Escape from Alcatraz was no disappointment this year, despite not taking the win for a 3rd time. I was very happy with 2nd.
The weekend prior I raced in the Rev 3 Triathlon (half ironman distance) in Connecticut. That was a bit of a disaster, as I trained pretty much through it. I ended up in 7th place. It was one very toughest races I have done, over a super hilly bike and run course, and as I found out, not the sort of race you dont want to do on tired legs.
The week between races, I did very little training in the hope to freshen up for Alcatraz. On race day, I felt pretty good, but I felt very nervous as I didnt know for sure if I would be able pull off a great race. Once the gun went off, I felt fast in the freezing water. We were told the swim would be fast due to the currents. It didnt turn out that way. In fact it took forever and eventually I came out just behind Becky Lavelle. The long run to transition hurt as I didnt put shoes on, and here Becky had the edge, as she not only put shoes on, she also took off her wetsuit.
I spent the first 8miles of the bike course chasing down Becky. Just as I caught her, I was suprised to be passed by Mary-Beth Ellis. I knew I had to try to hang with her on the bike to win the race, but I just didnt have it in my legs. I would say here I was paying the price for racing the weekend before. In the end, Mary-Beth came into transition with a one minute lead.
The run course is a little longer than a standard Olympic Distance triathlon, so I thought I could possibly bring her back on the run. I felt really strong and was gaining time on Mary-Beth until I hit the sand ladder. The years prior, I had managed to run up most, if not the whole way. This year, my legs were burning and I had to walk it. That was it. The race was decided. I gave as much chase I as could, but generally the rule of the race is the first to the top of the sand ladder takes the win. Mary-Beth had a great race, I came in 2nd, and Becky Lavelle rounded the podium with a strong finish in 3rd. FIY: First time in my K-Swiss race flats with no socks, and no blisters! Thank you to all of my fantastic sponsors for your continued support - K-Swiss, Accelerade, Endurox R4, Pinarello, Blue Seventy, Tri Sports, Reynolds Wheels, Computrainer, Katalyst and Giro.