Napa triathlete Eric Gilsenan is plotting his 25th consecutive Escape from Alcatraz for this coming Sunday March 3. What keeps him so involved with the sport?
“An 18 year-old girl told my wife and me, “I want to do a triathlon as a senior class project.” We took her on but her mother never showed any support. But then on the day before she tells her daughter, “Honey I support you. This has been quite an undertaking, I think it’s great.” She saw her daughter finish the race and was so inspired that she’s been working out for three years, lost 50 pounds and the relationship is better than ever. That’s really what it’s all about as I see it.”
Does he have any advice to help people with this race?
“55 degree water is going to be cold. Be ready for it. This is not the time to be mentally weak. Visualize what it’s going to be like on the boat, when you are circling the island. Breathe. Understand your body’s going to be enveloped in 55 degree water for 45 minutes or so. But then you get to ride a bike by the most photographed object in the world and the famed streets of San Francisco. And run the sand ladder. Be ready for the finish line and enjoy it. It’s going to be a great day.”
Amen!
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