Escape from Alcatraz Race Report
Escape from Alcatraz is one of the most challenging Triathlon of its kind. 1.5 Mile Swim from Alcatraz Island in the icy cold San Francisco Bay said to have sharks. 18 mile bike in hilly San Francisco then a bone crushing 8 mile hilly run.
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| Credit: Photos by David Paul Morris / Special to The Chronicle |
I am very grateful to have been apart of this unique and challenging race. Special thanks to my friend and Coach/Mentor Wes Hobson who has won this race a few times. He is great athlete, coach and good friend -- his voice was in my head the entire time I was racing.
The race began on a boat just off of the shore of Alcatraz Island. One minute we were taking a relaxing boat ride to the start point, and the next there were 1,600 athletes being herded into 55-degree water. This time I made sure I had my goggles on (unlike my last race in the Hudson, when I swam a mile without goggles -- not fun). The water temperature was the least of the challenges I was met with during the swim. The current was against us, pushing in a diagonal direction. We were being pushed off the race course at all times, but that wasn't the worst part. The chop/ waves in the water were so rough that I felt like I was in a boxing ring with the welterweight champion fighter hitting me with right hand jabs every time I picked my head up out of the water. I was telling myself how much I love this. I really was enjoying myself, even when the fog rolled in and we couldn't see anything but the boats in the distance, guiding the swimmers.
While swimming, I knew there were Great White sharks in the water. I must have been punch drunk when I thought I saw a shark take out another swimmer, but it was just a wave. I finished the swim telling myself how much I loved it. I did get a little sick while swimming in San Fran Bay, though -- I guess I’m used to swimming in the Hudson. One day, I will one day swim the Thames River in the London Triathlon.
Out of the water and next was the .5-mile barefoot run to our the bikes. It was hard to get my running legs, but by the last quarter mile I was feeling okay. Quickly got my bike and was feeling good as I headed out onto the 18-mile hilly bike path. I mounted my road bike and got into a steady pace of about 24+ mph for the first two miles until we got to the first hill, which just went straight up. My speed went from 24 mph to 10 mph in a matter of seconds. That is to be expected so no worries. But what goes up must come down going down at 40-50 mph with dangerous hairpin turns. I was holding onto my brakes for dear life, every once in awhile witnessing an unfortunate athlete crash, tending to his/her wounds and a damaged bike.
I enjoyed going up the hill -- that’s when I passed a lot of my competitors. But on the way down, who I couldn't pass most certainly passed me. During the last part of the bike leg, I got to see part of the 8-mile run course and watch the Pros race It was a sight to behold. The speed and efficiency that they moved at was amazing to watch. They suffered and were in pain too but they did had such composure and control making every movement count. They seemed to race with calmness and laser focus.
Soon it was time to run, leaving the hills that felt like mountains behind. We were on flat land again. The transition from bike to run was near, eventually we racked our bike and quickly slipped into racing flats. Then ran onto the hilly, sandy, dirt and some paved 8 mile run course. Two miles into the run thoughts of despair began, the pain was deep and I just looking for the finish. I felt I was running on fumes with nothing in the tank.
"When you think you’re done you’re only 40% into what your body is capable of doing and that’s just the limits that we put on ourselves. - David Goggin"
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| One step at a
time, Scott Schumaker makes the climb ©2001 Daphne Hougard |
There was a pebble in my shoe, digging into the ball of my foot and it didn't matter. I could have stopped to take the pebble out but one second extra on this race course was one second too long, but I just had to dig deep and finish.
The thoughts of finishing and the words of positive words and encouragement from people in my life started to replayed in my head closer to the end of race. If nothing else, this pushed me to the finish. When I couldn't find positive words within myself, I found positive words from others.
Much like the bike the ending section was flat this meant we were running towards the finish line. That pebble was still bothering me I wanted it out. But I wanted to finish more, the finish line was near you can tell by the huge crowds of spectators. Their cheers got louder as we got closer to the finish. Running into the finish shoot and crossing line made me happy the suffer was over then feeling completing the race knocks you over. Then the sadness comes that the race is over spiritual and emotionally you want to do it again. Mentally I started process my time and think about what I could differently. It made me think about qualifying again, I had to wait 2 or 3 years to be eligible again, no matter I would wait.
I loved every stroke, every pedal and every step, when all is said and done. Without good people in my life, I never would’ve finished this race: the most challenging Triathlon.
Thank you to my friends for supporting me, I know that what I do is a purely selfish pursuit and it has put stresses on relationships. I have lost friends, but I’ve also gained new friends and grown closer to old ones.
Thanks again to Wes Hobson who willingly gives me his time and encouragement. I hope to pay you back with good race results.
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| Wes Hobson out
of the saddle ©2001 Daphne Hougard |
Wes Hobson has competed in over 220 triathlons, from sprint- to Ironman-distance. He garnered 35 first places, 60 top-three finishes and 96 top-five finishes during his 12-year professional career that also included being selected "Triathlete of the Year" by the USOC. Wes co-authored Swim, Bike, Run, and created three triathlon and cycling related films.