Sunday, September 20, 2009
1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run
For me, training for my 3rd SavageMan race was by far the best. It helped to have so many Mid MD Tri Club members and friends training and racing this year. I had such a good time this summer along the way – from the Deep Creek training trip to the Jellyfish 10Up Ride to the Happy Happy Pain Pain Ride and the few weeknight hill rides in EC. Not only was that training fun but I really felt prepared for the race.
Until Sunday night the week prior. That’s when I felt an illness developing. I attacked it with all I could – Emergen-C, echinacea, zinc, tea, humidifier, and rest. By Thursday, I was worse and at the doctor’s office. I was treated for a sinus infection with an antibiotic because my doc knew I wanted to race and there was no time to wait. She said the drawback would be, uhh, stomach distress. Yeah, whatever, I thought, just help me get rid of the illness, my stomach will be fine.
Saturday Night: We can’t get to the race without first thanking Donnie K. and his family for the wonderful dinner (enough food to feed Wave 1). It was nice to hang out with friends, eat good food, and relax. Then it was back to the plush accommodations atop Wisp at my friend Gary’s house.
Race Morning: I slept fine – though my stomach was unsettled before sleeping and when I woke. Still, I ate my normal pre-race breakfast (a bagel with PB and honey plus coffee) and watched Jellyfish fumble through the making of his oatmeal while trying not to wake the two sleeping International Distance racers. Jellyfish and I then headed to the park; it’s really convenient to leave for a race at the humane hour of 7 AM.
After setting up transition, I realize that my stomach is still not feeling well so I eat a Tums and hope I’ll be fine. Despite that, I really was happy to reach the starting line after being ill.
Swim: The M 40-44 were in the last wave and the highlight of the wait was the smack that Jellyfish was hurling at DC Mayor Adrian Fenty as he waded in to the lake. It went a little like this:
Jelly: I’m coming after you, Mayor!
Mayor: A look back and a smile.
Jelly: That’s right, I’ll getcha.
Me: That’s #401, Mayor. #401. Do you want his name?
Mayor: No, his # will do.
And then we’re in the water and beginning our journey toward the sunrise and the green inflatable turtle which marked the first turn. Right from the start, I found a nice rhythm, no bumping, no crowds, just a couple of moves around folks and smooth waters. On the return trip, I felt relaxed and easily sited on the buoys. After another turnaround there was a short distance back into the sun. Around the rocks and to the beach. Out of the water and I’m surprised a bit to see that my minimalist swim training this season results in a PR for this distance.
Time 34:14 (18/48)
T1: 5:58 (24/48) A deliberately slow change where I tried to dry off as much as possible before donning a sleeveless shirt, bike jersey, arm warmers, gloves, socks and shoes. It was a bit chilly but nothing like two years ago so I skipped the vest.
Bike: After a few rolling miles, I thought to myself how fortunate I am to be able to participate in races like this. And how I was determined to get up the Westernport Wall and finish my 3rd SavageMan, and how I was grateful to those that contributed to the race charity for me and how I just had to finish. I actually started to get a bit emotional and that usually doesn’t happen until late in the run for me. So I reminded myself, never too high, never too low, just keep moving.
Biking the long descent along the Savage River is my favorite part of the race, why wouldn’t it be? It’s beautiful and it’s downhill! One thing about this race is that the scenery is awesome and can distract you a bit – that’s good when it’s a painful climb but you have to be careful on the descents.
My stomach still didn’t feel well and that raised my level of concern. So I decide to sip from my drink every 10 minutes. And then during the flat couple of miles before the town of Westernport I decide to eat a bag of Welch’s Fruit Snacks. The heartrate starts increasing just from the anticipation of the Westernport Wall. I shed the arm warmers and gloves and begin the climb.
First block, no problem. Second block, a guy is already weaving and almost cuts me off but a quick swerve to the left, an apology by him, and I’m back on track, climbing on the right hand side of the road. But my legs aren’t feeling too strong, maybe the illness has sapped me a bit.
To the 3rd block and the real rowdiness of the crowd. While I soak in the noise – the cowbells, the cheers, the shouts, I’m all business on this climb, never looking more than a foot or so in front of my wheel. It’s time to stand and get after it. I hear my name called (is that Donnie’s family, Maura D., other MMTC folks?), I don’t know but I certainly appreciate it. And then the devil himself is screaming at me; he’s in my face. All of which serve to pump the adrenaline and carry me up the wall. Woo Hoo!
But I realize how much that climb just took out of me. I think to myself, it doesn’t matter if you have to walk any other hill, you made it up that one, now get moving to the finish. On to the remainder of the 7 mile climb to the top of Big Savage Mountain. I’m feeling okay and keep it slow and easy. Once to the top, I decide it’s time for a Tums and an Endurolyte pill, stomach still not good. And there goes Jellyfish; I’d been waiting for him to pass.
Time to relax and enjoy the tricky descent down to the Savage River State Forest. And then I begin the 3 mile gradual climb out of the forest. For several minutes, I see no one. I start counting the remaining hills and try to remind myself to make the best of the day. Never too high, never too low. I’m still having stomach issues but manage to eat a 2nd pack of fruit snacks. McAndrews Hill is up next. Check. Moving on to the next one. Otto Lane? Check. But here I stop to eat the last two Tums – it’s now or never to see if it improves.
Down we go for some fun before Killer Miller. I just know I’ll be walking that one. Around the first corner I climb and make brief conversation with a photographer about how the cows moved next to the road to see what the crazy bikers were doing. Up and up, standing but barely moving to the top of the 1.3 mile climb and the final aid station. I asked for Tums but no luck. I dumped the remainder of my electrolyte drink and mixed a fresh one at less strength hoping I could manage it.
Luckily I could stomach water or I would’ve been doomed. On I pushed, thrilled to have only one last climb – Maynardier Ridge, and eventually it too was in the rearview mirror. Just over 11 miles to go and somewhere along this stretch I’m passed by Wade G. and Bob R.
Wade didn’t know it but seeing him earlier in the bike was a real inspiration. I knew he was registered but didn’t think he’d make it back from his accident at EagleMan. I try to hang with Bob but I’m working on very few calories and know that pushing the pace will just cause more stomach problems. So I take what the day has given and make my way toward the finish of the bike.
SavageMan Climbs
| Hill Name |
Pt in Race |
Category |
Distance |
Avg |
Max |
| Toothpick |
0.5 mi |
4th Savagery |
0.25 mi |
9% |
16% |
| Westernport |
18.5 mi |
Hors Savage |
1.2 mi |
12% |
31% |
| Big Savage Mtn |
23.4 mi |
1st Savagery |
2.4 mi |
6% |
21% |
| Savage Rvr |
30.0 mi |
4th Savagery |
2.8 mi |
4% |
7% |
| McAndrews Hill |
32.8 mi |
2nd Savagery |
0.6 mi |
9% |
19% |
| Otto Lane |
35.1 mi |
2nd Savagery |
0.6 mi |
8% |
17% |
| Killer Miller |
38.1 mi |
Hors Savage |
1.3 mi |
8% |
22% |
| Maynardier Ridge |
43.8 mi |
3rd Savagery |
0.25 mi |
12% |
23% |
Time: 4:19:24 (35/48) – exactly 7 minutes slower than last year which is disappointing considering I felt much better prepared.
T2: 3:08 (20/48) – the legs felt okay but still I made my way slowly through the transition area.
Run (HA!) – I’m surprised to find that I can run slowly without too much bouncing that might create more stomach problems. So I went with an approach to make it to mile 1 and then walk for 30 seconds. And then on to mile 2 with some walking in the campground. And now I’m thinking, this is great, just keep it up for another mile. One at a time. And then I reach the fire road trail where I walk up and down. Hmmm, stomach hurting more. Still, I manage nothing but water at the aid stations. Alternating walking with running for periods of 30 paces, then 20 paces, then 10.
And then around mile 5.5 I decided to sit, drink water, and ponder the remainder of the race. I wondered how I’d finish if I couldn’t take in anything but water. On I trudge toward the end of loop 1 and there goes Jellyfish on his way to the finish. I’d already seen Chris L. and Laurie T. make their final push to the end and I was thrilled for them. Out past the transition area and I made a decision. I had to try to force in calories to make it any further. Two fruit chews consumed and water chugged before…well, yep, once again I got sick. I consider walking back to the transition area and calling it a day, figuring it just wasn’t to be. Donnie K. passed me and asked if I was okay. Nope. But after a few minutes, I got up, grabbed a cup of water and walked along the trail. This, I decided, had to be the lowest of the low points. It couldn’t get any worse, could it?
I reached mile 7 and tried to calculate if there was enough time to be an official finisher if I walked the rest. I didn’t think so, but I passed Bob who was headed the other way at that point and he offered enough words of encouragement to give me hope. So I tried running. And it worked. But between the stomach issues and lack of calories, I was struggling and soon walking again. And then my friend Gary found me and he had more Tums. Two more down and on I walked. Somewhere in this stretch a runner passed me and told me the official cut-off time was 5:00 pm and that we had 45 minutes to go. Realizing I wouldn’t make it was deflating. All of it for nothing? No official finisher? No brick? But on I walked to the fire trail and up I went. And when I reached the top I took in water and thought, screw it, let’s run. Like a possessed man I took off down the mountain trail. Out to the road I ran, stomach be damned. I switched my watch to view the time of day. Counting down now to 5:00. I ran hard, determined to be a finisher. I cruised right up the little hills on State Park Rd.
Down Meadow Mountain Lane I ran, trying to calculate distance left and remaining time. Out on to the boat launch area and I saw Donnie K. ahead. And now I knew that I’d make it and I’m so relieved. Off the trail to the finishing chute and slapping hands with MMTC members that long ago finished their own race. But I too would be an official finisher for the 3rd, and maybe final, time. We’ll see.
Finish Time 8:03:47 (43/48) – wow, that was a long day.
Special thanks go to: the wife and boys for their patience and understanding; MMTC folks, especially Donnie, Bob, Jellyfish, Laurie, Mike, Alan and whomever I just forgot, for the great training; Gary for the wonderful hospitality (best burger ever!); and all of those who donated to the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation.
My thoughts, after more than a week:
- I’m very happy to have finished and earned a 3rd brick given my illness the week prior but I’m also disappointed. I really felt prepared and wanted to see how well I could do despite the fact that I view SavageMan as an event and not a race.
- I don’t know if I’ll do it next year. I have other goals but if race management makes some type of offer to 3-time brick winners, I may be forced to return.