Escape from Alcatraz

I didn't Escape from Alcatraz this weekend, but I watched many who braved the cool, undulating San Francisco Bay current at one of the country's most famous triathlon events.

After a 3/4-mile run to the transition area, athletes grabbed their bikes and set out for the Presidio, climbing up toward the Legion of Honor and Presidio Golf course before descending toward the ocean and the Great Highway into Golden Gate Park. I saw the disk wheels and teardrop helmets coming in as age groupers were heading out - there was definitely a strong field racing out there!

I'd like to give a big congrats to my friends and fellow Olympic Club athletes who had a great race at Alcatraz:

M45-49 3rd A.G. DEAN PANZICA 2:30:41
M40-44 10TH A.G. GLENN STEPHENS 2:31:58
M30-34 25TH A.G. MATTHEW HART 2:37:56

M40-44 DIRK GILLIARD 2:45:09
M30-34 ANGUS WILSON 2:45:47

F35-39 2ndA.G. JORDAN CANTWELL 2:47:21
M60-64 5thAG VITO BIALLA 2:50:51
F45-49 1stAG PEGGY LAVELLE 2:55:09

M45-49 ANDY SCHILLING 2:56:52
M40-44 MARTY LOBDELL 2:57:08
M45-45 STEVEN FOLAND 3:06:41

M45-49 PETE RYAN 3:09:41
F30-34 SIMONE SEELEY 3:10:46
M50-54 MARK ROSEN 3:13:05

M55-59 8thAG BRETT EVART 3:13:24
M60-64 9thAG TOM MCCARTY 3:15:07

M45-49 JOSEPH BERTAIN 3:28:17
M40-44 ROBERT GIGLIO 30:46

If you want to add the 'triathlete' notch to your belt, but also want to keep your day job (and 'civilian' life while training for it), make sure you're in the loop for next year's Escape from Alcatraz registration. Entries are chosen by random drawing - one drawing pulls half of the entries for 1st-timers, the other drawing pulls from veteran escapees. [More Info]

It was nice being a spectator again at a triathlon; I realized then how many months (and races) went by where I was a participant, not a spectator. I remembered how inspiring it was to watch the pros and 'joes' alike pass by during each leg of the race, both with equal levels of determination.

I can't quite remember when or why I thought it'd be a good idea for me to do a triathlon; but having the vivid knowledge of the rush and emotion you get from running the last 100 meters through cheering crowds, a rainbow of country flags and the timing mat at the finish is all I really need to hang onto anyway...