Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: fullironmike on 2011-10-11 6:10 PM

I'm in!  First Alcatraz for me.  Was just up in San Francisco over the weekend and scouted out the area a bit.  Didn't see the sand steps tho.  Heard lots of good things about this event.  Looking forward to it!

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: JamieS on 2011-10-11 8:47 PM

I did it in 2010 and it was great!  I was totally unprepared for the hills on the bike though.  I'm hoping to get in on the second lottery draw for this one. 

I didn't think the sand ladder was a tough as it is talked up to be.  (however i didn't run up it, i just took it easy following my race plan)

Pay attention to all the information on the swim sightings and it will really benefit your swim. 

Have a blast!

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: tophermcdougall on 2011-10-12 10:31 AM

I'm in. Gonna get back in the bike saddle in preparation for the 2012 season since all my races are known to be hilly (70.3 Oceanside, Wildflower, Alcatraz). 
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Blogging about God and triathlon:
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RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: fullironmike on 2011-10-12 9:03 PM

I'm in for Oceanside, too.  And St. George is rumored to be a bit hilly as well.  Will have to fit in riding some hills along with marathon training this winter.

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: justtrichris on 2011-10-19 7:35 PM

I'm also in for the Escape!  I live in SF, and have run (walked actually) the Sand Ladder many times.  It's definitely a beast, but definitely doable.  

Looking forward to June 10th!

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Training for Health & Happiness

http://teachertriathlete.blogspot.com/

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: smack on 2011-10-21 9:34 PM

I am in too.  A little worried about the swim.  Does anyone know if the swim is well supported?

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: justtrichris on 2011-10-24 10:25 PM

Yes.  Very well supported.  We'll practically be lined on either side with kayaks.  Be sure to go to a pre race meeting.  Sighting on certain landmarks will be clearly explained.  

I swam Alcatraz for the first time this past August on a very choppy day with wakes from big ships off in the distance, and I did just fine (Compared to other triathletes, I am not a strong swimmer at all!).  It was actually easy to sight on the landmarks.  They're huge.

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Training for Health & Happiness

http://teachertriathlete.blogspot.com/

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: MJacaruso on 2011-11-02 10:42 AM

I'm In! This will be my first Alcatraz, and I'm super psyched. I teach a spin class, and plan to have my participants climbing lots of hills this winter and spring! 

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: Bruin84 on 2011-11-15 6:23 PM

I keep hearing that the swim is really hard? I looked at swim times from last year and the times look not so bad. Is the current at the swimmers backs at any point?

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: tophermcdougall on 2011-11-16 11:18 AM

The reason why the swim is difficult is that it varies wildly on the current and weather conditions. I know a guy who did the race two years in a row. One year the conditions were great and he had no trouble. Another year it was really foggy and so hard to sight that he ended up off course since the current is strong. There are boats that pick you up if you go too far off course.
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Blogging about God and triathlon:
http://triathlon.oksoda.com

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: kr140.6 on 2011-12-01 5:49 PM

Ok I am so flippin excited.... haven't even gotten in BUT I decided today I sooo want to do this race I am calling the charities tomorrow for a charity slot, fingers crossed I get one .

I have only been swimming a few years but, much to my surprise,  in my triathlon this season it seemed my swim was my strongest of the three, who knew ?!

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: enginerd on 2011-12-10 5:50 PM

If you don't get into EFA, there are at least 2 other triathlons that are very similar that include an Alcatraz crossing - Tri California's Triathlon at Alcatraz and Envirosport's Escape from the Rock.

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10x 140.6, 1x Ultraman, 21x ultramarathon

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: kr140.6 on 2011-12-13 2:28 PM

 

Hey Enginerd thanks for info! I did get a charity slot with Children of Peru team and am super excited! 

San Fran is amazing.

Edited by kr140.6 2011-12-13 2:30 PM

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: cjkelly0729 on 2012-01-09 12:40 PM

Just got selected via the Second Lottery over the weekend.  Beyond Stoked about this.  Will be coming into the race from Kansas City.  I spent part of Law School in the Bay Area and I loved it when I lived out there.  Look forward to getting tips and advice from you previous Escapees over the coming months.  Healthy Training everybody. 

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: Anditrigirl on 2012-01-13 6:55 AM

I got in on the first lottery.  Did it in '08 - favorite race I've ever done.  Worth the price of admission.

The swim is well supported.  If you get off course they'll put you back on course.  You have 1 hour to complete the swim.  At 1 hour, they round everybody up who's still in the water, drop them off at the end of the swim, and let everyone continue on with the course. (At least that's what they've done in previous years.)

The swim is the easiest part of the race.  If you listen for the sighting & other instructions at the pre-race meeting and follow those instructions the current will do most of the work for you!  Depending on conditions, the cold and chop, and the fear of what's below (if it's your first time) are the biggest challenges.

Very excited!

Andi

 

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: RightToPlayUSA on 2012-01-19 11:39 AM

Are you interested in running the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon 2012? Right to Play is sponsoring five athletes! To sign up, click here!

Right to Play is the leading international humanitarian and development organization using the transformative power of sport and play to build essential skills in children and thereby drive social change in communities affected by war, poverty and disease. Right to Play creates a safe place for children to learn and fosters the hope that is essential for children to envision and realize a better future. For more information, visit www.righttoplayusa.org.

 We ask that all participants meet a fundraising minimum of $3,000. It costs just $50 to provide sport and play programs for an entire year, so entrants support 60 children by meeting this goal. Participants will be set up with an individual fundraising page and personal assistance to help them in meeting their goals. Fundraising ideas may include an online giving campaign, use of social media outlets, gatherings where you feature Right To Play, etc. Our goal from participating in the Escape from Alcatraz is to raise enough funds to support 300 children.

 If you have any questions, please contact info@righttoplayusa.com.

 

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: Climbinggonzo on 2012-01-27 1:39 PM

Any locals have accommodations suggestions?  Looking forward to it, this will be my first time doing the Escape.  Thanks!

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: eazyc10 on 2012-01-27 1:41 PM

Got in during the first round of the lottery selection.  With less than 6 months to go, I'm definitely getting excited for the race.  In reviewing the elevation profile, I'm seeing that all of my routes in my area that I've done of similar distances are half of the elevation gain than EFA.  I'm less worried about the swim and more worried about the hills.  Anyone that's done the race have any comments on the course profile?

RE: Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon : Official Thread
BY: pbooth2912 on 2012-01-31 4:13 PM

I've got a place and really excited, even though a bit nervous. I am travelling from the UK for the event, I've never been to San Fran, not seen the course. Any tips very welcome. Any tips on accommodation also welcome. See everyone on the 10th.