every once a year around 2000 athletes from around the globe attempt the impossible; Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. A very unique, one of a kind, and a bucket list race for every triathlete. this year the race was held on June 9th 2019 in Marina Green, San Francisco.
the distance was quite odd, 2400 meters swim, 30K bike, and 12Km run. i think you have to excel in swimming and a strong runner, because it's hard to gain advantage in cycling here as it was so hilly and technical
getting the slot
i got the slot from winning Beijing International Triathlon age group division last year. but there are several other qualifying race to get this escape alcatraz tri slot, or you can take random drawing registration. once you got accepted, the race is quite pricey thou. it was USD 805, including registration fee and one day USAT membership.
SWIM
as we board the San Francisco Belle early in the morning, at 06.30 am it set sail to Alcatraz Island where we would be jumped off the boat. it happened so fast, and was so heart pounding. we lined up, then all of a sudden i was on the edge of the ferry ready to jump. Dayumm the water was COLD! Try not to panic, i swim my heart out.
although it was summer already, the air temperature was quite okay averaging 15C to 20C, but the water remained cold all year round. swimming at the 12C was the coldest water i ever swim in. it felt like i swim in a ice bath, i couldn't feel my face, my palms, and my toes sometimes started to cramp if i stopped kicking. Using wet suit was very helpful, my body was quite warm in it. i didnt need the neoprene cap, as i usually use double cap for swimming, but i think using a neoprene socks is a must in this cold water.
TRANSITION 1 RUN
I usually became the first female came out of the water, but this time wasnt. it was already many swimmers rushing out of the cold water, going to the mini transition to take our shoes for the 1/2 mile warm up run before bike leg.
BIKE
the bike course was super hilly as the city famous for. very technical downhill, steep climb from the very beginning. using road bike with the best climbing setup probably was the best decision for this place.
gotta be careful, as we approaching sharp turn downhill, some of the road surface wasnt so smooth thou, but the view was breathtaking. i ditched all my gadget, as i wanted to enjoy the race, and it was obviously hard to pace myself when the course was hilly, all i did was keep effort around 80%.
RUN
most of the run surface was dirt. we started from the sea level base up to climb the golden gate bridge, then going down again to the finish line. the trail was quite narrow, then running on the beach, and of course, stairs. In beijing tri, all of the hundred stair was a solid concrete, it was painless to go through. but this time, the hardest part was the SAND LADDER! and hundreds of them, the steps were uneven, very hard to climb. I have to grab the cable to help me walk up the stairs. after reaching the top of sand ladder, every thing was fast down hill to finish line.
approaching finish line, i could hear people cheering up, then mba ririn from KJRI San Francisco shouted my name, handed me the bendera merah putih for me to fly it up to the finish line. it was the proudest moment i've ever experience.
sometimes you win, sometimes you learn, and sometimes you just have to appreciate the beautiful scenery that the race has to offer. it was extremely heart pounding day at the office (hard to believe that I've done it). it's about nine months that I've prepared for this race (mentally, physically, and also financially), as this was also my first time going the US. but in the end it's worth every sweat and penny that we've spent.
