The Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon on May 27, 2000 was my 4th triathlon during the 3rd year of my ongoing cancer treatments. After having recently completed the difficult Wildflower Triathlon on May 5th, I felt that I was ready for this challenge that has intimidated me for years. It was a 1.5-mile swim, 18-mile bike, and 8-mile run.

What made the Alcatraz Tri special and unique for me is the fact that I have postponed training for this triathlon year after year. When I was diagnosed with cancer in 1997, at the height of my chemotherapy treatments, and the lowest time of my life, I watched this triathlon when I can barely walk and felt angry at myself for being the worst procrastinator in the world. I promised myself at that moment that if I ever survived this cancer, I will immediately train for the next Alcatraz Triathlon. I did get better and May 27, 2000 was my moment of truth: The time had come to fulfill my promise and make my dream come true.

I had two concerns going into this race: Even though swimming is my strongest event, the thought of swimming 1.5 miles from Alcatraz Island across San Francisco Bay in cold ocean waters and strong currents was scary. The second concern was the infamous Baker Beach sand stairs at mile 4 of the 8-mile run.

6 AM on May 27th, my teammates Kim Kepchar, Mike Schaal and I set up our transition areas then boarded the bus that would take us to Pier 39 where the ferry will then take us to Alcatraz Island. The mood in the bus was very quiet and gloomy, either because people were still asleep, or with nervous anxiety anticipating the upcoming swim. I started to realize how crazy this whole thing was.

Inside the ferry, it worried me that the Special Human Interest people (me) had to jump in the water immediately after the professionals, and before the 1000 amateurs. I had preferred to enter the water behind the entire pack to prevent being clobbered. However, I felt very privileged to be co-mingling in the ferry with world-class triathletes and Olympians like Pete McCain, Michellie Jones, Chris MacCormack, Luc Van Lierde, Kerry Classen, Scott Tinley, and Mike Pigg. Of course, they didn't know who the heck I was.

8 AM, the door of the ferry slid open, and the triathlon officially started as we jumped into the cold waters. There was no time to think and to be scared as my body mechanically followed the professionals into the water.

My first challenge was when I realized about 10 minutes into the swim that I was swimming separately and away from the pack. To my immediate right was the Golden Gate Bridge, while far to my left was the entire pack of swimmers headed in a separate direction! I struggled to correct my course and still made it to shore to cover the 1.5-mile swim in 44 minutes. I was so happy to reach that shore! I gained confidence as I staggered to the transition area, dizzy, to change to my cycling gear.

My second challenge was cycling uphill on Lincoln Blvd.. That was the first bike climb towards the Golden Gate Bridge. Cycling is my weakest event in the triathlon and although I felt like I had a good headstart from the swim, I knew that I will lose most of that time in the bike segment. I just took my time climbing up towards and under the Golden Gate Bridge, to Ocean Blvd., Golden Gate Park, then finally back to the transition area for the run. I was happy to see my family, Team-in-Training teammates, and friends at the sidelines of the transition area to cheer me on. This made all the difference and lifted my spirits. Then I slowly began the 8-mile run while my legs felt like boat anchors.

My 3rd challenge was the Fern Grove climb. This was never mentioned on any literature and website of the race and I was caught off-guard with this uphill run, then back down towards the beach sands which was also tough.

Then I approached the dreaded sandstairs, my 4th challenge. This was the ultimate and final challenge as I thought - If I can only get through this part, I will be fine for the remaining 4 miles to the Finish Line. 1/3 into the climb, both of my quads cramped. I had to stop to stretch and alleviate the pain. I walked and jogged the rest of the way up to the street as I completed all 400+ steps. At the top, there was an aid station where I ate and drank what I could as I anticipated the 5th mile of the run downhill back through Fern Grove. The 6th to the 8th mile of the run seemed to take forever as I started to feel the familiar pain in my left knee.

As always, the sight of the Finish Line afar as well as the cheering of the crowd always rejuvinates my spirit. No words can describe that feeling as I approached and crossed the Finish Line with the sight of family and friends beyond it. I crossed that line with all imaginable emotions as thoughts of survival, accomplishment, and content went through my mind.

Even though it took me 3 hours and 50 minutes to complete the course (my worse time ever), I still felt like I've won the Gold. It is true what they say that completing triathlons really is a test of the human spirit. For me, I also equate it to many challenges in life, one of which is to fight and survive cancer while setting a good example of hope and inspiration to others. Beating other triathletes' finish times is very low on my priorities. Okay, maybe not that low. :-)

I'll be back on June 10, 2001 to beat MY time! So there!