It was a great race and before I forget too much of it I will give a report of what I think was one of the most enjoyable but challenging races I have ever participated in!!
First, San Francisco is such an awesome City...so much to see, a very cool and vibrant city and runners and cyclists everywhere! People are into fitness and even the girl at the grocery store checked out my Ironman shirt and asked me if I know Chris Leito (google him if you don't know him) because she is best friends with his wife!
Strong currents and cold water make Pedros swim clinic the Friday before a good idea...we all participated in this since Pedro has done this swim close to 1000 times he "knows the waters". Some priceless tips on currents, sighting, landmarks and some "in the water" practice made the 100 bucks well worth it and if you ever plan to do this race....do the clinic!! 
Race Day.....race start was 8 am but having to rack the bike, plus take a bus from transition to the ferry dock and a ferry ride out to "The Rock" made a 3 am wake up necessary! Our condo was a short walk away from the transition so I racked the bike, organized my gear yaked with some people and said Bye to Lorna and got on the bus to the ferry! Arrived at the dock at 6am and picked up the timing chip and spent the next hour walking around and chatting with other tri people from all around the world....not a bad way to spend some time before the 7 am boarding! The ferry is huge and has 2 levels...I finally met up with LeeAnn and Rhonda so we found some floor and got ourselves ready. Such a cool way to start a race.....on a boat with 1800 people....everyone with their own rituals, routines and degree of nervousness. I particularily remember the "I Rock for Jesus" dude!! The ferry left the dock and headed out to Alcatraz and circled around the island and stopped at the starting line. And what a starting line! Starting with the pros and working through the age groupers we all jump off the boat into the ccccold water about 3 or 4 at a time....a bit nerve racking while were waiting out turn to jump but once in the water the solid fall/winter of 3 times a week 6 am Matt Tri Swim Training and Pedro Swim Clinic, it was time to get on with the business!! The tidal current was strong and taking us to the Golden Gate but inside info (Pedro) gave us a plan of swimming perpenducular to the current and 5 landmark sightings that got me to shore in 31 minutes for the 1.5 miles....almost 15 minutes faster than planned!!! Thanks to Matts swim training, Pedros swim clinic, and the currents of the day!! Hit the beach....off with the wetsuit...on with the running shoes and then the 1 Km run to T1. Felt pumped from the "fast" swim and passed quite a few to T1. On the bike....feeling great....warm temps....bike feels great...it is of course the absolute best triathlon bike that you can possibly buy (Cervelo P3 Carbon)!! The bike was tough but senic through the streets of San Francisco....to the Golden Gate National Park and back to T2. Dropped the bike and felt FAST on the run...first time in a long time doing a "shorter" distance race so the legs feltamazingly fresh!! The run course is a cool mix of flat gravel/pavement, steep single track, stairs, beach running and of course the infamous sand ladder! Race summary 2hours 50 minutes and 6 seconds.....34 out of 175 in the 45-49 Age group and got the sub 3 hour goal I set!! LeeAnn and Rhonda had great races and we all celebrated the next day with an epic bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge, to Soulsalito, Tuberon and back!! Tram Cars, Peking Duck, Fishermans Wharf, Sport Basement....wow what a store!! Love San Fran!!!
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