General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Rss Feed  
Moderators: k9car363, alicefoeller Reply
 
 
of 2
 
 
2010-12-17 10:41 AM

User image

Expert
989
500100100100100252525
Broomfield, CO
Subject: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
My life just changed :28 minutes ago.  I got the email confirming my spot for the 2011 ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON! I can't believe I actually got in via the lottery. 

Has anyone done this before?
Tips?
Advice?
Any and all information is welcome, actually the more information the better.

I'm freaking out with excitement, nerves  and joy!


2010-12-17 10:50 AM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I just got my e-mail too!  I will be there right along side you freezing my butt off as we jump from the ferry.
2010-12-17 11:25 AM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Member
57
2525
Warwick, MA
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Congrats and good luck to you both

2010-12-17 11:29 AM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Veteran
185
100252525
Grass Valley
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Congrats!  I think I'm going to try next year.
2010-12-17 11:39 AM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Extreme Veteran
592
500252525
Long Island
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Got mine too! Now I just need to convince the wife to take the kids outa school... Hmm, Might be a solo mission.
2010-12-17 11:41 AM
in reply to: #3252396

User image

Champion
6962
500010005001001001001002525
Atlanta, Ga
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Butchcantswim - 2010-12-17 12:29 PM Congrats!  I think I'm going to try next year.


There is a second lottery next month I believe.


2010-12-17 12:43 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Veteran
297
100100252525
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I got in as well!! can't wait! bucket list race.  how hard is it to get in by lottery???
2010-12-17 12:49 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
bradaskins - 2010-12-17 10:41 AM My life just changed :28 minutes ago.  I got the email confirming my spot for the 2011 ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON! I can't believe I actually got in via the lottery. 

Has anyone done this before?
Tips?
Advice?
Any and all information is welcome, actually the more information the better.

I'm freaking out with excitement, nerves  and joy!


Getting a hotel close to the start is quite helpful.

Follow their swim sighting directions that they will give you race morning.  They will tell you how to sight if you are an average swimmer and then tell you which side of that to swim if you are better/worse.  Follow it exactly.  I was scared I would overestimate my swim ability so I followed the directions for average even though I'm really good.  And I ended up having to practically coast sideways the last half mile...I could have gone much more "direct" like the pros do.

Climb lots of hills in your training.

Climb lots of stairs in your training.

I was passing people left and right on the sand ladder because I took the stairs to my office on the sixth floor of my building every day for four months before the race.
2010-12-17 12:49 PM
in reply to: #3252551

User image

Champion
8766
5000200010005001001002525
Evergreen, Colorado
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
ironlib - 2010-12-17 12:43 PM I got in as well!! can't wait! bucket list race.  how hard is it to get in by lottery???


First lottery tends to be easier and if you are a girl from a low-population state you are almost guaranteed...
2010-12-17 12:56 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Expert
906
500100100100100
Prattville, AL
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Awesome! Laughing
2010-12-17 12:57 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Expert
906
500100100100100
Prattville, AL
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Awesome! Laughing


2010-12-17 1:33 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Didn't do Escape, but did do the new Tri-California Alcatraz tri in August...pretty much the same course...

--Training stairs is good, but at least train hills.  The run is about 50/50 paved vs. trail (with some deep sand)...very challenging course.  I did do a bit of stair training (along with a lot of hills) and I think it must have helped:  My split for the sand ladder was 21st overall (not just AG, but OA).

--Bike is technical...unusually so for an Olympic distance course in an urban setting.  Not just climbs/descents/turns, but also some very crappy pavement (combined in a couple spots with random sand on the street).

--Definitely pay heed to instructions on swim sighting and course....although I didn't really--took a pretty straight course and did alright.  We had close to ideal conditions, though.  Swim was the easiest part of the day for me, although my individual placement on the run was a lot better.
2010-12-17 2:05 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Expert
989
500100100100100252525
Broomfield, CO
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
What bike should I ride the TT or the Roadie? Since the course is hilly and technical. 
2010-12-17 2:09 PM
in reply to: #3252665

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
bradaskins - 2010-12-17 12:05 PM What bike should I ride the TT or the Roadie? Since the course is hilly and technical. 


I rode my TT bike...but then I always ride my TT bike in tris, no matter how much climbing there is...

There's not a ton of total feet of climbing at Alcatraz, just a lot of steep ups and downs in the beginning/end section of the course.  There's a long flat section along the ocean (where there can be a ton of wind) that rewards a TT setup.
2010-12-17 2:22 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Veteran
287
100100252525
Pueblo, CO
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

I got in too!!!  Guess I'll have to get of my winter maintenace plan a little earlier than initially intended.

I talked to a friend who did this a number of years ago and he provided me with the following information:  Swim is overrated (note he is a college swimmer and swims daily); however it is very cold - full wet suit and insulated cap.  Get heavy duty goggles so waves don't pull the off.  Eat good breakfast and don't bonk.  Prepare for the distances and get in lots of hill work.

Although I live in Colorado, I may have to drive 30 minutes to acutually find a hill - then it will be killer.

Holy cow...never expected to get in but excited that I did.

2010-12-17 2:57 PM
in reply to: #3252304

Member
92
252525
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I just got in as well. I'm so fired up. I live right across the bay about 30 min away so you can all stay at my house. Just kidding about staying at my house. I was just telling someone about this race and the sand ladder. My day just got a whole lot better.


2010-12-17 3:27 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Master
1862
10005001001001002525
San Mateo, CA
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
bradaskins - 2010-12-17 8:41 AM   I got the email confirming my spot for the 2011 ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ TRIATHLON! I can't believe I actually got in via the lottery. 

Has anyone done this before?
Tips?


Congratulations! 

Be on time.  This might seem like a no brainer, but last year a surprising number of people showed up late for the buses that take you from T1 over to where you board the ferry.  If you miss the bus you...uh, don't participate.  Period.  While I was only there as a photographer, I saw a lot of long faces on folks standing on the curb as the last bus drove off into the distance.  Race coordinators were verbally very blunt in dealing with participants, too.  You snooze, you lose.
2010-12-17 3:54 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Expert
1158
10001002525
Ocala, Florida
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Enjoy the experience!  

I took a waterproof camera on the swim and took some neat pics of Alcatraz.   I show those pictures all the time and people can't believe i actually swam across the Bay.

Also, don't do the Alcatraz Tour until AFTER the race!   Had i went out across the Bay on a boat before the race and seen the water that upclose and what it looks like....i would have freaked out waiting to jump off that ferry.   

Lastly, eat at the Stinkin Rose and try their garlic ice cream!
2010-12-17 3:59 PM
in reply to: #3252304

Veteran
173
1002525
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Woohoo...I am in too. I am so excited. It will be a good preview for the swim of 70.3 Poconos in October :-)
2010-12-17 4:26 PM
in reply to: #3252665

Member
22

Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
I know that Macca done it on a road bike with clip on aerobars last year:
http://broadbandsports.com/node/34833


Hope to do this race one day. Good luck!
2010-12-17 7:03 PM
in reply to: #3252806

User image

Champion
5781
5000500100100252525
Northridge, California
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
xmann1102 - 2010-12-17 1:54 PM Also, don't do the Alcatraz Tour until AFTER the race!   Had i went out across the Bay on a boat before the race and seen the water that upclose and what it looks like....i would have freaked out waiting to jump off that ferry.  


Good point...for SF Tri @ Alcatraz in August, everyone was freaked out at check-in the day before the race when the winds were literally blowing vendor booths over and the Bay was a frightening spectacle of whitecaps.

Next morning?  Despite forecasts that indicated there'd be wind, it was as calm as you could hope for.


2010-12-17 7:03 PM
in reply to: #3252810

Extreme Veteran
368
1001001002525
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
<hijack>
So I'm not the only one that things the water gap in october will be friggin freezing, nevermind the wet bike ride afterwards?
</hijack>
2010-12-17 7:40 PM
in reply to: #3252972

Veteran
173
1002525
South Jersey
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Cavemann - 2010-12-17 8:03 PM


So I'm not the only one that things the water gap in october will be friggin freezing, nevermind the wet bike ride afterwards?


Oh...it's TOTALLY going to be friggin freezing...I am hoping to finish without hypothermia or frostbite :-)
2010-12-17 8:01 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Veteran
271
1001002525
St. Paul, MN
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon

I’m in.  On a lark, I put my name in the lottery expecting to not get picked.  Not sure I will want to pay for it now; race fee, plane tickets, bike shipping, hotel, etc.  So if you’re not in now, you can probably have my spot at the next lottery drawing.

2010-12-17 8:12 PM
in reply to: #3252304

User image

Expert
1158
10001002525
Ocala, Florida
Subject: RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon
Also, you guys make sure to go down to Aquatic Park before the race and do a swim.   If nothing else, it'll give you an idea of the water temps that way on race day when you jump from the Ferry it won't be such a shock.    That really helped me out.
New Thread
General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon Rss Feed  
 
 
of 2