Early in June, Team Fox athletes from all over the country converged on an unseasonably warm and sunny San Francisco for the Escape from Alcatraz triathlon. The Escape boasts one of the most dangerous and physically demanding triathlon courses in the world. The cold water, strong currents, sharks, and sandy hills were not enough to deter a Team Fox contingent that was twice the size of last year’s group. Maybe it was the idyllic setting, or perhaps the perfect weather, but this was a Team Fox experience to remember from start to finish.
On the night before the race, all Team Fox competitors, a number of San Francisco-Team Fox Young Professionals, and some Michael J. Fox Foundation representatives met in San Francisco’s North Beach neighborhood. We all sat down and got to know each other over a delicious meal. The athletes, of course, went heavy on the carbs.
It was a diverse group of athletes. There was a group of friends from New York that included former Navy Seals, a couple from Las Vegas, one Bostonian, and even a few local San Franciscans. Almost the whole group had some form of Parkinson’s connection, be it a friend or family member that they were swimming, biking and running for. But there were also a few athletes with no direct PD connection. They were simply there to challenge themselves while still making a huge fundraising impact. It takes all kinds to make up Team Fox!
At dinner I sat closest to an athlete named Dave Hsu, and his mom and dad. Dave was competing in memory of his late grandmother, who had suffered from PD at the end of her life. He had traveled from New York City and had invited his parents to come west with him as well, turning this adventure into a family experience. I spoke to the Hsus throughout dinner and learned about Dave’s childhood in Connecticut, his siblings, his professional life, and about just how important family was to all of them. Dave had only secured his spot in the race a month prior, but in that time had raised nearly $6,000 and whipped himself into incredible shape. Dave’s father leaned across the table at one point to tell me how proud he was of his son - proud that Dave would put his body on the line, but mostly proud of why he would do it; family, above all else.
Race day came with clear skies and strong sun. The Team Fox cheering section gathered on the beach where the swimmers exit the Bay and stared out toward ominous Alcatraz Island, waiting for the first splashes. They came, and in no time the beach was teeming with wet-suited, red-faced, triathletes, struggling through the waves and moving quickly toward the first transition. We think we saw all of the Team Fox athletes, but can’t be sure because everyone looks pretty much the same in a wetsuit. As the racers moved on to the biking and running courses, so did the cheering section. Throughout the course of the day we saw the whole team pass by and high-five us, the Navy Seals leading the way and of course Dave Hsu with a smile eternally plastered on his face.
The Escape from Alcatraz team raised more than $30,000 all told and made the event one to remember. I think Dave Hsu summed it up best when he wrote this after the race.
“I’m still reeling from the fact that I survived the swim from ‘the rock’, withstood the brutal hills on the 18 mile bike, and grinded out the 8 miles of challenging terrain during the run. It was truly an exhilarating experience and if anyone is into triathlons, this is a MUST check on your list…This was for you Ah Ma (grandma! Thanks for watching over me!”
To anyone looking for a rewarding challenge, we hope to see you in San Francisco next year!