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By: Eric’s Aunt Jackie (spectator)
A few years ago, an event originated in Western MD claiming to be the most Savage of all triathlons. Eric’s Dad heard about it, and threw it out to Eric as a challenge. Personally, I think Tim was just toying with his son as he often did… giving him an epic goal Tim most likely doubted Eric could pull off. Sort of like when Tim told Bobby in junior high that you could catch squirrels by putting salt on their tails, and sent Bobby out to achieve that goal, yep… for real!
Luckily, Savageman had a better outcome than squirrel-salting. Eric pulled it off, alongside his Uncle Bobby, cousin Adam, and Adam’s friend Dan! It wasn’t necessarily the half-iron distance (1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run) that was Savage, but add 6800 feet of climbing on the bike, including a 30% grade on cobblestone at the Westernport Wall, relentless climbs to follow, and the little bonus run to the fire tower…and then “Savage” begins to take on meaning.
The Project 11 team would like to thank everyone who came out to participate in, and support this event. Thanks to Perrins, Polands, Grandma Jean, Trexlers, Welters’ and Rachel’s photography, and thanks to Adam’s Midwestern buddy Dan for joining the team and venturing to the Appalachian hills of Western MD.
Project 11 now reports 6 events down, and 5 to go! As a spectator, I have to say this event topped all others! It is a charity event for melanoma research, and was the perfect event to honor Tim, and his battle with melanoma at a location he truly loved. Our family spent many vacations at this lake, with Tim as our boating captain, ski coach, sailing coach, grill master, and lead prankster. We missed you Tim, but we know you were with us. Bobby reported an unusual pull through the water on the swim, where he normally struggles to propel himself.
The morning was crisp and clear, unlike what Deep Creek can often dish out. No fog on the lake, sunny skies, and no wind. Mother Nature was in our camp!
Eric and Dan were first in the water in the 25-29 year old age group. Adam took off next with the 15-24 year olds, and then the old man of the group got started with the 40+ year olds! All 4 completed their swims in good times, with Eric exiting slightly ahead of Dan.
The support crew was already on their way from the swim start at Deep Creek down Backbone Mountain to be in place at “The Wall”. This leg was a time challenge for us, but with Eric’s Aunt Patty as co-pilot, we were able to report a time of 26 minutes en route. We don’t recommend this.
The wall action began and it was a rowdy crowd with pumping music. There were devil-dressed and pitchfork-carrying wall “coaches”, and cow-bell ringing fans! We watched the first riders come up the wall with ease, but then, they began to fall. The devils pulled bikes off riders, scooped them off the course, and ran repeatedly up and down that wall assisting their next victims. They were more like angels.
Eric, Dan, and then Bobby came up without incident and will now get their very own bricks in the wall. As we waited for Adam, we each began to silently dabble with concern. But soon after, he appeared at the bottom of the wall pushing his bike. I have never seen Adam’s parents run so fast! We made our way down and learned he’d taken a fall on the descent, which bent his front wheel, rendering the bike “out of action”. Having grown up in Westernport, Adam was happy to report he’d been checked out by his hometown’s finest EMT’s and was just fine, albeit a little scratched up from the fence he took out. Adam’s brain-power took over. As his chain fell off, he began to wobble, and made a conscious decision to take the fence, rather than the injuries the road could have caused. Roger transported him back to transition to pace Eric and Dan on the run! Adam’s brick will be achieved in 2010!
Following the climb up the wall, the 3 others continued to climb, and climb, and climb. On one hill named “Killer Miller”, a devil approached Eric to say “Savagemen don’t wear argyle”. (see photo above) At the top of that hill, a sign was posted asking who is Miller and why does he hate me so much?
Back at Deep Creek, the run went smoothly. Eric lost his slight lead on Dan during the run, and Dan finished first of our team with Eric 11 minutes behind. Then we waited… for the old man… who arrived about 30 minutes later!
A post-race dinner was enjoyed by all, with a Savage dessert, and culminated with a lakeside fire complete with s’mores!
For more race information, check out our "PICTURES" tab on this site, and:
And remember to support the Project 11 effort by donating to cancer awareness and research through the Lance Armstrong Foundation. Click “Donate” from the Project 11 site to get to the Armstrong site where you can donate. With 6 events down, we are about 38% to our goal of raising $11,000.
Next event… Tim’s hometown Seagull Century in Salisbury, MD on October 10th! Rumor has it this will be the first –ever organized ride for some family members who may not want their names released in advance (just in case they change their minds).
Stay tuned! Marathons to follow through the holiday season!
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