This past week I was in Boston on a business trip, which provided me with the opportunity to visit with one of my closest friends, Michael Collins. Over a few beers, we reminisced about a race we participated in 10 years ago this year. Escape from Alcatraz!
I had always found endurance multi-sports interesting but never proactively chose to participate until Michael suggested it. He was a key advocate in getting me engaged in triathlons as well as major motivator to improve and stretch myself with longer distances.
In early 2006 I had the first of two elbow surgeries to repair lingering damage from playing tennis. In short, there is no easy way to rehabilitate an elbow and Mike suggested swimming. I swam as lifeguard during the summers of high school and college so it wasn't too hard to get into a routine. Later, he suggested a sprint triathlon and needless to say I was hooked. My appetite for it was insatiable! The sprint distance felt like a teaser and I wanted more. This is where the saying, "Be careful for what you wish for" definitely came true. I should preface this by saying Mike is one of those exceptional and gifted athletes that has "it". That high-octane and uncanny ability to exceed his physical and mental limits with ease. Knowing my desire to try a more difficult triathlon, he passively suggest that we compete in the 2007 "Escape from Alcatraz" Triathlon.
So it begins! I immediately said YES without thinking it through completely. Once I came to my senses, I was like "Wait! What? Didn't prisoners die trying to swim from Alcatraz island?" They have a triathlon race there? Fortunately for me, I was living in Texas at the time and the distance of San Francisco kept the realization of the difficulty of the race at bay. Mike suggested we leverage "Be Iron Fit" by Don Fink, which I've referenced in a previous blog. It was an approach that set in motion the plan I leverage to this day.
As I look back now, I remember fondly how frightened I was as we prepared to load onto the boat for Alcatraz. The race consisted of a 1.5 mile swim, a 5k run to your bike (aka warm-up run), 18 mile bike through the hills, and then finish with a 10K run that takes you through Baker Beach, the infamous sand stairs to the Golden Gate Bridge. There were ~1000 people in the race and I remember my heart pounding like a phone book in a washing machine as we jumped into the water.
First reaction...HOLY S!@# its cold! Once the wetsuit warmth took over it was time to race. The horn sounded and we were off. The tide was tough along with the salty waves seeping in on every breath.. I was so heads down that I missed the breaker to the Aquatic Center and had to swim an extra 10 minutes into the tide to exit. At this point I was totally miserable but pushed on. The warm-up run was exactly that...a chance to break the hypothermia. Once I hit the bike I was feeling good again and then quickly realized that San Francisco is massively more hilly than Houston. The good news is that what goes up must come down so while everyone was slow going up the hills we were flying down the them. I started feeling excitement as I hit the second run portion. It was a course that took you up a hill and down the sand stairs onto Baker Beach. I shockingly learned that clothing was optional for a few of the fans who were cheering on the racers. Again, head down push forward. The sand stairs were easy going down but back up was a different story. It's literally 400 steps of Hell. However, at the top you feel the surge of energy again as you start the downhill run to the base of the Golden Gate Bridge. Once you touch the base and turnaround the finish is just a short mile or so away. I felt so much energy and happiness as I crossed the finish line. I had officially "Escaped from Alcatraz!"
The best part was seeing my good buddy Michael standing there cheering me on. My first thought was "why is he was wearing a towel?". Unbeknownst to me, he had a wicked crash on the bike and tore his leg all up. What's even more amazing is that he still finished in the top 20. He was in third place until the wreck and still managed a stellar finish. As I said before, he has the ability to exceed physical and mental barriers.
As much as I enjoyed the race, I enjoyed the camaraderie with Mike even more. We had a blast from start to finish. As I look back 10 years later, I realize that his friendship is the true medal here. He introduced me to a sport that I truly enjoy. I am most thankful for our friendship and look forward to many more years to come.
So 10 years after the Great Escape...I say thank you Mike!