Monday, September 6, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
I Escaped...in 3:17
Sitting by the kid table in Borders on King Street in San Francisco, a lady on the other side keeps glancing at me and looking away. She's keeping her two girls and one boy away from the side of the table with me and my son. I say nothing, but wonder why she is being so shy, almost prejudiced. She glances at her cell phone every 30 seconds or so then back at me. I stare. Yes, it's rude, but I figure she is being cold. I said hello the first time she looked over and received no response. I look at my clothes, and my son's...nothing unusual. Do I have something on my face and she can't say? Then I read it, "ESCAPE" it says. Big, bold black letters on a red wristband. Oh, that might scare her. It's around my wrist, and looks a bit odd...unless you read the fine print: "from Alcatraz Triathlon." I get up with my kid and walk off laughing.
So, I was back in San Francisco for the 30th Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, and they required you to get a wristband for transition at packet pick-up the day before. I wonder how many people in San Francisco thought there were 2000 mental institution escapees running around for the weekend? Did anyone ever call the police? I hope they have the same ones next year...now that I realize the potential mischief. That being said, this year's Escape was perfect.
We stayed with our best friends, who happen to live in the city. The weather was beautiful, if a little breezy for the entire weekend. I arrived Thursday afternoon and spent the evening bumming around. Friday started the adventure, as far as a travel blog is concerned...
I needed to ride my bike, and our friends had a bike, so that left my husband and kiddo. Now, being only 10 months, he needed a kid seat on Daddy's bike. With so many rental options, and staying right by the ballpark, that should be easy, right? Wrong. The nearest bike shop was Performance Bicycle. They don't rent. Then there was Pacific Bicycle, no kid seats, but I got a great deal on a pair of OEM aero bars! Very nice people too. Now, we had looked online, and were walking our way to Blazing Saddles in Union Square. But, I figured if we checked the other stores on the way...well, okay, I wanted to shop. Although the Blazing Saddles website showed that they rented baby seats (I don't know if it checked locations for me), they don't have any at this location. It was a long walk for nothing, pushing my bicycle. The end wisdom: If you want a baby seat on a bike in San Francisco, you have to trudge to Fisherman's Wharf. Not a complete loss of a day though, the round trip walk loosened me up after two days of driving.
Saturday was packet pick-up at Marina Green. Chrissy Field was covered with the typical weekend crowd as the four of us, plus kiddo in the stroller, went for a short 4-mile run. I started out in a jacket over a running shirt and two layers of tights. The jacket made it into the stroller by mile one and I cursed the second pair of tights for the entire second half. Oh well. It was a gray morning which turned into a beautiful day. After getting checked-in, banded and body marked, it was off to see a Giants game. Now, I never did make it to Candlestick Park, but AT&T Park is nice. We were treated to a trouncing of the Rockies, from box seats we found cheap the day prior on Stub Hub. Too bad you can't resell the parking pass online. There was even a home run that went into the water...updating a counter on the side of the field. It's a fairly short field, from my being used to San Diego, but was a great game. Also, the upper half of the 100 section boxes is out of the sun if you are looking for some shade.
Sunday brought the triathlon with a strong current. The swim is always amazing, and (my personal opinion here) not that bad. You can take a break without sinking, since you can wear a wetsuit, and look at the skyline. It is not the same even from a boat in the exact spot. Being in the water gives you a surreal feeling of freedom which makes the city all the more beautiful; once you get over the fact that you are cold. Don't worry, numbness sets in after a few strokes. Coming out of the water is always a blurr. I think I saw my husband on my way to transition, but it is all grainy. Until you knock the excess water out of your head on the bike, it's pure adrenaline and not much else guiding you. Except maybe the orange cones. The bike start gives you your head back just in time to climb the Presidio. Now, of all my luck this year, remember the bike ride I didn't take? Well, I managed to clamp my new aero bars on over my shifter cable when installing them in the middle of the night. Yes, I know, I am an ID10T. Count me out for at least 3 minutes trying to shift on the flats and cursing out the rental bike (mine had been stolen months prior). Then another 5 fiddling with the aero bars and trying to get the screw to come out with loctite on it and cold hands. I finally loosened it enough to shift and let my aero bars sit there...used them a bit in Golden Gate Park, but was wary which did not help my time. Getting off the bike, your hamstrings are toast and your body is in an uprising as you try to change shoes. What? We just did that, and you want to run 8-miles now? With a steady run pace just slower than I had trained for, this was the first time I truly felt that I had separated my my from my body. For those who compete, you will understand. For those who don't, this is not some transcendental thing. It is the simple act of reminding yourself (so I talk to myself...who doesn't) that your consciousness is the brain. The brain is in charge. The muscles and body are just an attached means of carrying it around. Therefore, their job is to do what the brain says. No questioning. No pain. No bickering back. They can't think. The brain thinks. You can ignore them. Now, if you keep repeating this to yourself over and over in your head, there is a danger you may come to believe it. And, I set a PR.
The only thing left was the post-race dinner. Absinthe. Great restaurant. You must go. About the pace of my thoughts at the time, and quite correct.
So, I was back in San Francisco for the 30th Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon, and they required you to get a wristband for transition at packet pick-up the day before. I wonder how many people in San Francisco thought there were 2000 mental institution escapees running around for the weekend? Did anyone ever call the police? I hope they have the same ones next year...now that I realize the potential mischief. That being said, this year's Escape was perfect.
We stayed with our best friends, who happen to live in the city. The weather was beautiful, if a little breezy for the entire weekend. I arrived Thursday afternoon and spent the evening bumming around. Friday started the adventure, as far as a travel blog is concerned...
I needed to ride my bike, and our friends had a bike, so that left my husband and kiddo. Now, being only 10 months, he needed a kid seat on Daddy's bike. With so many rental options, and staying right by the ballpark, that should be easy, right? Wrong. The nearest bike shop was Performance Bicycle. They don't rent. Then there was Pacific Bicycle, no kid seats, but I got a great deal on a pair of OEM aero bars! Very nice people too. Now, we had looked online, and were walking our way to Blazing Saddles in Union Square. But, I figured if we checked the other stores on the way...well, okay, I wanted to shop. Although the Blazing Saddles website showed that they rented baby seats (I don't know if it checked locations for me), they don't have any at this location. It was a long walk for nothing, pushing my bicycle. The end wisdom: If you want a baby seat on a bike in San Francisco, you have to trudge to Fisherman's Wharf. Not a complete loss of a day though, the round trip walk loosened me up after two days of driving.
Saturday was packet pick-up at Marina Green. Chrissy Field was covered with the typical weekend crowd as the four of us, plus kiddo in the stroller, went for a short 4-mile run. I started out in a jacket over a running shirt and two layers of tights. The jacket made it into the stroller by mile one and I cursed the second pair of tights for the entire second half. Oh well. It was a gray morning which turned into a beautiful day. After getting checked-in, banded and body marked, it was off to see a Giants game. Now, I never did make it to Candlestick Park, but AT&T Park is nice. We were treated to a trouncing of the Rockies, from box seats we found cheap the day prior on Stub Hub. Too bad you can't resell the parking pass online. There was even a home run that went into the water...updating a counter on the side of the field. It's a fairly short field, from my being used to San Diego, but was a great game. Also, the upper half of the 100 section boxes is out of the sun if you are looking for some shade.
Sunday brought the triathlon with a strong current. The swim is always amazing, and (my personal opinion here) not that bad. You can take a break without sinking, since you can wear a wetsuit, and look at the skyline. It is not the same even from a boat in the exact spot. Being in the water gives you a surreal feeling of freedom which makes the city all the more beautiful; once you get over the fact that you are cold. Don't worry, numbness sets in after a few strokes. Coming out of the water is always a blurr. I think I saw my husband on my way to transition, but it is all grainy. Until you knock the excess water out of your head on the bike, it's pure adrenaline and not much else guiding you. Except maybe the orange cones. The bike start gives you your head back just in time to climb the Presidio. Now, of all my luck this year, remember the bike ride I didn't take? Well, I managed to clamp my new aero bars on over my shifter cable when installing them in the middle of the night. Yes, I know, I am an ID10T. Count me out for at least 3 minutes trying to shift on the flats and cursing out the rental bike (mine had been stolen months prior). Then another 5 fiddling with the aero bars and trying to get the screw to come out with loctite on it and cold hands. I finally loosened it enough to shift and let my aero bars sit there...used them a bit in Golden Gate Park, but was wary which did not help my time. Getting off the bike, your hamstrings are toast and your body is in an uprising as you try to change shoes. What? We just did that, and you want to run 8-miles now? With a steady run pace just slower than I had trained for, this was the first time I truly felt that I had separated my my from my body. For those who compete, you will understand. For those who don't, this is not some transcendental thing. It is the simple act of reminding yourself (so I talk to myself...who doesn't) that your consciousness is the brain. The brain is in charge. The muscles and body are just an attached means of carrying it around. Therefore, their job is to do what the brain says. No questioning. No pain. No bickering back. They can't think. The brain thinks. You can ignore them. Now, if you keep repeating this to yourself over and over in your head, there is a danger you may come to believe it. And, I set a PR.
The only thing left was the post-race dinner. Absinthe. Great restaurant. You must go. About the pace of my thoughts at the time, and quite correct.
Ensenada Carnival - A Family Affair
When you think Carnival, most inevitably think Rio, costumes, alcohol and (to some the biggest draw) nudity. I have heard that New Orleans is a second. Well, Ensenada holds quite the spectacle in Baja California...and best of all, you are not afraid to take the kiddies.
(Will finish this one off over the next month. Too much to do, too little time...)
(Will finish this one off over the next month. Too much to do, too little time...)
A SeaTac Thanksgiving
I always like visiting Seattle, and the round trip flight wasn't that bad. I do enjoy the (arguably) cheap upgrade fees for US Air. $100/person for one way always makes me wince, but once I get in my seat it is worth it.
(Rest of the post was lost in transfer...sorry. I may refinish at some point.)
(Rest of the post was lost in transfer...sorry. I may refinish at some point.)
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