The Savage Fight Against Cancer + General Smallwood International Triathlon

The days following my previous post have been challenging and long.  On the day of my last post, I found out that one of my friends who had cancer, Greg, had been admitted into the hospital in Richmond and it didn't look good.  He was diagnosed with cancer last October and was supposed to be in remission.  So the news of him being in the hospital caught me off guard.  The next day, I drove down to Richmond to see Greg and bid him what I didn't know at the time would be a final good-bye.  The next day, he lost his battle with cancer.  The emotions I felt throughout that week were a roller coaster.  Sometimes I felt sad, more often that not I felt angry and sometimes I just felt numb.  Sometimes I felt strong and sometimes I just broke down.  My triathlon training remained constant throughout the week and provided me with time to reminisce about memories, work through my emotions and just be alone.  While Greg was fighting his battle with cancer, I continued to fight a battle with my training.  As the weekend approached, my training seized for 4 days as friends flew into town to celebrate Greg's life.  We told stories, laughed, cried and shared brews.  We all traveled down to Richmond for the memorial service and to celebrate the life of our friend who was taken far to young.  The positive impact he made on so many people will not go unnoticed or be forgotten.

Money raised from the Savage Man Triathlon actually supports melanoma prevention, detection, care and cure.  The race's tagline is "a savage race to fight a savage cancer."  While Greg died of lung cancer, I'm glad the race I'm participating in is benefiting those with cancer.  Greg's death was my first experience with cancer.  I realized it's something you can't understand until you experience it; the feelings associated with losing a loved one to cancer are surreal.  The Savage Man Triathlon benefits the Skin the Game Foundation; you can make a donation here: http://www.melanomaresource.org/index.php/site/content/skin-in-the-game/.

After taking 4 days off from training, I squeezed 2 more days of training in before the General Smallwood International Triathlon which I completed this past Saturday.  The race was held at Smallwood State Park and consisted of a 0.9 mile swim, 24 mile bike and 6.2 mile run.  The week leading up to the race, I was nervous as my training had a short lapse and my mind had been distracted.  On Friday evening, I drove to Smallwood State Park to pick up my race packet and check out the race site.  For some reason, I didn't feel nervous anymore; I could do this.  On the way home, I bought tri shorts and a tri tank top which I knew was a "rookie mistake."  But with a water temp of 82 degrees, there was no need for a wet suit and I didn't know what to wear.  So I bought the tri outfit and quickly tested it with a 200m swim, 3 minute bike and 3 mile run.  It seemed to work.  So I headed home to pack my bag for the race.

Race morning came early with a 3:45 AM alarm clock.  I need to be at the race site by 5:45 AM.  Thankfully one of my friends, Natalie, met me at my apartment and headed out to the race site with me and was a great support.  Once there, I selected a premier location to rack my bike on the edge of my assigned row and laid out all my equipment.  Next I got my race chip, got my race number marked on my arms and had a light snack.  I was feeling good.  When we head down to the water about 10 minutes prior to the race start, I felt butterflies in my stomach.  I was surprised that I had suppressed them for so long.

The swim start was in the water.  The first wave began at 7 AM; I was in the second wave which began at 7:05 AM.  After the first wave took off, my wave got in the water.  I however chose to sit on the dock and wait until about 2 minutes before my wave would take off.  Why waste energy treading water?  I stayed to the outside edge and back of my wave.  I know that I am not a strong swimmer so I'd rather let the hardcore swimmers do their thing so I don't get kicked in the face.  The swim was mentally challenging for me.  While I have spent more time in the pool and improved my stroke, I had done nothing to improve my sighting.  This greatly hindered me.  Between my inability to effectively sight, my foggy goggles and the early morning blinding rays of sun, I got off course and as a result extended my swim distance.  I was frustrated by my inability to properly sight.  I had fears that I would not swim fast enough and would exceed the cut-off time and not be able to continue.  Well I finished the swim in 50 minutes, probably 20 minutes longer than it should have taken.  When my feet hit the boat ramp I was happy to be on land and happy that my worst leg was over.  Time for the bike.


I ran to the transition area, threw on my biking shoes and helmet, grabbed my bike and was ready to hit the pavement.  I felt good on my bike.  The bike course consisted of rolling hills.  I felt strong and kept a good pace throughout.  I embraced the hill climbs.  As I came into the transition area to get ready for the run, I felt good and was looking forward to the run-my favorite leg.



I had a strong pace as I ran out of the transition area.  However I quickly felt deflated.  The start of the run was in exposed sunlight on an extremely hot day and was a hill climb.  For a mile, I began to doubt the run.  Would I have to walk part of it?  It was so hot.  This was supposed to be my strongest leg.  As I reached the top of the hill, there was an aid station with ice water to drink and wet towels that were soaking in ice buckets.  As I drank the water and put a cold towel around my neck, my body went into shock.  It felt similar to jumping into an ice cold body of water when it takes your breath away.  But at the same time, I felt relief.  After the aid station, the run became a trail run and I hit my stride.  I love trail running; I felt at home.  I was able to take off and enjoy the remainder of the loop.  The run was a 3.1 mile loop that you had to do twice.  Originally I thought this would be mentally challenging but it wasn't.  The second time around, I knew I had to make it through the sun exposed hill climbs and then I'd be rewarded with a refreshing aid station and the joy and shade of the trail run.  Coming into the finish line, I ran hard and finished stronger.  My time was 3:24:22 which I was pretty happy with.  As I finished I received my medal, a bottle of water and an iced towel that again took my breath away.  As I left the finish line area to be greeted by Natalie, my emotions took over and for a minute I wanted to cry.  I was happy.  Proud.


Throughout the race, I identified growth opportunities.  I need to work on sighting, get more experience swimming in open water and add more hill climbs into my biking and running.  With growth opportunities identified, I'm ready for another triathlon.  I know I can do even better.  My plan is to get one more Olympic length triathlon in before the Savage Man.  I'm currently looking at the Culpepper International Triathlon the first week of August.  Practice makes perfect.