Jenny Fletcher Escaped from Alcatraz

Another example of how it was a big weekend for Suunto athletes! Jenny Fletcher rocked it in her third triathlon as a Suunto Pro. She tells us Escape from Alcatraz is her favorite race and she did a great job finishing 6th.

Check out what Jenny had to say on her blog:

From Jenny Fletcher: Escape From Alcatraz is truly a race that challenges every level of athlete. There is no grace in this race. From beginning to end it tests every aspect of mind, body, and soul. There is nothing more satisfying than crossing that finish line hearing them call out your name and know that I truly did feel that I escaped from Alcatraz.

I am once again so thrilled with my race. It's my 3rd PRO race of the season in the US and I have had nothing but joy and a feeling of achievement as I crossed the finish line in 6th place with a sense of knowing that I raced my heart out and put it all out there. Knowing the training I have put in has made me so ready for each and every challenge I face during a race! I once again have to say I love my job. I am living my dream... and the best is I still feel like I am only at the beginning!

How Andy can lose one minute up the sand ladder...

... and still manages to win the Escape from Alcatraz.

unknown athlete fighting up the Sand Ladder

Es reported earlier Jenny Fletcher won the Age Group, the Non-Pro race and finished top 9 in the Pros - as an Amateur. But more impressively, she ran up the tough Sand Ladder one minute faster than three times winner Andy Potts.

Here's some insight from both Suunto athletes.

Jenny:
"I think there definitely has to be an error in the sand ladder results... Andy could have crawled up it, stopped in the middle to get his picture taken, maybe even sign a couple autographs and still beat me up.... So I'd like to think I was fast and stealthy up it.... But I'm thinking that he ran over the timing mat so fast they didn't get his accurate time ;)!
Next year Andy I'll have a contest with you to see if you can take your sand ladder title back ;)!!!"

But only Andy can tell us the real reason :
"The sand ladder is tough - I took my time going up."

Boring(?) - but somehow it feels great that the Sand Ladder is tough for World Champs, too, doesn’t it?

News is what's different

No News: Conrad Stoltz wins the XTERRA in Richmond, VA last weekend.

No News: Andy Potts wins the Escape from Alcatraz.

No News: Jenny Fletcher wins her Age group at the Escape from Alcatraz.

News: 3 minutes before the XTERRA race started, Conrad sliced open the top of his foot shuffling across the bottom of the James River while helping to put a course buoy back in place. This resulted in a HUGE flesh wound on his foot. After the race it got fixed with 7 stitches. But before that Conrad did race, got some first aid during the first transition, soaked his running shoe in blood and finished FIRST!

TRAIN SMARTER, RACE HARDER! Congrats Conrad, you are amazing!
Find the story in Conrad's own words here.



2009 XTERRA CUP SERIES STANDINGS (After 5)
Pl Name Points
1 Conrad Stoltz 469 (Suunto)
2 Dan Hugo 401 (Garmin)
3 Josiah Middaugh 352
4 Mike Vine 322
5 Nico Lebrun 310 (Suunto)

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NEWS: Andy Potts is now three times Champion of the Escape from Alcatraz. Andy won the last three events ('07, '08 and '09). Congratulations Andy, three times is legacy!Andy put in a solid race and not only had the best swim leg as usual but also had the fastest run and the second fastest bike leg. But up the famous Sand Ladder Andy (07 in 50 sec) lost 1 minute to fellow Suunto athlete Jenny Fletcher (6 min 54 sec). We are investigating this fact and will share more insight soon!

Jenny won her age group in 2 hours 38 minutes which puts her also in the top rank of all non-pro female and Top 9 in the pro field. HEY USAT it's time for the pro card for Jenny! Check out Jenny's blog where she describes her life: "I'm having a blast on this journey!"