Alcatraz!

This was my 4th time competing in the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon with the one (the only) Charlie. He's a lot faster than I - but I have a blast riding the boat out with him before the plunge. He also has other wonderful assets - he provides me a sweet bike for the race, numerous accessories (water bottles, towels, etc.), multiple tivo'ed episodes of The Office, a place to stay, and Andrea - whose love, baking, and cooking prowess are only outdone by her good looks and willingness to await us at the finish line with champagne.



On a sidenote - I defeated Charlie for the first time ever this year. I beat his transition from the bike to the run by 5 seconds! After years of combing statistics looking for one aspect where I may have edged him out - VICTORY! (He must have fallen down) Feel free to email him and comment. If you're looking for a subject line, you might use "James owns Charlie" (just a suggestion)




^{Does anyone know which way the weight room is? Is it that way?}




I always miss the fam lots at this event - we need to accelerate their training so we can all do it next year. In an attempt to try and play up the event for the kiddies- I gave this little speech on the way to the airport, "Daddy's going to visit Charlie. We're going to plunge into the icy, shark infested waters of San francisco Bay; Bike the grueling elevations of SF; then run the dreaded sand ladder in our quest to Escape from the Rock {insert dramatic pause}" They were very quiet...although Finn did warn me (as he does daily) "Don't fall off your bike, Dad." Very helpful, Finn. Thanks. However, every time I called home, Seamus greeted me with extensive questions. "Dad, is the sand ladder made of sand?" "Do you take a boat to the sand ladder?" "Could I do the sand ladder with you?" "Could I ride my alleycat behind you to the sand ladder?" "I want to ladder the sand, but I don't like deep water. Is the water deep?" Evidently, the sand ladder captured his imagination. Here's a picture that captures it a bit - it goes for 400 steps.


Many thanks to Margo and Julian for hosting us for a post race dinner! We had great food - Margo is an excellent cook. And they treated us to their great views of the city. We played "Stump the Julian" by randomly pointing at distant locations from their deck - but lost. While, again, a visit with margo has come and gone without a picture - I've posted this picture of her and Julian to prove that they do, in fact, exist. Thanks again, Margo and Julian!

A good time was had by all. Party.


Thanks Anne, Seamus, Finn, and MJ - for rooting me on, loving me from MN, and welcoming me home! Go Dougherty summer of fitness!