Escape From Alcatraz

There are three ways to know where you are going when you swim in the open water: 1. You can follow the bubbles. Swim "on the heals" of someone who is going at your pace. Their propulsion will create bubbles. The only danger of this approach is if you are following the triathlon equivilent of the twon drunk. The  swimmer who can't swim straight if he was following a tow cable below the water's surface. (You have seen this supposed "town drunk"?) Yeah, Ironman Lake Placid, 2017. We were like three blind mice. The blind leading the blind. 2. The Tarzan Swim aka the lifeguard approach stroke (Tarzan Swim?) Johnny Weismuller AKA Tarzan of the Apes (Who?) Olympic gold medalist...googlge him. If you need to see where you are going, this is the best way to get a clear shot of what is ahead of you. (So why not swim this way?) a. You try swimming with your head out of the water. You won't get far, trust me. b. This position c...

I kick started my training for the Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon with a new years day Polar Bear Plunge. (Because it was the start of a new year or because the Escape from Alcatraz swim is freezing cold?) Yes...& yes. (Didn't you do that last year?) Yes, I swim laps for almost 4 minutes. (How did you do this year?) Not as well. With a water temperature of 37 degrees and an air temperature close to that, my swim was about 30 seconds long. (How did it feel?) How did what feel? Everything went numb immediately, but I had a support team waiting for me as soon as I deliver the water. (How did you really start training for this new event?) I was unhappy with my swimming last year at Ironman Lake Placid. I knew something was wrong with the way I've swimming. So I enlisted my mentor Neil Cook to help me figure out what was wrong with my swim. Neil came out to New Jersey with his GoPro & filmed me for ten minutes. (Just ten minutes?) Ten minutes was all it took ...

After 5 Ironman races in 7 years, I decided I needed a new challenge. (Sky diving?) Done that. (Ice climbing?) Did that too. (Swimming with sharks?) Funny you should mention that. Soon after I made this decision, I got a lottery spot in one of the most prestigious triathlons in the world. ESCAPE FROM ALCATRAZ (So it's not an Ironman?) No, but it does have a swim, a bike & a run. (How far is the swim?) 1.5 mile swim (No biggie, that's shorter than an Ironman swim.) In 50 degree water. (So you will be warm in a wet suit.) Did I mention the sharks? (Ok, in a wet suit you will look like a seal. Been nice knowing you.) I am reminded of the expression, you don't have to swim faster than the shark...you just have to swim faster than the guy next to you. (You mentioned a bike?) 18 miles through the hills of San Francisco. (How do you train for that?) 9W here in New Jersey has plenty of hills. (Do you ride outside in winter?) No, but I wil...