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Alcatraz questions
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iank
Jun 1, 12 8:38
Post #26 of 40
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Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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Everybody (including the emails from the race itself) seems to mention trails and narrow portions of the run and getting "stuck." Would I be any better off running in a trail flat, like my Montrail Rogue Racers so I can go around people if needed onto a worse line? I've run plenty on the road with them and it's not a problem, and they aren't too much heavier than my road flats.
My Introspective Self Deprecation
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The Guy Who Makes Me Not Suck
HomerJSimpson
Jun 1, 12 9:13
Post #27 of 40
(765 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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Exactly, the run course gets pretty tied up quick even at the front of the pack, especially on the dirt trails and the beach sections. I was sorry I didn't put more into the bike last year since I wound up having to run at a fairly easy pace most of the run, although it gave me plenty of time to enjoy the views on the course which are second to none. FWIW I finished in the top 10% last year.
trimick
Jun 1, 12 9:28
Post #28 of 40
(760 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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3Aims wrote:
During the swim have you ever seen any large marine life in your 3 years?
I used to swim at Aquatic Park almost everyday and I have never seen any marine life in any of my swims in the bay and that includes the race.
johnh
Jun 1, 12 13:30
Post #29 of 40
(724 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [loomster]
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I have done the race several times and here are some hard earned tips:
Take shuttle
there are bathrooms at the pier, so no problem there
****be as fast off the boat as possible, even if you sneak into a group going off sooner. If you are one of the last off you will find the transition areas jammed, no matter how fast you swim. Same for bike - grinding up those steep hills in a crowd is not fun. Same for run; much of if is 1 runner wide and it is nearly impossible to pass.
clear goggles
1 neopryne cap is plenty. there is so much excitement going off the boat that you won't feel a thing.
first T1 is a mess. Tie a colored bandana to your bag to spot it
wear shoes on mini run - it is 1/2 mile
don't expect to set any PR on the bike. Twisty and hilly and very crowded at start.
The 1st and last parts of the run are flat. Go out fast if you can because you may have to walk or jog the parts where the course narrows - giving you time to take a breath.
when you hit the beach run thru sand to the turn around, but then hug shore where sand is firm and cross beach at an angle to foot of stairs
go to stair ladder before race and run up it at your expected race pace. the steps are irregular and if you have a plan on how to run them you will be faster. They actually break out the time & place for this portion so it is like a race within the race. Work hard here!! you have a bit of a climb after you get off the stairs but then it goes single file and down towards the Bridge, so plenty of time time get your HR down before last push.
Hope this helps! Swimming across the Bay is a blast!
3Aims
Jun 1, 12 14:00
Post #30 of 40
(709 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [johnh]
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johnh wrote:
even if you sneak into a group going off sooner.
Do people do this? I don't even know how the waves are organized yet. The timing mat is on the boat rail?
johnh
Jun 1, 12 14:10
Post #31 of 40
(706 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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they take the rails down along part of the boat and the mat is at the edge. The deck gets so crowded that many waves get mingled together. Just do yourself a favor and get out there as fast as you can. Having 1600 people to pass when the course is tight is hard work!
Lou3000
Jun 1, 12 18:32
Post #32 of 40
(671 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [loomster]
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Any Slowtwitchers want to meet for an early morning swim at the Aquatic Park (I think that was recommended as a good OWS location), prior to the race, maybe Friday?
Nothing structured, just a chance to get a feel for the water. May do it anyway, but I'd rather not go alone in an area I'm not familiar with.
mstange22
Jun 1, 12 18:52
Post #33 of 40
(662 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [Lou3000]
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I'd really like to get in a swim, but I won't be driving up from Santa Cruz until Saturday morning. I'm hoping my hotel will let me check in early so I can secure my bike before roaming around the area. I'm sure there will be a lot of people swimming in the park as the weekend approaches - you won't be alone!
blasky
Jun 2, 12 20:45
Post #34 of 40
(600 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [mstange22]
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Anyone driving up from Los Angeles for the race? I will be in SF for work, and was hoping to maybe have my bike take a car ride rather than having to pack and plane it.... if anyone is interested in some gas money, PM or me.
Blasky
blasky@yahoo.com
bhobbs
Jun 7, 12 12:57
Post #35 of 40
(477 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [blasky]
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Are strong winds a factor on the bike? Trying to decide between front wheels.
Also, would you wear an aero helmet on a road bike? Seems sort of pointless...
frrtlek
Jun 7, 12 13:29
Post #36 of 40
(456 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [johnh]
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This can't be overstated. Last year, I was in the middle of the main deck when the horn went off, which meant I was really far away from either door and one of the last ones off the boat. I was blocked for the majority of the bike course, downhills were just a total no-go and passing on the uphills was tough with the amount of weaving going on.
There were indeed choke points on the run, near the stairs and some of the single-track trails. My rule of thumb for the run would be to push the pace whenever you have the space to do so, as you will recover during the bottlenecking.
johnh wrote:
they take the rails down along part of the boat and the mat is at the edge. The deck gets so crowded that many waves get mingled together. Just do yourself a favor and get out there as fast as you can. Having 1600 people to pass when the course is tight is hard work!
albertboyce
Jun 7, 12 13:29
Post #37 of 40
(455 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [bhobbs]
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strong winds won't be a factor....
aero helmet can help you stay warm if it's a cold morning, or if you are prone to getting cold from cold swim...
albert
http://www.coffeesofhawaii.com
20% coffee discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST11".
20% recurring delivery discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST1010"
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albertboyce
Jun 7, 12 13:31
Post #38 of 40
(454 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [trimick]
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no
http://www.coffeesofhawaii.com
20% coffee discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST11".
20% recurring delivery discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST1010"
join our "Coffees of Hawaii" page on Facebook for the latest coffee news
albertboyce
Jun 7, 12 13:33
Post #39 of 40
(445 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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yes, timing mats are at the ferry's doors that you jump out of...
if you choose to wear shoes for swim exit to T-1, consider taking out the insoles...your hands are cold and with wet feet the insoles bunch up and it can be near impossible to sort it out...easier to just jam frozen feet into shoes with no insoles...
albert
http://www.coffeesofhawaii.com
20% coffee discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST11".
20% recurring delivery discount code for Slowtwitchers: "ST1010"
join our "Coffees of Hawaii" page on Facebook for the latest coffee news
3Aims
Jun 11, 12 6:30
Post #40 of 40
(360 views)
Re: Alcatraz questions [3Aims]
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3Aims wrote:
johnh wrote:
even if you sneak into a group going off sooner.
Do people do this? I don't even know how the waves are organized yet. The timing mat is on the boat rail?
Of all the tips this one was the biggest for me this weekend. I don't know how anyone can even remotely race this course if you over 40 and follow the AG jumping order. My AG was in the 1,200 range out of 1,700 people. I hid with the 25-29 AG and was probably the 150th person off the boat. Great experience and a perfect balance between enjoying the day with some racing too.
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