Escape - mike p

[MikePritch]

here's my report from today's race...

Swim: whoops. Today’s current was weird. At one point I questioned if I was making any forward progress. I started to wonder if anyone would finish the swim, but seems it was just me. Apparently the currents can vary out there. Clearly I did not find the speed slot. Still this swim blows me away, no matter the time, it’s just awesome. I love it. Swim time 47:46, rank 844.

Bike: This went well. I’ve done the race 5 times now and really have a good feel for the terrain. There’s one particular section that seems to suit me well; it’s a slight incline through Golden Gate Park. I ride it in the big ring and high cadence. It’s probably only a 2 mile stretch but passed a lot of bikes here. Bike time 53:39, rank 28.

Run: I came in most worried about the run. Didn’t quite nail it but was happy to feel strong the entire run. Run time: 54:22, rank 40.

Other highlights: SF with Mary. Coffee at the Grove with everyone. Racing with Andrew, Bryan, Jeff, and Ryan.

[benbiggles]

Awesome Mike, another great escape for you. Yeah those currents can jump out and grab you sometimes eh!

This race is now on my 'most wanted' list for 2010, you make it sound very exciting. So more road bikes than tri bikes then??

Congrats.

[Lee]

Nice job Mike!!

[Cindybigglestone]

It would be great to make this a team event for next year! Mike good work getting through that swim, then being able to push the bike and run!! I'd still be out there :D

[max]

Well done team Alcatraz! Sounds like a tough swim with the currents being so different from last year. Storming bike by the way Mike, I know exactly where you mean in the park and I didn't really think of this as an incline, just thought I was tired :)

We should do this race as a team next year but the challenge is getting in as they normally have 2-3x the number of entrants compared to slots available.

[lakerfan]

Dude, your bike and run splits were freakin' solid!! Very impressive!! If you didn't have that issue on the swim you would have been way up there in the OA standings. Nice job!!

[BryanU]

Mike, generally, when people post a race report of such length, they preface it with "This report is really long.". It was too long for me to read in one sitting and I fell asleep half way through - not because it wasn't interesting, just too long for me to read at once - next time give proper warning.

(Maybe I fell asleep because my freakin' flight was 2.5 hours late to "depart" - a.k.a. board - and then, after an hour on the plane at the gate "checking out a dent on the outside", they let us go so I got home near midnight. I'm a little upset about United messing up my perfect weekend.)

[MikePritch]

Bryan, you could stay awake if you had less drama on the weekend. next time fly into Oakland. can't wait to read your stories.

here's footage from the swim exit. Mary stopped about the time Potts went by...
YouTube - VholdR Video 64

and Andrew, picking up the pieces.
YouTube - VholdR Video 68