To be honest, I really didn’t know what to expect from myself at this inaugural event. Just the name of the race sort of scared me at first. Without going into a lot of detail, this course is absolutely amazing and challenging to say the least. The scenic setting of Deep Creek Lake and the surrounding area is beautiful.
Leading up to the race, I had fully convinced myself that a road bike was the way to go. In hindsight, I definitely think my tri-bike would be the better choice next time…did I just say next time??? I think my decision was based too much on the 3 days of riding a group of us did about a month prior. It always seemed like we were climbing. I had forgotten how much of an advantage I would have had being aero on my time trial bike throughout the first 18 or so miles and last 8-10 miles. I did have a buddy that loaned me his Specialized Tarmac road bike just for this race. Thanks again, Patrick! It was a tad small for me so I had a hard time adjusting to it and feeling comfortable on the descents, but it sure made climbing a lot better than my steel road bike. I also didn’t realize until Saturday that the speedometer/odometer was dismantled from the bike, so I was going to have to race just on feel with no concern for speed.
It was also at that point I decided not to wear my Heart Rate Monitor. I didn’t really want to be too concerned about my Heart Rate because I knew it would spike all over the place. I didn’t want to get psyched out by my effort. As they say, it would be a race based solely on perceived exertion. My only real goal was to finish sub 6 hours; which I thought was very doable, but I really had no idea. I also wanted to redeem some confidence I had lost last weekend during the Annapolis triathlon where I had mentally cracked during the run and lost 4-5 minutes from my goal time.
On to the Savage race…
There was a definite chill in the air as the temperature early in the morning was in the low 40’s. Fog filled the air and lowered visibility to around 50-75 yards. There was a bass fishing tournament starting before the race and it looked pretty cool to see all the boats sitting out in the fog laden water by the boat ramp. I was still unsure what exactly to wear in order to stay somewhat warm without overdoing it so I asked Ted & Sean what they were doing. The consensus seemed to be; put on a dry jersey, throw on a light vest with some gloves and arm warmers with a light beanie cap under my helmet. This worked perfectly since I could pull the arm warmers down on the climbs as I heated up and I didn’t need to stop to drop anything. Oddly, I did see some competitors dressed as if they were going on a mid-winter ride. It appeared a little excessive.
Foggy Swim:
This was going to be interesting. Since the fog had limited visibility, sighting the buoys was just about impossible unless you were about 50 yards away. Thankfully, the shoreline was visible so I knew if I could keep it in sight I would eventually hit the turnaround buoy. In reality though, once the gun went off I got into a pack of what seemed like 10-15 swimmers and just decided to follow some feet hoping the leaders were sighting well. Before I knew it, we were at the turnaround buoy and heading back. This is where the pack started to break apart and I was left to my own devices for sighting. It wasn’t that bad. It was so unique that it was pretty cool. Once I saw the dock, I knew there was a last turn buoy about 50 yards directly out from it, so I made a bee-line for it and worked my way to the boat dock. As I jogged up the hill to transition I ran into Ted & Sean changing. I think everyone was a little bewildered by just how long it took to get everything on. It definitely was unusual to have a few more items to deal with.
Bring the pain…err bike.
This was the marquee stage of the race. I think there’s a pretty firm consensus that this would be one of if not the most difficult 56 miles in all of triathlon. With a solid mix of climbing with sharp elevation gains and technical winding descents, this was purely a course designed to separate the field. It was me against the Savage. Mano e Mano.
My legs were feeling good the first five miles which is always a nice omen. During the long descent to Westernport, my legs got pretty chilled so I tried to get out of the saddle as much as I could to keep the blood flowing. I pulled over during the descent for a brief nature break because I knew at mile 19 the climbing was coming.
How you doing Westernport! This small town turned out in droves to witness what has been dubbed the start of “The Westernport Wall”; a short, riveting climb up through the center of town climaxing with a 25% grade pitch that has long been closed off to traffic since it is so steep. But the town only serves as the start of the “The Wall” since you keep climbing for about 7 miles afterward until you are over Big Savage Mountain. As Kyle said at the race briefing, “You would have thought the Olympics were coming to town.” I overheard someone say that the local Church service was suspended so the town folk could come support the racers. How cool is that! It’s so rare to find a community that actually supports Triathlons. Usually everyone bitches and moans to the local gov’t that they got stuck in traffic for 15 minutes one Sunday morning on their way to the grocery store a half mile away. Yet, they didn’t bother reading the signage that was posted the week prior telling them there was a race coming up and to avoid the route. Sorry, off on a tangent there. Back to the good stuff.Here's some random footage Igda took before our camera died:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCDOXFiQWOI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9h91H-N-lEY
This is too funny. Check out the guy falling over the basset hound:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqIjuyHOveI
Now I for one was going to do my best not to disappoint. There were two fellow racers slightly in front of me, so I started to climb rather timid trying to create some separation and let them either get up the climb or allow enough time for them to fall and get out of my way. Both riders unclipped about ¼ of the way up, so I slowed even more to let them move from the right side where I was planning to go full steam ahead. As soon as they moved, I gave it everything I had. I put my head down and grinded away. Fifteen seconds later I was elated to be at the top and still on my bike. Hooray! It is sort of funny, I don’t remember recognizing anyone, but I heard people shouting my name up the climb. I even remember hearing Igda’s voice say, “Go, Pete! Go, Pete!” I just had to block everything out and focus on turning over the pedals. Igda later ask me if I saw Laura B. running next to me. I told her, no. I didn’t remember seeing her. I guess I was in la la land.
After that, I just got into a rhythm and started cranking away. Maybe it was the training from a month earlier, but I never felt like I was overly exerting myself. Somewhere about ¾ of the way up Big Savage Mountain I crept up on Haig and we had a nice little chat for a bit. This is where I think starting in the last wave paid off. When I saw a rider out in the distance, I would just focus on reeling them in. It kept me motivated and focused on the here and now.As the bike course wound on, I just kept repeating to myself, “here and now”. Stay in the moment. If my mind started to wonder about how much farther I had left or I began to think about how the hell am I’m going run 13.1 miles after this, I went back to “here and now” and just focused on turning the pedals. It started to get pretty lonely out there for the last 15 miles. I don’t think I saw but 1 other rider during this stint. My nutrition plan appeared to be spot on. I’d prepared a 900 calorie bottle mixed with Carbo-Pro and Powerbar endurance drink that I planned to work my through during the ride, supplemented by a few gels and 2-3 endurolytes/hr with generous amounts of water. I avoided any stomach issues and seemed to have a good even level of energy throughout the ride.
I cruised into transition where a pretty nice crowd had gathered to cheer everyone on. I ran to my rack and started to change. Note to self: when you have bundled up for the ride it would help if you started to undress a bit before transition. It seemed to take me forever to get my gloves, arm-warmers and vest off. It took me about 30 seconds to realize it would all be a little easier if I took my freakin’ gloves off first. It was nice to get some words of encouragement from Chas as I was changing. Thanks, Chas!
Oh, there’s a RUN?!
I immediately darted to the porto-john, which was a good sign which meant I’d taken in adequate fluids.
Now as much as this race was touted for its bike segment, the run was no picnic either. I hadn’t previewed the run course and to be frank, I didn’t really want to know how hard it was going to be. I was just going to gut it out. It was slightly down hill for the first mile which appeared to loosen up my legs and I was feeling rather good. What a tease it would prove to be. Thankfully, a young lady had just started her run as part of a relay, so I figured I would use her as my rabbit. If I could stay with a pair of fresh legs, I knew I would be doing well. I did have time to give Igda a quick kiss before I made my way out into the jungle.Okay, what the hell is going on here? As I diligently stay about 20 yards behind my rabbit the course starts winding its way UP through the campground a little after the first mile. It doesn’t really look all that steep, but it’s getting noticeably harder. Once we get through the campground, we hit the rock/boulder laden trail where it’s not too bad, but then somewhere I think around the 2.5 mile mark it makes a massive turn skyward. I remember thinking, “Oh, Christ. How long does this last?” I felt like I was taking baby steps as I rambled my way at what seemed like a pace I could walk faster at. I just kept repeating “here and now” and focused on not letting my rabbit go. This carried on for about a mile and half until I finally reached the aide station at the top of hill by the fire tower. Yippee!
Now from what I recalled before the race, the course then heads downhill for a couple of miles down a fire road. I thought to myself, “Cool. Just let your legs go.” But wait, I was suddenly hit by what felt like a bolt of lightening in the back of my left leg. After two good long strides, my left hamstring completed cramped into a knot. Crap! What the heck!? I rarely cramp, so this was a little new. I stopped and tried to stretch it out, but it seemed to make the cramp worse. I was determined not to let this stop me. I started to walk and gently started to get back to running. As my strides gradually got longer, the cramp thankfully evaporated. Now I started popping more endurolytes like an addict and taking as much water as I could stomach at the aide stations. Somehow I even managed to catch up with my rabbit by the bottom of the hill. I kept her in sight as I went through the halfway point which is also the finish line after the second loop.
I did get a little chuckle as I was passing by the finish line and noticed Bart waving at me and pointed to the finishing shoot. I have to admit, I was a little dazed and confused. As I got closer to him, he realized I was not who he thought I was. See, I happened to be wearing my Principal Fitness race jersey which Flanagan was also wearing during the bike. For an instance, he thought I was Michael. Michael, it was good to be you even if it was only for a few fleeting seconds. Killer race by the way!I gave Igda one more quick, salty kiss as I rolled by. One more tortuous loop to do! Again, I just kept repeating “here and now” to myself. As the next round of climbing began, I also added, “Don’t stop!” Somewhere along the line I lost my rabbit, but fortunately there were more bodies out on the course so I would just set a target and try to reel them in. I got a nice little boost of encouragement at the TriCat aide Station at around mile 2…thanks everyone! And then the run “wall” smacked me upside the head as I made my way up to the fire tower. I just kept repeating, “Don’t Stop” as I precariously clawed my way up the hill passing a number of racers walking. I tried to mutter some encouragement as I passed, but my heart rate was going through the roof and my legs were dangerously close to giving out. Low and behold I made it to the fire tower where I then could start to smell the finish line as I let my legs go. I nearly tripped and face planted down the gravel path but ungraciously I saved myself the disaster. I managed to catch a fella that was keeping a pretty good pace so I decided to hang about 15 yards behind him for the duration. I wasn’t sure if it was his second loop or not, but at that point I didn’t care if I finished one more place down, although wouldn’t you know it, I did check his calf for his Age Group marking. He was one group younger, so I wasn’t worried.
Those last couple hills before you hit the steep downhill into the park were a killer. I came around the final bend and made my dash to the finish line. Hallelujah! I grabbed the young volunteer’s shoulder and silently just stood there reflecting on what I had just accomplished. It was by far the hardest 13.1 mile run I’d completed as well. I then went over to Kyle and called him a murderer before collapsing on the grass…well I didn’t really but the thought did cross my mind.
Finish Time: 5:57:27. I hit my sub 6 goal and I mentally didn’t crack during the run. I’m a happy camper! Just too darn bad I just happen to have two insanely fast friends, Ted and Sean, in my Age Group who both had great performances or I would have made my AG podium. Well, I guess it’s always good to have a dream.
Conclusion:
It’s really hard to describe my precise feelings for this utterly challenging race. I think the timing of the race falling at the end of the racing calendar is very fitting. It has left me feeling deeply satisfied with my overall race performances this year and longing to develop a plan for improvement in the off season. I’ve met a lot of great people throughout the year, many of whom have pushed me farther than I thought I could go. For that, I am grateful.
Real accolades need to go Kyle Yost, David Glover, Greg Safko & the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation’s Board of Directors for managing to put on such an incredible event. It was by far one of the most organized and enjoyable races I’ve ever participated in. The enormous challenge for garnering approval and support from all the various organizations is no small feat and all the more impressive as it were executed.
The volunteers, from the local support crews, Tri-clubs, numerous Team Z’ers, Police departments, Deep Creek Park personnel, Garret County government officials and spectators were remarkable. It’s hard to imagine it getting better in the future, but I look forward to seeing it happen. I forgot to mention the Pre-Race “Champion” dinner was very enjoyable as well and I would encourage future participants to plan on attending it.
It was also rewarding for me to assist in the fundraising effort for the foundation. As I had the pleasure to meet just about everyone on the Board at the “Champion” dinner, I was really impressed with the organization as a whole and its commitment to raising awareness and aiding in the research to find a cure for melanoma. I’d also like to thank my family and friends that generously contributed toward my fundraising goals.
I’m off to go put my “This Triathlete has climbed Big Savage Mountain” bumper sticker on my car so everyone tailgating me from here on out will know just how Savage I am.
Signed,
One very sore, happy Savageman!
