Got home, put bike together, went back to race expo to get my bike looked over, We tried to drive the course but got hopelessly lost. We gave up then went to dinner with Lubin and Russell. Got to bed early, but got woken up since our hotel was ridiculously loud and a whole group from a wedding returned at 11pm. ugh.
Event warmup:

Up at 4:15, walked to transition (only 4 blocks from hotel), got set up and said good bye to Melissa, got on the bus at 5:15. Got bodymarked and met some nice people from VA beach. Lubin and Russell finally showed up. Its basically hurry up and wait. Put on wetsuits, then onto the boat, where we got separated. I ended up meeting two guys from San Fran, one of which had done the race 6 times prior. They were fun and made me much more relaxed, and helped to point out where I would be swimming to. Then the horn went off, and the pros were off.
Swim
  • 35m
  • 2469 meters
  • 01m 25s / 100 meters
Comments:

Crazy, crazy, crazy. All of a sudden they herd us out the door on to the deck and then scream at us to "GO GO GO!!!" like we were attacked Normandy. I had no idea where I was or swimming to, just jumped off and looked desperately for the tower. After about 5 minutes the coldness wore off, and I was able to swim pretty well. I finally got into a rhythm, then someone from behind me smacked me right in the face, knocking off my goggles, thank god they ended up around my neck. The waves started in the middle of the swim, but it wasn't terrible, until it happened AGAIN! Had ANOTHER person smack me on the face and pull my goggles off! I have never had the happen once, let alone twice, in a race!

The tower seemed so far away...finally I saw the red roofed building we were supposed to look for. A kayaker appeared ahead of me and I got worried I was off course, but he just reiterated to me to go straight ahead. Finally saw people, and was so thankful to reach shore!!
What would you do differently?:

strap on goggles tighter!!
Transition 1
  • 00m
Comments:

What a crazy transition! up to the bag area, where I tried to get my wetsuit off but my hands weren't working! Melissa was there yelling at me to hurry. I finally go the suit off and my sneakers on, but running fast wasn't going to happen. I was still in shock I think. :)
What would you do differently?:

nothing! it was an odd transition!
Bike
  • 1h 16m
  • 18 miles
  • 14.21 mile/hr
Comments:

A LOT hillier than I thought! Turns out Melissa and I were way off on our attempt to drive the course. To give you an idea of how rough the first half was, I did it in 52 min and then the second half in 25 min! Lots of long long long hills and false flats. Plus by the cliff house and ocean there was strong wind. But absolutely gorgeous. Like stop your bike gorgeous. I just rode along, more like a bike ride than a race, taking it all in.

Highlight was seeing Andy Potts go blowing by and seeing Bison (yes Bison!!) in a field in Golden Gate Park.
What would you do differently?:

bike more hills, but my knees don't like that.
Transition 2
  • 00m
Comments:

Long way to run from getting off the bike, a big maze, so I just took it slow. I'm in no rush. Grabbed my camera. Was determined to have fun.
What would you do differently?:

Nothing, couldn't change position of bike rack!
Run
  • 00m
  • 8 miles
  •  min/mile
Comments:

My legs felt DEAD for about the first 4 miles. I was actually very concerned that I couldn't do this. I took a gel and had Cytomax at every stop. Came to a set of stairs and thought, hey, this isn't bad! Just walked up while others were running down (those darn fast people). I took pictures the whole time, even of Melissa taking a picture of me, and of Russell and Lubin whom I saw on the course. Finally at the top of the trail (this long single tracked trail that was really "rooty" and rocky, not easy to run on, we got to be on road, down hill, and my legs got to open up. A trail down to the beach, where I had to take a picture. I had never seen the Pacific Ocean, and it was spectacular. This guy heard me say that, and offered to take my picture. As he put it, winning the race wasn't looking like an option anymore. :) Then a mile run on the beach, and then the dreaded Sand Ladder. Really interesting. Just logs on a huge sand dune. I found a fun group to "run" the steps with. Then a woman that was an Elite blew by us running up the steps. Awesome. Apparently she had a bad bike and got caught way behind, but she was awesome to watch on the steps.

I met up with a really nice girl named Laurie from LA to run the rest of the course with. She was a rider growing up and she had been having IT band issues, and we had lots of fun just chatting taking it easy. Of course she outsprinted me at the chute, but I didn't really care. I was trying to find Melissa and wanted to give her a hug then run through by myself.
What would you do differently?:

Run lots of hilly trails, and run steps at a stadium!
Post race
Warm down:

nothing. we went sightseeing after walking home and getting showers!

What limited your ability to perform faster:

injuries and bad genetics. :) Plus my goal was to soak it all in. Mission accomplished.

Event comments:

I just loved this race. Hardest race ever (ok, non-IM). Definitely harder than the 3 HIMs I have done!! But absolutely gorgeous. Well worth the expensive race fee.


Profile Album


Last updated: 2008-01-10 12:00 AM
Swimming
00:35:00 | 2469 meters | 01m 25s / 100meters
Age Group: 17/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Suit: full
Course: Go 90 degrees to the left of where you want to go!
Start type: Plus:
Water temp: 55F / 13C Current: Medium
200M Perf. Remainder:
Breathing: Drafting:
Waves: Navigation:
Rounding:
T1
Time: 00:00
Performance:
Cap removal: Helmet on/
Suit off:
Wetsuit stuck? Run with bike:
Jump on bike:
Getting up to speed:
Biking
01:16:00 | 18 miles | 14.21 mile/hr
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Wind: Some
Course: Very hilly,some strong wind at points along the coast.
Road: Rough  Cadence:
Turns: Cornering:
Gear changes: Hills:
Race pace: Drinks:
T2
Time: 00:00
Overall:
Riding w/ feet on shoes
Jumping off bike
Running with bike
Racking bike
Shoe and helmet removal
Running
00:00:00 | 08 miles |  min/mile
Age Group: 0/
Overall: 0/
Performance:
Course: Very very very hard.
Keeping cool Drinking
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks?
Post race activities:
Race evaluation [1-5] 5

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2008-06-10 9:22 PM

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Elite
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Subject: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz


2008-06-10 9:40 PM
in reply to: #1458592

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Wow! Great race and report! I was there racing too and totally agree with you on everything you said... it's challenging and scenic and amazing. It sounds like you did an excellent job really enjoying it and having fun! Congrats!

Andi
2008-06-10 9:44 PM
in reply to: #1458637

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Elite
3770
200010005001001002525
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
I'm sorry I missed you, but I'll be back again!!!
2008-06-10 9:52 PM
in reply to: #1458646

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Ditto - I'll be back too if I am lucky enough! We'll meet up next year... our times were very close, too. Happy training!

Andi
2008-06-10 9:56 PM
in reply to: #1458592

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Master
1588
1000500252525
San Francisco
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
great job on a very challenging course.  Sounds like you had a good time out there.  Great pictures too!
2008-06-11 6:32 AM
in reply to: #1458592

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Expert
808
500100100100
Columbia, MD
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Great weekend, awesome race.  Now that you've done it once, you can just continue to knock down your time each year, right?  At least now you'll now where you're going on the bike.   Fantastic job!


2008-06-11 6:32 AM
in reply to: #1458592

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Member
19

burlington, vt
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Awesome job. Looks like you had a great time and the pictures are the best part! No one sees your race times in a frame
2008-06-11 7:00 AM
in reply to: #1458592

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Coach
10487
50005000100100100100252525
Boston, MA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz

very good job and even better way to enjoy the whole experience. This is one of the most do races and hopefully onc e of this days I can get over my sharkies phobia and od it

2008-06-11 7:50 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Expert
882
500100100100252525
Fort Bragg
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Great job! Way to hang in there during the swim.
2008-06-11 7:55 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Looks like you had a lot of fun! Hehe, yes, there are bison at GG Park  - they are totally random, but nifty

Edited by wurkit_gurl 2008-06-11 7:55 AM
2008-06-11 8:29 AM
in reply to: #1458866

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Elite
3770
200010005001001002525
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz

MelissaE - 2008-06-11 6:32 AM Great weekend, awesome race.  Now that you've done it once, you can just continue to knock down your time each year, right?  At least now you'll now where you're going on the bike.   Fantastic job!

 

awesome sherpa!!!   melissa could make a career out of this!!!



2008-06-11 8:31 AM
in reply to: #1458883

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Elite
3770
200010005001001002525
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
amiine - 2008-06-11 7:00 AM

very good job and even better way to enjoy the whole experience. This is one of the most do races and hopefully onc e of this days I can get over my sharkies phobia and od it

 

I forgot to mention as soon as my mom picked me up from the airport she told me someon was bitten by a shark on a practice swim the week before!  d'oh!!

2008-06-11 8:39 AM
in reply to: #1458592

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, North Carolina
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who slipped into sightseeing mode.  It's the most beautiful course I've been on and I found myself enjoying the scenery instead of concentrating on my speed and effort!  Congrats ... you did great!  I'm so glad I didn't know about the shark prior to my training swim that week.

2008-06-11 8:43 AM
in reply to: #1458592

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Master
2052
20002525
Colorado
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
OMG, sounds like such a fun race!! So jealous
2008-06-11 9:04 AM
in reply to: #1459080

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Alpharetta, GA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
I could have gone without knowing about the shark bite!! And there I am... feeling all comfortable out there during the 3 practice swims I did last week before the race...

Andi
2008-06-11 9:14 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Subject: ...
This user's post has been ignored.


2008-06-11 9:58 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Elite
2423
2000100100100100
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Awesome race out there.
2008-06-11 10:51 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Master
1565
10005002525
SMIBville
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
so cool.  that's all.
2008-06-11 11:57 AM
in reply to: #1458592

Champion
7704
50002000500100100
Williamston, Michigan
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
WHOOP WHOOP glad you had so much fun and GREAT JOB
2008-06-11 12:11 PM
in reply to: #1458592

Expert
892
500100100100252525
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Nice report... sounds like you had a blast (that's what it's all about!). Congrats!!
2008-06-11 12:53 PM
in reply to: #1458592

Expert
1166
10001002525
Northern VA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz

You look like you were having a great time! That sounds like a fun, but painfully challenging race. Congrats!



2008-06-11 2:32 PM
in reply to: #1458592

Sneaky Slow
8694
500020001000500100252525
Herndon, VA,
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Wow, sounds like you had a lot of fun at the race!!  I cannot imagine jumping off a boat the way you described it... awesome.
Z
2008-06-11 8:33 PM
in reply to: #1458592

Master
1652
10005001002525
Reston, VA
Gold member
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
Oh Boy, I would go into panic mode right at that boat! Great job, Amy!
2008-06-11 11:00 PM
in reply to: #1458592

Expert
683
500100252525
Lafayette, CA
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz

Great job on the race.  You should be very proud of you what you did. Ever time you see that island, you'll say to yourself "I own that puppy!"  It is a fun, challenging, wonderful race.   Congrads!

I tried to get a slot this year but was unsuccessful.

I was one of the crazy people cheering.  I think I pissed some people off with the amount of clapping--but oh well!  It is how I roll!

2008-06-11 11:34 PM
in reply to: #1461526

Elite
3770
200010005001001002525
Subject: RE: Accenture Escape from Alcatraz
wieczynski - 2008-06-11 11:00 PM

Great job on the race. You should be very proud of you what you did. Ever time you see that island, you'll say to yourself "I own that puppy!" It is a fun, challenging, wonderful race. Congrads!

I tried to get a slot this year but was unsuccessful.

I was one of the crazy people cheering. I think I pissed some people off with the amount of clapping--but oh well! It is how I roll!

 

don't worry, its just a matter of time. I think I'm in for the lottery again next year if I'm not going IM.

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