SavageMan Triathlon 70.0 - Triathlon1/2 Ironman

Swim course info here: http://savagemantri.org/Swim_Course.html

A magical morning as the fog was lifting over the water and the sun was shining just over the water's edge ... right into my face. I knew I wasn't going to be the first one out of the water by any means, and it was going to be a long day, so I decided to start off easy off the back.

Wow, turns out the sun in my face meant I couldn't sight off of ANY of the buoys, just these black shadows that "looked" like buoys, and all the bobbing heads in front of me. Things got better after rounding the Thomas (the big green turnaround turtle), found a few people to draft off of as the pack thinned out. After rounding the big white swan, got shallow really quick, then I realized I had to head back out away from shore to avoid the rock outcropping. Overall it was a comfortable pace.

Nothing.

Took my time to dry off thoroughly before putting on ALL the clothing for the freeze-fest on the first part of the bike ride.

Nothing

Summary of Bike Course here: http://savagemantri.org/Bike_Course.html

Full course profile at http://savagemantri.org/Images/Bike_Half_profile.png(see photo below)

One word: Savage. Actually, another word: Epic. This is the most incredible bike course I have ever ridden in my life. Your emotions run the whole spectrum: it's the most brutal, the most beautiful, and the most rewarding, with the most amazing support from the spectators and volunteers. The first sign of things to come is Toothpick Rd., just after transition. Then you get some nice rolling hills in the sun before the LONG AND COLD DESCENT down Spring Lick Rd. At the bottom the ride along Savage River is really beautiful.

Once you cross the bridge on the approach to Westernport, you can feel the anticipation as you pass the paper mill. Once you make the turn into Westernport, you are immediately greeted with ... HILLS. BIG Hills, averaging 12%-15% grade over 4 blocks BEFORE you hit the Wall.

For a taste of the number of bikers falling at Westernport Wall, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EcqIgCJNjto

I took it REALLY easy by switching to my easiest gear (34/34) and doing the paper-boy switchback all the way up: it was really easy, and others started passing me, but I just wanted to save my legs for the Wall. I was already getting fired up, the fans were already lined along the streets 3-4 blocks before the wall, and I saw a wonderful message in chalk from my family.

Words cannot describe the insanity at the Westernport Wall: the blasting of "ROCKY" music, all the cowbells, the cheering, the screaming, and your brain is telling you, THIS IS IT! It was like an out-of-body experience where everything starts moving in slow motion, it is that emotionally intense.

The strategy almost worked: I felt strong coming up to the Wall, and I actually made it almost to the top, except at the last moment I had to veer left around a fallen rider -- I saw a huge crack in the road and knew I had to power through it. I got over the crack with the front tire, but the back tire of my tri bike did a wicked jump on the crack that unclipped my right shoe from my pedal causing me to fall sideways.
Here's the YouTube video of my attempt: I'm in the bright yellow w/ leg warmers and red gloves in the first 35 seconds of the video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veUVx9w09uU

Talk about a range of emotions within 10-15 seconds: determination, out-of-body experience from being overwhelmed by the screaming/cheering/cowbells/Rocky Music, the thrill of knowing you're about to make it, making a quick adjustment around a rider, surprise and shock when your pedal unclips, disoriented when you're on the ground with a volunteer saying "I have your bike, get to the side and get your bike at the top".

I'm not disappointed, it was just bad luck getting unclipped. As the race director Kyle Yost says, the spirit of the Wall is that it's not just about being "able" to make it up the Westernport Wall, it's also about having the right line, and a little bit of luck.

After stripping off the cold-weather gear 100 yds. after the Wall, THE REAL HILLS BEGIN. Total. Sufferfest. It felt like I'd be out there all day, but the signs by volunteers were hilarious and the scenery beautiful. The best view was at the top of Otto Lane, looking over my left shoulder, and seeing the wide expanse of mountain ranges.

I took my time up Killer Miller, and did OK: the TWO cheering squad parties were amazing, and a real boost. After Killer Miller, I started to feel pretty good about myself, only to be slapped silly by Maynardier Ridge (DAMN you, Kyle!). Once I hit the open corn fields, I had a big grin because I knew the end was in sight.

Note to self: SELF, do NOT eat garlic bread before a race: the, er, "pains" the next day on the bike are not pretty.

Wow, had enough energy in the legs for a flying dismount, a good sign. Was even more thrilled to see my family for the first time in the race cheering me on at the dismount line. Took it easy in T2, changed out of the cycling jersey, socks and shoes, gels, hat, number, said Hi to the wife, off I go.

Nothing.

Run Course Details here: http://savagemantri.org/Run_Course.html

Was pleasantly surprised how good I felt on the run once I warmed up after the first mile. I'm sure if felt so good because because almost the entire run course was one big party, with everyone blasting their stereos and cheering (no, SCREAMING) us on: I was having so much fun I couldn't stop grinning. Felt some minor fatigue starting at mile 6, most likely due to dealing with the Fire Tower Trail (it's a TRAIL, not a road): getting down was even tougher than getting up, I was really concerned about twisting an ankle.

Took a Clif Shot gel every 45 min., along with a few sips of water at almost every stop, then a banana at the top of Fire Tower Trail for a final energy boost.

Hearing the announcer about 500m before the finish, the emotions started building up: the training over the last 2 years had paid off. I am a SAVAGEMAN!

Nothing as to the overall course, the pacing for the whole race was flawless. (Of course, I got so excited at the finish I started kicking up the pace at the finish, only to be rewarded with a cramp in my left hamstring as I crossed the finish! So, I guess don't sprint at the finish)

Walk around and work out the finish-line cramp in my hamstring, wolf down a peanut-butter-chocolate ice cream cone. MMMmmmmmm.


Seriously??? Savageman???


There are some things that change you: this race is one of those things. Training for this race was hard: it was hard on me, it was hard on my family. The training over the last two years was the toughest I have ever experienced. If I doubted whether all the training for some race was worth it, those doubts were swept away upon realizing that my suffering was nothing compared to those who suffer from cancer and other immunodeficiency-related diseases: people I know and for whom I care. To say I was encouraged by my families and donors the last two weeks before the race was an understatement: they lifted me up from my mentally exhausted state at the end of my training to remind me that yes, this was something worthwhile.


I would not have been able to cross the finish line of "the toughest triathlon in the world" without the support and prayers of my family, friends, and of course my generous donors who helped me raise money for Joanna M Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, in the hopes that my suffering may help others. I learned to counter every moment of suffering or doubt with a renewed determination to get the job done. I thank God that I was able to glorify His name by finishing this race in the name of all my generous donors, my friends and my dear family. I hope anyone reading this will remember that if you have the will, dedication, and resources, you'll be amazed at what you can accomplish.

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