Andy’s Escape from Alcatraz

And there you go then!
finally after 4 weeks back lying on your handlebar, Wind jubilant past your ears, your legs in a suppleness which they , it seems, have been waiting weeks.

It is 26 november 2018 When I receive the message:

Hi Andy!
Congratulations, you were selected in the second round of the random drawing for the 2019 Escape from Alcatraz triatlon.

After a few weeks of training in the dunes is the day almost there; it is 8 juni 2019 21:06.

Refresh Cycle:
wheel well, tires hard enough
pedals
Brakes OK
saddle firm
Send OK
Bottle with homemade electrolytes ready
Cycling shoes are ready
2 energy bars 200kcal
Trisuit, start number, BiB, helmet polished
Running Shoes
charged iWatch
Bathing caps and skin are like brothers to each other
And do not forget to wax in the ears and swimming goggles.
All together, ............... .so the picture looks completely out.

I am going to bed, for no more 6 hours later (04:00)waking up and my breakfast fruit&nut granola mix with yogurt to eat.
It bothers me not at all tasty to eat so early, I start to pass en 08:30!!

A fleeting kiss, I start the car and 04:30 I'm on my way to the Marina Boulevard.

If I 05:00 with my BOSS PASS just behind the substitution area parking, It was blood red on the horizon and I look out on a windless San Francisco Bay.
I take my bike out of the car, front wheel in it , check again the tension of my tires, bike a bit ... ..yes ... .I think it should be alright.
I walk to my place change.
The distance between the stickers where you can hang your bike is about 10 cm ... ..ongelofelijk tight!! My neighbor is somewhat look foolish. I get me shoulders and start to organize my stuff: helmet on the handlebars, shoes elastic, running shoes ready to step in as my starting number.
2 Energy bars are ready (Gelletjes are not allowed !!) and a cap.

Meanwhile, I always look on the few hundred bikes toward the long line for the buses that take us to Pier 3 will transport.
It is 05:20, The last bus leaves at 06:00......... I feel relaxed ...... I appointed time.
I walk back to the car and consider whether I my wetsuit to do ........ or ... ..toch but the boat.
I look around me, the picture is very mixed ...... ..What is convenient ...... .I decided to do my suit ...... ..it is best to do with the temperature , chip to the left ankle or was it right ...... ...... do but watch ..effe links.

Gradually it starts a slight amount of tension on bubble.
Oei car key, I must lose? I can not just leave here? I decided to leave in the car.
I then walk to the long long long line and connect back to.
after 20 minuten, what does an hour seemed, I sit among a group of Germans.
What a lively conversation in the early morning, I start to sweat slightly ...... still nervous??
If the bus after a best city tour stops at the pier, I search the toilet,
Ah…. sign off ... ..erop!!
You stand just before , comes a slightly irritated gentleman out and put a sign NO ENTRY your nose and refers to the 20 dixies that are a little further.
Na 10 minute wait and a hallelujah moment I walk towards the San Francisco Bell ....(a make believe former river boat where the waterwheel is removed).

We leave nearly a half later than planned direction Alcatraz.
On the boat is a buzz with a vengeance, almost 2000 athletes and quite euphoric mood.
I see a guest is right for me who intend to make a swimsuit crossing to the marina.
In view of its' insulation’ I am sure he will make it without shivering.

The tension mounts as time passes increases again. I ask a neighbor to just grab my loose zippers and stand in line, smoothing a voltage pee’ to do.
If I close my pak common trait I feel a tear ......... NO!!!!!,
No time to grieve, ...... .gaan sit and concentrate on what is to come.

The water is tight , the flow has started and a group of dolphins makes them feel free to admire.
‘This is a rare sighting atletes and a good sign for a beautifull day’ is announced.
Nog 5 minuten
Everyone stands up and starts shuffling. I'm on the third row and wait .......
Gates open ...... .we wait patiently.
We see to our left that swimmers jump into the water and we are still held against!!

Na 30 seconds we jump.
It is not cold. I think of the markers and the endless mantra: ‘please cross the river before you head for the exit’.
I swim, note the markers on the road and keep me solid rhythm.
I'm at a point in my right hand a large group of swimmers and realize I'm out of whack, certainly when I then also once sent by a supervisor to the right .
I land perfectly on the exit,
No dizziness and I start running the 800 M which leads me to my bike.

Along amaze me still the helpers at the exit; they help various athletes in their suit. Did not think it could: suit on the hips, lie and the package is torn off in a second ... ..bijzonder.
When change occurs to me that few bikes are road; Would not it still swim with are cases?
Stuff packed and when I'm on the beam, I reluctantly beginning to an energy bar.
Half I put back into my trisuit. It will take at least 3 km before I got that one helftje my throat, but good it is good for something ... .toch??
The first miserable climb presents itself, the adrenaline pumping through my body and I'm against it.
Lincoln Boulevard I'll supporters team against, they are surprised to see me; a great moment.
Shortly thereafter, I may fall ...... ..wauw ... ..the speed .heeeeerlijk ...... ...... keep .controle and look for other kamikaze guests with a 10 kph extra beyond race.
I come to a maximum of 58,9 mph ... what incredibly yummy!!!
I bike to EL Camino drive to the Legion of Honor;the highest point on the cycle route.
The surface in the last 2 km up is bad and if you think you have spoken, then a worse part is the descent to Sea Rock Drive.
A true test for loose mouth parts .

We beat the Golden State park and prosecute the false flat Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and get on the way along the Queen Wilhelmina Tulip Garden.
A beautifully landscaped park.
When we reach the park is waiting for us a long climb along the Cliff House. I'll feel my legs, it's hard but I try to keep pace. I actually get more people ...... ..a surprise myself.
Before the Legion of Honor for the second pass, I can see 7 Athletes with bad luck along the way ...... .I realize that 6 bar in my tires had enough.
De 73 kg of body weight has also helped establish.

Lincoln Boulevard I come again my fans Bram, Rick and Glenn against.
I wave and realize that I'm almost at the transition area ...... .what is it still went fast.
I useful second piece of energy bar into the last km and get to the bar.
A rapid change and it begins running.
The temperature is increased to a degree or 25.
I am about 2 km road when the No. 1 from the opposite direction meets me. The small jet enters the 2 hours end. What a performance on this track!
Walking is good, the first stage presents itself. everyone runs, nobody runs, it is narrow and there are next oncoming runners also regular citizens on the trail.
When I press 1 km from the beach is, Glenn runs a piece with me, it feels good. The descent to the beach is hard, 1 Great catch up down.
We walk on the beach and a few hundred meters away is the turning point placed against the dune. Of course it was not heavy enough.
The real challenge comes into focus; 800m up on the Sand Ladder.
Mul sand, sleepers and sore thighs, but pace up, breathing under control and go.
When I'm up I know there are a few climbs, but I'm about half and I feel very inspired to accelerate in the last KMS.
It's hot and it hurts, but the euphoria wins, What is it cool, but the sun is killing.
I wave the way to the finish line a moment Bram ... .that's too late to catch me there.
I'm not disappointed , nimbly I'm not ... it does VERY!
The last 100meters, plenty of people along the way and what a noise!!

FROM THE NETHERLANDS ……….ANDY LIMOEN……… CONGRATULATIONS!!

I gefinished, what a day, what a game, What a super feeling!!
Even in the queue for a receipt, which all TT's standing and then on to the engraving of the medal ...... .2:56:10……..I am satisfied,

I bike in Noordwijk, it was a nice ride with beautiful flashbacks of The Escape From Alcatraz Triathlon.