ESCAPE FROM THE ROCK Triathlon
Escape From The Rock
Category: Active Life
4 star rating
1.5-mile SW, 2.5-mile RN, 13-mile BK, 10K RN
If you can't get into the #1 Triathlon race in the USA- Escape from Alcatraz- Because you can't hack the course-longer, harder, more brutal (yeah baby); You don't rate it (ie placed in multiple pro/elite events) and I'm not talking Yelp Elite either; Or you're just plain unlucky (most people enter a lottery for a chance to register)- Escape from the Rock is a good consolation alternative. It's not as cool for smack talking among those in the know, coz we know that you wussed out. But for uninformed friends this is smack worthy too.
Awed Friend: "So do you think those inmates escaped?"
ME (Chest puffed out): "Oh Yeah. I've done the Escape (leaving out 'from the Rock') and it wasn't that bad. Plus if you escaped from jail it's not like you want people to know you survived. But I want you to know I'm a masochistic jock."
The swim is relatively short, from a ferry just offshore from Alcatraz Island 1.5 miles into Aquatic Park, where you rip off your wetsuit and stuff on your sneakers. Start running and keep running for 2.5 miles into the Presidio where you will (hopefully) find your $2k bike at the transition area. Don't forget your helmet, think Safety First! Then if that wasn't enough to kill you dead, now you have to ride 13 miles of a (relatively boring) loop course through the Presdio. If you're still feeling good the last 7.5 miles of running out to Baker Beach will have you breathing heavy while you check out the nude sunbathers as you navigate climbing the "Sandladder" back to the top of the cliffs.
Tips:
1) Train for this one. You'll enjoy the race more if you're not puking your guts by the side of the course.
2) Remember to leave the "from the Rock" off when you're smack talking
3) Take a waterproof disposable camera (I have great pics of the GG bridge from the water)
4) Take shots of things during the race. Only the uberjocks are going for time and this course is very photogenic
5) Watch out for great whites and sea lions