This year’s goal
I’ve already committed to myself to get myself ready for the 2005 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, and started training for that, but one thing stands out as problematic: I don’t know if I’ll be able to get in to the 2005 Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon. I was not selected in the 2004 lottery, and apparently about 3000 people are turned away every year. hammerhead got lucky this year and was selected in the lottery, but I was not and there’s no guarantee that I can get in to next year’s event.
Other than the lottery, there’s another way to get in to Escape from Alcatraz: a series of qualifying events called “Escape To Alcatraz.” There’s a triathlon in San Luis Obispo October 2nd that appears to be a little easier than Escape from Alcatraz: 1 mile swim in Lopez Lake, 25 miles of cycling, and a 6 mile run. The water in the lake is reportedly 65 – 68 degrees, significantly warmer than the San Francisco Bay, and less choppy, and in general the tri relies more heavily on cycling than either of the other events.
Of course, only the top 50 finishers at Tinley’s get a race entry at Escape from Alcatraz, but it’s worth a shot and late enough in the year that I have time to get in adequate shape.
If I thought I were up for it now, I’d sign up for the Florida Great Escape Triathlon at Lake Louisa State Park, Clermont, FL, but that’s coming up in a little over a month so there’s just no way. But maybe 2005 if I don’t get into Escape From Alcatraz some other way. I think each of these events issues two spots in Escape from Alcatraz for my age group, so I’d have to do really well to get in. I don’t even know where Clermont is, but I fantasize about people in flatter states getting totally dropped on hills that I don’t even notice. Yeah, I know that’s a fantasy, but damn. Riding events in flat states has got to be a competitive advantage, right?
