Escape from Alcatraz

^WHERE:  San Francisco, CA

Wow, it's a beautiful morning!  At 5:30am in San Francisco it's sunny with no clouds or fog.  We arrived yesterday and helped man the FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) Endurance booth at the expo.  Afterwards I pre-rode ½ the bike course and it was breath-taking!  I forgot that The City has such a natural, peaceful perimeter along the cliffs and ocean with lots of trees and views of the Golden Gate Bridge.  I can't wait until Robin and I can ride this course together some day.

I rode 1/2 the course the day before and got to really enjoy the spectacular views then.  Almost stopping to take in the breathtaking sights of the Golden Gate bridge, the cliffs, and the rolling surf along the beach.

I jump on my bike and ride down to the Marina Green where the transition site is.  I'm doing the bike leg for a relay team of whom I haven't met before this weekend.  I met our runner, Micki Shelp, wife of pro triathlete, John Shelp, just yesterday.

The City is peaceful and I take a moment to pray at the top of the steep hill down to the Bay.  I check my brakes and start the extreme descent.  The streets of San Francisco are crazy steep!  So steep some of the sidewalks are actually stairs.

Arriving at the transition site, all the triathletes are gone.  They're boarding the ferry a mile away to get transported to The Rock (Alcatraz Island).  I guess I won't meet my swimmer until the exchange.

My runner, Micki, and I go to the swim finish.  How cool to see  a "herd" of swimmers way in the distance battling the chop to get to us.  Supposedly they have a 5 mph current pushing them as well.  I leave before they get there to be ready at my bike.  I watch the athletes come running for their bikes.  Linda Gallo is the first woman.  I'm hoping our swimmer, Scott Bechtel, will see my bright yellow FCA jersey and come to me.  I keep a look out for a tall, dark-haired guy.  There he is!  With mutual smiles we meet for the first time and I congratulate him on the swim as I remove his timing chip and put it on my ankle.  "I'm glad you found me, Scott!"  I pat him on the back and take off running with my bike.  I haven't run a step in weeks but I do my best.  I told Micki, our runner, that I'd be back in under an hour so I'm determined to deliver.

There's lots of bicycles.  I'm careful to call out "On your left!" and to keep from crossing the double-yellow.  The first climb is up through The Presidio.  I focus on good climbing form.  There's a teammate in the yellow FCA-E jersey!  It's Kevin.  It's been great to meet so many new teammates this weekend.

There are some fast, quick descents with tight turns at the bottom.  I prepare for each one remembering my notes from yesterday's pre-ride.  Finally, the long descent by the Cliff House along the rolling surf of the ocean.  Very cool.  But the road is coned narrowly and I have to brake to avoid slower riders.  One more climb through the Golden Gate park and then get to head back.  Suddenly I'm tired.  I'm passed by a triathlete for the first time.  I'm feeling wiped out.  I start reciting, "Focus on God, and rhythm".  I smile and ask for strength.  Finally, out of breath, I catch the triathlete and tell him, "You are really strong!  I'm only doing the bike"  He smiled and encouraged me so calmly that it didn't seem like the course was hard for him.  At the 1/2 way turning point it's almost a 1/2 hr.  Somehow I have to keep the pace all the way back.  I focus on God and important things like being friendly and racing like a Christian, not a maniac.

Coming back goes great!  I'm climbing even better.  I hit 44 mph through the tunnel under Hwy 1 and then feel the great tailwind push me along Chrissy Field to the finish! 

I dismount quick and sprint with my bike to our transition site.  It's 52 minutes, I'm early!  Will Micki be ready?  Of course!  She's set and switches the timing chip quickly.  With a smile, she's off!

Another teammate, Sierra Snyder, had finished just before me, but Micki left transition before her.  Then Sierra caught her at a couple miles and the teammates got to exchange encouragement near the G.G. Bridge.  Soon after, though, Sierra, in all her speed, hit a step wrong and was down, sliding across the concrete.  Even with bloodied knees she ran the whole thing and finished great!  Micki was just behind her with a great effort.  Our team is done!

Other teammates:  John Shelp, despite being sick and feeling like "there was nothing there", still was nothing but smiles afterward and already looking forward to 100% racing this summer.  Trippe, the team leader, was a remarkable guy.  He manned the booth after his race even though his insides were all messed up from the race!  Kevin finished well.   Dan Perkins, the "Man", always an honor seeing him.  God bless all of you for all you bring to the sport, and thanks for the opportunity to bike the Alcatraz Triathlon!