How I Escaped from Alcatraz
Ed Bagley 

‘If you’re going to do one race next year, make it Escape From Alcatraz.’
Ed Bagley, This Race Report, June 2005

‘ Even after all the hype, this race was even better then I expected. This was by far the coolest race I have ever done.’
Ed Bagley, This Race Report, June 2005

‘ Hillary Biscay has a real potty mouth.’
Ed Bagley, This Race Report, June 2005

This was supposed to be a building year for me. My goal after IMAZ was to never feel that shitty at a race again. I hired a new coach and focused on two races; Racine and IMMoo. Everything else would be for fun. By fun I meant I would do other races as speed workouts. Until Alcatraz I had no I idea how much fun a race could be. I didn’t race with a watch or HRM. I had no idea what my splits were. I do know that I had my best race ever. That’s because I had never finished one so happy. There was so much to take I can only recall parts here.

I left after work on Friday and landed in San Francisco around midnight. My bike wasn’t so lucky and didn’t make the flight.

I was up early on Saturday trying to track down my bike. Instead on testing out the Bay, previewing the course, checking out the city, I was waiting by the phone. Finally at 3pm by bike arrived and it was damaged. The derailleur hanger was bent. I took it to a cool bike shop between where I was staying and packet pick up, got things straightened out and was on my way. At packet pick up I ran into John Simpson and we went for a quick ride over the Bridge. The scenery was almost as unbelievable as the fact that we would be racing past these same awesome views the next day. Great Riding. After a nice Italian dinner with Courtney (my superb hostess) it was time to call it a night.

Race morning started early when Andy (a friend through Courtney) picked me up at 5 am. He was a Race Director and thanks to him we were able to park just yards from Transition. I set up my stuff, met up with John and his friend Caleb and headed for the bus. A quick ride through downtown and we were at the ferry landing. Got body marked and loaded onto the boat. I didn’t know what to expect. I was warned to be weary of the floor as people pee on the boat, but the ferry was actually really nice. We had an hour before race start, but time passed quickly talking with John, Caleb and others from Chicago.

Then as 8 approached I headed for the doors. I was in wave 1 which left 30 seconds behind the Pros and Challenged Athletes. As we waited TV helicopters and zodiacs circled the Ferry. There was an energy unlike any I have ever felt before. Pros hanging off the boat, AGers pacing around. The city seemed so far away. Then the horned sounded and the Pros were off.
As I moved towards the door I saw the Bay didn’t look uninviting. The water was calm, but those in front of me still hesitated jumping in. Not deterred I took the leap. The water was cold, but I had been in worse. Starting to swim was not a problem and after a few hundred yards I adjusted to the temp. Being so close to the Pros I had the lead boat to follow for a while, then as they gained ground I started drifting farther and farther towards the Bridge.
I had read numerous times before the race to swim left (away from the exit) and after about half way start to let the current take to you to the beach. Ideally your swim path should look crescent shaped. After the race I learned they had let my wave off far to the right. This is OK for those strong enough the not notice the current. But for me this explains why the kayakers were herding me to the left. But while this may have effected my time, it didn’t bother me. I had a great swim. I felt relaxed and comfortable.

Coming out of the water there is s 1⁄2 mile run along the sidewalk. I had mistakenly decided not to wear shoes for this and my feet are still sore. (My one tip for anyone doing this- drop off shoes for the swim exit) Got to my bike and I was off.

There is no easy way to describe this bike course. You head towards the Golden Gate Bridge, through the Presidio and climb to the Legion of Honor. Then through a neighbor hood to a descent along the coast followed by a flat section on The Great Highway along the beach. This is followed by a turn into Golden Gate Park. Then you get to double back and try in from the other direction. It’s more then hilly. The climb along the coast highway is unbelievable. There are descents that (at least I) had to lock the breaks for. The only disappointing section of the bike was actually that along the beach. It was nice, but it was flat.

Getting off the bike I felt pretty good. My calves were a little soar, but this was to be expected after the climbing. As I took off trough Crissy Field I saw the Hunter Kemper leading in the Pros. Yeah, I was just starting the run as the winners were coming in. At the time this didn’t bother me, probably because I had no idea what lay in front of me.

From Crissy Field you head to Fort Point and then up the headlands and under the Golden Gate Bridge. Somewhere near here I saw John Simpson coming at me. He was cruising and looked like he was having a great race (and he did by my standards). Back down you head through a tunnel that wasn’t made to be run through. The guy in front of me who nailed his head nicely upon exiting can attest this to. After this you take a staircase up to more trails. Then more stairs and more trails until you get to Baker Beach where the runs goes a few hundred yards along the surf until you turn around for a few hundred more yards along the water. This is then followed by the dreaded sand ladder that is as bad as everyone says. At the top you double back on the trails, stairs and tunnel. All of which are occupied by racers headed out at you. Back at sea level in Crissy Field with 2 miles to go my legs decided they wanted to really run and I finally started picking up the pace and passing people.

The last mile was lined with people and it is always nice to hear ‘go Chicago’. As I made it up that last straight away I got a little teary eyed. It wasn’t so much form the pain in my legs, well part of it was- damn hills. But it was mostly because the race was over before I wanted it to end. I wanted someone to foil my escape and make me start all over again. I will be back to get out again though. They can’t keep me locked up forever.

After the race I went to a party with the Golden Gate Tri Club at a local bar. This was a lot of fun aside from a couple too many beers and an inexcusable attempt at dancing on my part. Heather Biscay (Pro Triathlete, 7th at IMAZ) was there and when we starting talking to her it turned out she and Andy had a few mutual friends. It was also her birthday, which of course meant shots. Get a Pro liquored up and they start to gossip, and swear. Too bad I can’t add pictures here.

As always, thanks for reading. See me finish in 3:05:55 at: http://triathlons.accenture.com/SanFrancisco/tracking/Video.aspx?bib=170