Savageman Triathlon

This post is way overdue – but I never got around to it. But no perfect time than now…

The Savageman Half Triathlon and Olympic distance – happens in September every year and is considered one of the toughest triathlons in the world.

There are savage hills on the bike portion and on the run – and let me tell you, when you see these hills you just want to cry.

I’m proud to say that I was part of it this year (2010) although I only did the Olympic and I was on a relay. I dd the run portion, as running is my “strongest” leg, no pun intended. And let me tell you, it was the hardest running I’ve ever done. I’ve done plenty of races – but this one was brutal. It was all hills… rolling hills, and you think with a lot of up hills there would be downhills… not the case. It wasn’t an out and back course, it was one big loop filled with giant hills and small downhills. The most brutal part of the race was at the midpoint when you had to run up this rocky fire road. I generally never walk when running a race, however, I could just not run up this hill because really it didn’t feel like i was going anywhere. So I walked it… along with other racers who also took one good look at the hill and said f*** it, I’m walking. There were of course the hardcore triathletes who ran up it and seriously, more power to them – they were awesome, I however did not want to die when I got to the top of the hill.

Actually once that hill was over it was pretty smooth sailing and I finished the 10K portion in about an hour and 10 minutes  – not the best pace I’ve ever had – but considering that it was the hardest race course I’ve ever run with a ton of hills, I was pretty happy.

However – what made me sad was the fact that my relay team placed 4th among co-ed relay teams – because my swimmer and biker were beast triathletes that crushed their portion of the triathlon – and I was the slow runner – and we were 2 minutes away from placing third and getting some kind of prize… oh well, there’s is also next year.

However, I’m pretty sure that I won’t be doing the full course on my own this year, it is just too hard. Like I said earlier, it is one of the hardest triathlons in the world. Here is a link to the the Savageman Triathlon site. One reason I won’t be doing it anytime soon is because right now I generally do Sprint Triathlons which consist of a 750m swim, 20 mile bike and 5k… I want to gradually move up to an Olympic Distance which is a 1200m swim, 30 mile bike and 10k. It’ll be a while before I even attempt a half-ironman or full on ironman. But one day…

Why Do I Do Triathlons?

That answer to that question is complicated…

Sometimes I don’t know that answer. Why? Because really, competition scares me. I know that I’ll never win. Much less be in the top 100. But a lot of the time, people ask me why I do race – and I’ll say, it’s the motivation to workout. Or because I’m addicted to the adrenaline.

And – while those answers are both true – I also hate racing. I do. I actually am quite terrified of it. I get anxiety. I sometimes just want to go in the corner of some place and throw up.

But I do them. I first started out with running races – with 5Ks, 10Ks and then longer distances. I’d feel okay as I trained for them. Sometimes I would look forward to the races. And then the night before the race – I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I’d toss and turn all night thinking of all the ways I would fail. And then it’d be the morning of the race and I’d be filled with awful anxiety. But then I’d do the race – run it – and then I’d cross the finish line and I’d be happy. And then I’d say, I’m never doing it again. And then of course I did.

After running in countless races (without winning of course – which was never the point for me anyway) – I started thinking of other things I wanted to do.

And back in 2008 – I thought, how cool would it be if I could do a triathlon. Not that I could really swim (I knew how, but not long distance or properly), and neither have a ridden a bike for a long distance. So, I took the plunge. I signed up for swimming classes – so I knew how to actually swim properly. I got my bike out and started riding it for long distances. And I also continued to run.

And in May of 2009 – I competed in my first Sprint Triathlon – a 750m swim, 18 mile bike and a 5K. I finished in about 2 hours and 20 minutes. I had no idea what to expect. And of course leading up to the race – I was an emotional wreck. I kept asking myself what I was thinking. I was absolutely terrified. And then came the day of the race – it was a beautiful race and then I picked out a spot in the lake where I knew I was going to drown. But… I didn’t drown (obviously) – and I finished the race – in 2 hours and 20 minutes. And when I crossed the line – I was still an emotional wreck -and with my parents watching when I crossed the finish line – I cried like a baby. I couldn’t believe that I did it. This girl who a year previously didn’t really know how to swim – competed in and finished a triathlon.

I did the same triathlon again this year – and improved my time by 5 minutes. I didn’t cry as I crossed the finish line – but I was just as happy. And of course- I said I wouldn’t be doing another triathlon again.

That was in May – and right now – I’m signed up to do 4 triathlons the rest of the fall/winter. 4 TRIATHLONS!!!!

WHAT AM I THINKING????? Why do I like to torture myself?

Of the 4 triathlons I’m doing – 3 of them are relays. I’m not a strong swimmer – so for 3 of the triathlons – I’m only doing the bike and run portion. And then I’ll be doing an Olympic distance triathlon this October – which consists of a .9 mile swim, 24 mile bike and 10K run. And in November, I’m signed up to do a full Ironman triathlon relay – but I’m doing the bike leg – which is a 112 mile bike ride. Say what?

I’m all signed up for it – and I still have freak out sessions – a few times a week.

Again – why do I do triathlons?

And yesterday – part of that question was answered.

I was watching a special on the Kona Hawaii World Championship Ironman – which takes place every year. This special was highlighting the 2009 World Championship.

There’s sometime amazing about an Ironman. It consists of a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and then a full marathon (26.2 miles). And this World Championship takes place in Hawaii and is considered one of the most intense courses in the world – hence why the World Championship takes place there.

The special put a spotlight on the elite triathletes- who complete the course in record times – like 7 hours or so – which is so superhuman it is insane. I marvel at their stamina and endurance.

But what really caught my eye – were not the elite athletes- but the everyday people – who put themselves through the training so they can take part in this world class event.

One was a young man – born with a birth defect where he eventually had to amputate his legs. He was competing in the Ironman -and he didn’t even have legs! He wasn’t able to complete the race – because he missed the bike cutoff time by 5 minutes. But he is still a hero in my eyes.

Another was a woman – 56 years old – when 2 years ago – she suffered a stroke and she had to relearn how to walk. And there she was – competing in one of hardest races in the world. And she finished.

Another was a man – 79 years old – who had been doing the Hawaii Ironman for 19 years – and he finished as well.

And as they showed people crossing the finish line – it showed their hard work, their happiness – and how they gave everything of themselves to compete in the race.

Not everyone who started the race was able to finish – but you know what – they still did it. They put in the blood, sweat and tears to just ATTEMPT the race. And regardless of whether they came in first, last or didn’t finish – they did so much more than anyone else could do.

And so, why do I do triathlons? Because I can. Because I’m so lucky to have the advantage of being young, having 2 legs to walk on – and the ability to swim, bike and run. So, why not?

Am I going to set records? No. But I have the personal satisfaction that I can say, “I am a triathlete.”

There are approximately 130,000 registered triathletes in the United States, according to the USA Triathlon organization. And I am one of them.

I will always be terrified when I sign up for a race. I will always be an emotional wreck before the race and probably during the race and even after the race. But I can do it. And I know that a huge part of me is addicted to the high that I feel when I cross the finish line.

Why do I do triathlons – like I tell a lot of people – because I’m partly crazy. Or maybe certifiably insane.