I knew heading into 2008 it would be an interesting year due to some planned events both in life and in the race world. I got into Escape from Alcatraz through the lottery, and shifted my race prep to surviving this event.

I started with an 6 hour MTB race. Never had done one of these before, and I figured it would help me learn to suffer a little more. It did. A crash caused by another rider caused MAJOR back pains, and I dropped after 4 laps. 33/44 in the Sport class. One more lap would have gone a long way to improving that standing.

Next up? Continuing with the dirty theme, and a year of firsts, my first Xterra! I was amped going into this race, but not too optimistic, work had cut into my workouts and training time significantly heading into this race. It was a blast. No pics, however. I never saw a link to any photographer for the race. Oh, and I got the WORST blisters on my heels from my new XC spikes. You know the rule "nothign new on race day?" thats why. Ouch.
25/86 swim-17:05 T1-2:05 bike-1:10:31/11.1 mph T2-0:34 Run-33:10 8:18

Third was one mof my favoritelocal events, the Mad Beach Tri. Its a fast sprint and draws the best in the area. This year had the deepest field I recall. Good stuff. First time out with my disc cover, it works.
1:18:56 swim-15:08 T1-1:04 Bike-37:32 T2-0:49 Run-22:25
6/32 AG, 52/800+ OA with my first drafting penatly. it didnt affect my placing, so i didnt bother with protesting it, even though it was total crap.

The next worning I loaded myself onto a plane for Colorado.
My best friends and I did this:

And this:

Before I went and did this:

We got on a plane and flew to CA, where I particpated in one of the most fun events I have ever done, and think I will ever do. If you've never done Escape From Alcatraz, DO IT. Enter th lottery every year and try to qualify. Expensive race, but worth ever single penny.
2:52:00 swim-:38:07 T1-:07:47 Bike-1:01:25 T2-:01:34 run time-1:03:06 sand stairs-0:03:18
40/~120 Ag (the results listing is funky) Not super fast, but I was having too much fun.
I had no choice when I saw my best man had done this to my race wear-

Me and my bride:

They had to have had the WORST photographers at that race. Not ONE of my race photos is a keeper. I dont even have my head in one of em! Thanks to Kylie and her new hubby Mike for coming out of their way to lend me a wetsuit and squid lid- that was a lifesaver! It was GREAT to meet you two!

After that, we drove across the state and saw this:

And this:

Before heading home. With that phase of my year over, it was time for mynext challenge moving and buying a house. After much running around and hair pulling out, we have this-

Unofrtunately all this runnign around, travel, and high dollar races left me with no enough funds to spend on more races. I am not too disappointed, but would have liked to have squeezed in another race or two. But all good things come to an end, as does this season.

Next up- offseason training. Time to get stronger and faster so I can compete in my new age group!