SavageMan Triathlon

Sunday I participated in the 1st SavageMan Triathlon in the Aquavelo division…it was the most miserable as well as awesome bike course I have yet to experience. Usually my thinking the worst about something before it happens makes the experience somehow seem less tough…however, this was NOT the case…it was as challenging as I made it out to be in my head prior to actually doing it…

***RESULTS***

swim – 27:54, 1st female
T1 – 6:14
bike – 3:35:57, 6th female
6.5M 1730' CLIMB "THE WALL" - 43:08, 9.04mph, 40/160 overall, 4th female
total – 4:10:05, 2nd female Aquavelo

***PRE-RACE***

The pre-race festivities began upon arrival Friday afternoon. Shortly headed over to the log cabin where the Clarks were staying and immediately started boozing (but of course). They then made us dinner and continued to give us wine. Shawn entertained us with his guitar, singing songs about who knows what…but it was great as usual. Next it was off to Kyle’s for packet stuffing and race preparations. The night then finished with sitting in the hot tub back at Carmel Cove with a bunch of CATS.

Saturday morning started off with a preview swim. It was maybe 50 degrees outside and the water temperature was about 70 degrees…steam was coming up from the water. UGHH this was a bit cooler than I was expecting, making me a bit nervous for race day (I hate being cold). Julie O and I headed down to the water early. I love swimming with her. We are about the same pace and breathe to opposite sides so we can easily follow each other. I was ok with the temparature once I started swimming and felt really good. We swam out awhile and back and were then met by a bunch of RATS and CATS. I then went out again with the group. Then I got cold and decided that was enough swimming for me. RATS and CATS then gathered at one of the houses for a yummy breakfast prepared by Chas. Next it was time for the preview ride. We all geared up and headed out. Geoff Beaty led us on the SavageMan Olympic course. After about 8 miles I decided I had better turn back and start resting up. Ran into Chas on the way back and we went for the pre-race meeting, packet pick-up, and bike inspection. Cripes I was getting exhausted. Finally made it back to the house to find a a disgruntled Ken and Julie who were in need of a hammer/staple gun to hang signs on the bike course. Once they got the goods we all headed out to hang signs and drive the bike course. Alright now I was nervous…we came to the start of Westernport Wall…looking up from the bottom you just see an everlasting hill through the town with a very steep cobblestone section at one part maybe ¼ mile up. People would be given awards for going up this part...I could barely walk up it. I was exhausted…too much pre-race day activity. I was bonking and ready for a nap. We pressed on with our sign hanging and finally made it back to the houses in time to leave for the social at the Shaw’s house. The social was a good time, but I had really started to get nervous/scared after driving the bike course, being freezing all day, and knowing the air temperature would be in the high 30’s the next morning. My transition was going to be slow as I put on most of the clothes I had brought as well as clothes from others. Case gave me some wool arm warmers and Reid gave me some booties, which Norm helped me cut holes in and fit to my bike shoes (thanks for everything guys!). After getting everything ready, I was finally in bed by 10pm. I did not sleep well at all…my head was racing…I could not stop thinking about the Wall…

Then next morning we packed up and were headed to the transition area by 7am. After setting up T1 and getting body marked (I told Suzanne, who was marking me, it was not really necessary because no bare skin was planning to be exposed throughout the race…but I guess it was mandatory) it was time to go. I was SO cold….ughh I was not too happy.

***RACE***

SWIM – I was in the 1st wave along with the Clydes, Relays, and Elites. We were herded into the water between the docks. The fog was so thick I could not even see where the 1st buoy was. The horn sounded and we were off from a floating start. I did not see what direction we were swimming towards so I followed the group. For awhile everyone was swimming in a pack and it was hard to get into any sortof rhythm…then a few others and I broke out of it. I could see a few in front of me and someone just beside me…it was Randy! I tried to keep with him…he was too fast. Shoot…I needed to keep with someone because I had no idea what was going on. Then I noticed Dave Cascio (with a bright green cap…our wave had mixed color caps due to the different divisions) was swimming on the other side of me…he is a strong swimmer and I would try and keep with him. I managed to stay with him. HAHA I had no idea where we were going…I was totally trusting his sense of direction here. Then people were swimming at us and across us. WHOA WHAT is going on?! I dove under a few swimming straight at me. It was like a bad dream. I managed to stay with the bright green cap. When would this end?! Then I saw some poles and the docks a bit away…we were at the end!

T1 – I ran out of the water and out towards transition. It was a bit of a run to transition and my feet froze along the way and were really stinging. The adrenaline was keeping my body warm and I went without the booties after all that hard work. “GO LUNA CHIX”, I heard someone yell as I was off on my bike. ☺

BIKE – Off on Luna Bananas. Hmmm it was chilly…but the wool arm warmers were going to keep me warm I hoped. The first 30 minutes were pretty uneventful. Then the frightening downhills started. WARNING SLOW yellow signs were everywhere. Then next 30 minutes I have never been so cold on my bike. I continuously blew into my hands and wiggles my toes to keep them from being numb and stinging. I started to get nervous to come up into Westernport. Mile 20 - I came upon the paper mill, a LARGE factory right before you come to Westernport. I felt like I was riding my bike inside. The paper mill and the mountains made me feel so small and I could barely see the sky. It was menacing. I rode into the town and decided I was officially crazy. Who does this?! Anyways, I made the left and there it was…the beginning of Westernport Wall. BEEP! My hands and feet were still numb. Get over it…I went over the timing pad (we were being timed for the next 7 miles of climbing). I came to the base of the steep section with 0 momentum after an already steep climb. I saw a couple guys go down on it right in front of me. Ken ran down, “Are you going to do it?!....Come on ramp up for it down this side street!” SHOOT…people were screaming, whistling, and bells were sounding…it was a riot and making me more nervous. “I CAN’T…I am gonna go around…UGHHH.” Ken said, “smart decision, you don’t know what you are up for.” Oh Great. He told me I was 3rd female! I had not been passed by too many and was feeling pretty good. I went on for the serious climbing. Someone was playing Spooktronica…that was some good stuff. Every mile and % grade of the climb was marked…somewhat torturous. I passed some people over the next few miles of the climb. Toward the end of the 7 mile climb I felt good but better be careful of quickly losing energy and ate a Think Bar. I had been good about doing 1 gel/hour (my usual race plan along with Gatorade and bars when I start to get real hungry). I had skipped the Gatorade this time, with it being so cold I figured gels and water would be easier. Mile 27 – some more frightening descents. I started to get cold again. Then up to about Mile 35 it was sole riding on what seemed to be some serious false flats. Mile 35 – RATS rest stop and back to climbing. Keith, Kurtis and some other RATS were there. Keith yelled and motivated me all the way up the hill going from this rest stop. My legs were getting tired…this hill HURT. Mile 40 – only 16 more! I tried to give it all I had left (Make it hurt or what is the point?!). Fireball time. I start to feel nauseas sometimes after the gels and fireballs are usually the answer. Somewhere in the next 10 miles came a few more climbs along with a hill that was almost a "get of your bike and walk" type of hill. I somehow made it to the top. Mile 50 – steep descent and left turn. Almost home! I then began to recognize where we were from the preview ride. Nothing challenging was left to come. I was home free and pushed it hard to get home. And finally I was at the finish. That was ABSOLUTELY ridiculous!

***POSTRACE***

I felt delerious the rest of the day. I went and hung by the finish to watch people finish. Everyone did so well. What an accomplishment and awesome weekend.

***NEXT YEAR***

I hope to be ready for the whole half. And now that I know what I am up for I will attempt The Wall…



***THE WALL***



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