Savageman (2)

Triathlon Forum
1

Never participating in this race nor knowing anyone who has, would it be wise to attempt this race if I have an Olympic Duathlon the week before? Just trying to get an idea of how savage the savage man is. Thanks

2

If you are in shape and have done oly’s before and know they are not a great challenge it will be no problem. Edit: that is to say it will not be any MORE of a problem that doing Savageman would be, in general =)

Here is what Savageman was like for me, I had only 7 weeks to prepare due to a car collision leading up to it. Did an olympic ~2 weeks before:

http://austintriathlonstore.blogspot.com/2011/09/2011-savageman-triathlon-americas.html

3

I’ve done it several times, and twice done the Savage Double (Oly saturday, Half Sunday).

The half is VERY savage. The bike course is every bit as hilly as it is made out to be. Hard to tell if you will be ok or not, as your post doesn’t say much about your fitness, but the race is by far one of, if not the, best races out there. My only regret was not going in 2012.

4

Thanks, I will definitely give this a read through. I have always heard good things about the race.

5

I expect that my fitness should be there. The Olympic Duathlon was going to be my A-race this year. However, I’m considering shifting that focus to the Savageman and using it as a warm-up. I just realize I am a mere mortal and wanted to make sure I was not biting off more than I could chew…and I really want to avoid doing a faceplant on the “wall”.

6

Out of curiosity, do you remember your power numbers going up the wall?

7

The wall is about 50% fitness/power, 40% bike handling and picking the proper line and about 10% luck.

In 2010 I had a sub 3 hr bike split, finished something like 4th or 5th amateur overall (after doing the Oly on Saturday), had climbed the wall a half dozen times in training with no issues and made it up the wall in 2009 with a bike that would not stay in gear and rear wheel rubbing the brake.

This is me, however, on my way up the wall in 2010…
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s39/kkocan/wallsequence.jpg

8

Out of curiosity, do you remember your power numbers going up the wall?

There is a link to the power file in the blog post:
http://www.slip-angle.com/savageman/Mott_Jack_2011_Savageman.wko

I’ve got the wall marked as an interval in there.

Peak of ~700 watts, average of around 600 for 20 seconds, at ~175lbs bodyweight.

It is mostly a question of gearing, steering and balance rather than power though.

Go straight up, time it so nobody is around. Don’t hit the cracks, don’t try to traverse. Do not stop go, do not collect $200

9

That race report was great. Not sure if it makes me more excited or scared. Definately would be an experience and accomplishment.