There is a saying that goes something like this: “You are only as good as your last race”. But if you dont mind, I would like to forget this one!
There is a lot to be said for taking an off season. It is a way to allow the body and mind to recover from a year’s worth of pounding on the pavement in order to do it all over again. I didn’t stop racing after winning in Kona last year (yes I thought I would throw that in there just in case people want to nit pick at my result in this race). I went on to win Miami 70.3 two weeks later, then I validated my Kona slot in Ironman Arizona where I finished 6th, and finally I made it over to Phuket 70.3 early December, not to start due to illness.
After this long haul of a season, I shut it down and enjoyed some of the other interests I have in life…….most of which involved travel, family, friends, food, and wine (in no specific order). As an experienced “veteran” in the sport (a phrase often used to reference me these days, although I dont think I am that old thank you very much!), I would consider my break much needed. I had planned it for a long time and it was by no means a way to ignore or defer any obligations that came with taking the Kona crown.
Fitness is soon lost on me once I stop training and I had given myself a 5 week block to get back in to some sort of shape for this race. Realistically, that is not enough given the fact that Escape from Alcatraz was a little over 3 months earlier than normal due to the Americas Cup. But there was no way I was going to miss one of my favorite races of the year despite the freezing conditions (and I hope those sailors appreciate our sacrifice!!).
With that said, it didn’t stop some of the best in the world and a full field of age group athletes jumping off the San Francisco Belle in both the men’s and women’s events. It was a tough event for all of us and never can this course be underestimated or considered easy, even on a fine summer’s day.
While this years Escape from Alcatraz left us all shaking in our neoprine booties, the race did not fail to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s greatest triathlons in history. I think we all had a great time being hosted by the wonderful city of San Francisco.
Some come here to win, some come here to conquer, others just come because they won a lottery slot, and the odd few come here to take Monday off work (you know who you are!!). In the end, I ultimately came here just to finish and take home 10th place. This is not a great result, however it is March and my best races are yet to come. Congratulations to the winners, Heather Jackson and Xavier Gomez on their success and to all the finishers who escaped Alcatraz in illegal conditions…….we are all now legendary convicts!!!