Escape Attempt

Two weeks from today, I'll be preparing to Escape from Alcatraz.  If you've never heard of it, it is an iconic triathlon in San Francisco.  It begins with a 1.5 mile swim from Alcatraz into San Francisco.  55 degree water, marine life (Sharks, seals, sea lions, etc.) and a strong current.  If I survive the swim, them I have a half mile run to transition where I'll start an 18 mile bike through San Fran hills.  Finally, I'll tackle an 8 mile run over hills, on the beach, and up the dreaded "sand ladder".  If you want more info, you can go here...

http://www.escapefromalcatraztriathlon.com/

About the only way to get into this race is by lottery.  It seemed like such a good idea last summer when I entered the lottery.  It even seemed like a good idea in October when I won the lottery slot.  I obviously did not take into account the fact that it's difficult to train during a Wisconsin winter.  After lots of laps in the pool, hours on the trainer and in spin classes, and many miles of cold runs through snow and ice, I have to admit it still seems like a good idea! The only time I questioned it was a few weeks ago when I was riding my bike to work and crashed after hitting a patch of ice.  Huge bruises were painful, but not the main problem.  I hurt my shoulder when I went down and spent a couple of weeks out of the pool and trying to heal.  Finally I went to my doctor, who is a cyclist and athlete and understands the importance of events like this.  The first half of the appointment was spent discussing the race and looking at the course online.  I love my doctor!  When we finally got back to diagnosing my injury, after much manipulation, and range of motion tests, he determined that I had a minor rotator cuff strain and could get back to training.  So, I've been back to 2600 yard swims preparing for San Francisco Bay.

 It's hard to believe I'm racing in two weeks when my 8 mile run today was in 14 degree temps with a wind chill of 2.  But, at least, snow is a reasonable substitute for sand!  And there will be lots of sand... the sand ladder is basically 400 steps consisting of landscape timbers connected together and covered with sand leading from the beach, back up to the road. I'm told even the pros walk it. Must be brutal.  Sure looks like it!

All indications are it's a incredible race in an amazing location.  And with a swim from Alcatraz to San Francisco, what's not to love?

As I'm running today, I was thinking about all the things that I am currently doing, or attempting that I would never have dreamed of.  Some things as large as Ironman Wisconsin, or a swim from Alcatraz and others as simple as commuting to work year round by bike in all weather.  It's not that long ago that I never would have willingly gone outside with a wind chill of 2 degrees, much less run 8 miles it.  Hell, it wasn't that long ago that I thought that running 8 miles at all would have been an impossible task.  It's funny how perspective changes and makes things that seem impossible, attainable. 

I wonder what I'll do tomorrow that seems impossible today?  What will you you do?