Congratulations on your wonderful race at the Jarden Westchester Triathlon. Because of your incredible performance, you have qualified for a slot to the Escape from Alcatraz race. The Race will be held June 5, 2011.
This slot is being offered to you first, but if you choose to not use it, the slot will roll down in your age group to the next qualifying athlete.
Please respond to this email by November 6th. Please let me know if you will accept the slot or not. A simple YES or NO is all I need to get you on your way to San Francisco (or not). The Alcatraz registration fee is $400.
Congratulations again,
The Westchester Triathlon Committee
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I am still in shock! I was really proud of my race at the Westchster Triathlon this year. I placed third in my age group out of 29. I thought that I had missed a spot for Alcatraz since slots are awarded for the first two in each age group but it turns out that the slots roll down. Apparently the first or second place winner in my age group decided not to go and now I have an opportunity to take the slot.
The problem is I don't know what to do! The race fee is really high and the associated expenses for flying to San Francisco, shipping my bike and getting a long sleeve wet suit would clear out my race coffers for 2011. Plus, I haven't nailed down my race plans for 2011 but I was tentatively planning on doing my first half ironman early in May or June. If I decide to do Escape from Alcatraz I'll need to put those plans on the back burner. Due to some other commitments for next year it would probably mean I would need to wait until 2012 before attempting a half. On the other hand, this is an amazing opportunity! Entry to Escape from Alcatraz is done through race qualifications and lotteries. I might not have the chance to do this race again.
I've got a big decision to make. I reached out to the director and asked more more details about the registration window to see if I can get a little more time to decide...
The problem is I don't know what to do! The race fee is really high and the associated expenses for flying to San Francisco, shipping my bike and getting a long sleeve wet suit would clear out my race coffers for 2011. Plus, I haven't nailed down my race plans for 2011 but I was tentatively planning on doing my first half ironman early in May or June. If I decide to do Escape from Alcatraz I'll need to put those plans on the back burner. Due to some other commitments for next year it would probably mean I would need to wait until 2012 before attempting a half. On the other hand, this is an amazing opportunity! Entry to Escape from Alcatraz is done through race qualifications and lotteries. I might not have the chance to do this race again.
I've got a big decision to make. I reached out to the director and asked more more details about the registration window to see if I can get a little more time to decide...
12 comments:
You can't pass on Alcatraz -- especially with a qualification slot (over a lottery). Congrats!
That being said, you could still do an early season 70.3 (late April, early May) and still bounce back in plenty of time for Alcatraz.
Wow! That is awesome! Congrats! What a crazy decision you have to make! But, like the comment above, I don't know if I would pass on a qualification slot to Alcatraz! That is just amazing!!! If it were me, I would totally do it!
congrats....good luck making your decision....
That's a tough decision - I may be the first person to tell you to consider letting it go.
Perhaps if you concentrate on a half iron-man you'll be asked to partake in the next Alcatraz event? I'm sure your timings will be even more awesome next year!
But I don't know much about lotteries and qualifying for events :/
Oh wow! TAKE IT!
Congrats!
Go for it!
Although, like some of the previous commenters mentioned, I'm sure you'll be able to re-qualify this year.
So, you might think that after breaking my arm on the way to the race this year I'm not the best person to talk to ... however ... do it! Seriously. It's an amazing race. I would go back in a heartbeat!
That is amazing! congrats on qualifying! Geez, I don't know what to tell you. I'm thinking if it were me, I would probably go, but you need to follow your heart. Good luck!
Do it! I have a LS wetsuit you can borrow for the race and use for training. Seriously. I never use it. Pretty sure it would fit, though I am a little taller. :)
OMG - you have to do this! How cool!
Housing - Try friending a blogger out in San Fran area for a place to stay - I found someone for Vineman I am staying with - she just volunteers...
Wetsuits - borrow, rent or try to look for clearance ones, that's how I got my Orca one for 1/2 off -
Shipping bike - you can check into it but there was an article recently in Bicycling mag that gives some guidance on $$
1/2 irons, there are so many local ones in Sept - which gives you a nice base and good practice with Alcatraz -
This is exciting!!
OMG! DO IT DO IT DO IT!!!!!!!
That is sooooo freaking cool!!!! I say do it as well, its a bucket list race!!!! (though I am shocked over the price though)
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