Savageman Race Report 2010

Savageman is a stupid race.  A stupid, hard race.  A stupid, hard, fun race.  And I love it!  This year was no exception.  For those of you unfamiliar with this race, it is billed as the "hardest half ironman on the planet" (http://savagemantri.org/TriathleteMag_100BestRaces.pdf)  Some even compare the difficulty to an ironman, particularly the bike section that takes you up and down the mountains of western Maryland. (http://savagemantri.org/)  For much of the race you feel as though you are going either 4 miles an hour or 40 miles an hour - and not much in between. 
The quick summary:

Total time: 7:36:44 (scary I know, but it was a PR!)

Westernport Wall:  Third Brick Baby!

2nd in AG (okay there were only 4 of us – but it was a good day!)

The weather for the race was perfect.  If anything, the warmer temps caught some off guard.  In past years, if you failed to wear appropriate outer clothing you would surely freeze during the long descent out of Deep Creek into Westernport.   This year I was overdressed with just arm warmers.  And the air was dry, nearly no humidity - so I never really felt like I was sweating.  I had to be very, very deliberate about hydrating during this race.

Several weeks before Savageman I strained my right hamstring during a long training run.  In the days leading up to the race, I came up with several race strategies - from not doing the race at all to doing an aqua-velo. And under no circumstances would I do Westernport Wall.  I already had two Bricks and I was not going to risk further injury (http://thoughtiknewthen.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html. - last year's rr)

View from the top of the Wall - 31% grade.

The Wall during 2010 race day mayhem.

While I could feel the hamstring biking up hills, it was only when I ran that it really hurt.  I did not run for a week and half before the race and I only did easy, flat rides.  Not the best confidence booster going into the race.  The strategy I ultimately settled on included swimming my normal race, taking the bike section easy, staying seated at all times – and not get discouraged by the number of people passing me.  Run the flats and down hills and power walk the up hills.  I also knew I needed to stay hydrated and fueled – which is surprisingly hard for me to maintain.

Above all else, I had to finish the race to earn the Finishers Shirt.   The shirt is not one most women would wear, including me.  But my kids love them.  The first year it did this race I gave the shirt to my oldest and last year my middle son got the shirt.  So as I left for the race this year, my youngest made it clear that it was his turn.  I did not dare return without a shirt! 

With few exceptions, I followed my strategy to a tee and it paid off.  The one big exception was at the Wall.  As I approached the Wall I had a downright argument with myself.  I had the devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other.  Would I be stupid or smart?  Was it worth the risk to blow my hamstring?  With little training, I probably didn’t have the strength to make it to the top regardless.  But as reached the bottom of the Wall, I took a deep breath and up I went.  Not the prettiest of climbs – as a matter of fact, it was down right ugly.  But I did it.  And I was glad I did.  

I cramped on Killer Miller, but not nearly as bad as I did last year and I cramped on the run only when I tried to run the up hills.  It was clear that I had favored my right leg during the bike because all the cramping was in my left leg.  I only had to stop twice on the run – far less than last year.  In the end it was the run and the fact that I did not cramp as badly as I did in past years that led me to a PR.  Go figure - a strategy based on an injury results in a PR.  

And have I mentioned the volunteers, the spectators and the other racers?  Seriously, I don't think you will find a better group at any other race! 

Will I do the race again next year….  Of course I will!  Want to join me?