Well, it is Monday morning…I think I am stuck in some delirium that feels like a cross between being on some powerful drugs, and jetlag!

I thought I would put my experience on paper for those of you who are interested….

Friday, of course in true Natalie fashion ended up being a day of crazy running around with work and trying to get things organized to leave town Friday night. Going to the grocery store for this event was certainly interesting…basically I just went up and down the aisles, and anything that looked yummy and easy to eat was put in my cart (trolley in Australia)…chips, cookies, poptarts, turkey, cheese, bread, peanut butter, Gatorade, soup, Top Raman (Two Minute Noodles in Australia), just skims the top of the list..

By approximately 6pm, Tim (teammate and also riding solo) and I were packed and headed out of Denver on Friday night on route to Gunnison. We stopped along the way to grab some dinner…I think I ate half a chicken,---- very bizarre to actually order what you want and not worry how it will effect ones ‘girlish figure’. We made it to Gunnison with no major issues, checked in and went to bed, everything pretty much to plan.

I am happy to report I got 9 hours of sleep on Friday night, and my goal was 8, so the day started out well. We got to race base, got our numbers, started to set up tents etc so everything could be as smooth as possible in our transitions.

The race started at Noon on Saturday! All our bikes were lined up near the start line, but we had to run around a little pond (probably about 1/4 a mile) before we actually started on a bikes. It was quite a site to see and hear the clicking of everyone’s cleats as we ran around holding on to the back of our jersey’s so our gear wouldn’t fall out.

I felt great the first lap, and actually turned in the fasted time for solo women with out really trying, so I was in a pretty positive state of mind. I kept my eye on my heart rate which stayed at about 170 the first two laps which was quite concerning for me because I knew I physically couldn’t keep that up. But at the same time I really felt like I was cruising along pretty steady and not pushing hard. After the first lap I stopped at our camp site for probably about five minutes, downed a Gatorade, filled up my water bottle with more protein drink, grabbed a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for the road and was on my way again.

Second lap was equally good, and I was starting to think that I really would do well….I mean who wouldn’t, I am almost 3 hours into a 24 hour race, and I am leading…I practically had it locked up….(clearly my altered mental state set in early only).

Third…was not good…it was really hot, and it started to hit me that I had a long way to go. I spent too long in camp site before I headed out, and as I was heading in on the home stretch I saw two girls heading out (so my commanding, solid lead had just slipped from my fingers!)….then certainly didn’t help my mental state.

After the third lap I just sat in camp for a while Pam and Tracy (friends who had come to visit), talked to me and tried to encourage me to eat. Speaking of eating….those of you who know me well would say I certainly don’t have a problem eating, but I just didn’t feel like eating anything (nor did I have the energy)…there are people standing around telling you you have to eat (and I knew I did too, but it was really hard)…for those of you who have been in hospital, and the nurses hold eating over your head like it is the power of god…’Natalie, before we will let you go to the toilet by your self, you need to at least eat your jelly, and your green beans’,…’Natalie, before the Doctor will come see you to let you go home, you need to finish your lunch’….anyway…pretty good comparison,…you trying to put stuff in your mouth, but it just doesn’t want to go down and doesn’t taste good.

I was having trouble catching my breath when I was sitting the chair between laps, and I am not really sure why…maybe anxiety, maybe the altitude, but it certainly didn’t help when trying to eat.

As the night wore on, I found that I could eat noodles, and soup, and meal replacement drinks, gatoraide and chocolate milk were my true sources of calories. I did discover that Fig Newtons and Chocolate are a wonderful combination (especially when you shove them in your hand (dirty glove), and clutch them for a while before you put it in your mouth.)…while on that subject,….next time you eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, do it while you are at the gym…and let it just sit in your mouth for about 20 minutes while you are working out….it really brings out the flavor!

I had a fantastic set of lightening systems (thanks Tom, John and Dave), so while the technical sections and downhill’s were quite challenging over night, I know that I was best equipped to deal with it. I had a pretty wicked over the handle bar fall during one of the down hill descents, but thankfully other than some bruises and blood there was no damage.

I changed my clothes every few laps (wore two pairs of shorts at all times), and we really lucked out with the weather, it go a little cold, but certainly could have been worse (for the most part we stayed dry).

As I was out there in the middle of the night, just me and my Ipod, many strange thoughts went through my head (I will not share those because I might be committed against my will), but I have to wonder why as human beings we do things like this????? Do you think if there is a higher power out there who study Humans that this is just put down as one of phenomenon’s that they know happens but know one can’t really explain why??? Really, why else would one ride 174 miles (278 km), on a mountain bike, in the middle of the night. Let’s just say right now, that I am quite sore in a special area and if you hear a scream reverberate around the world it could be simply that I am peeing (I will not elaborate!). I was up for 39 hours straight, my polar heart rate monitor clocked me burning approx 20,000 and went through more goo, and sports drink than you can image and I am sure those three things alone make the body freak out…..

I couldn’t have to done it with out the support of Mike, and Tim – so thanks ;-)

Will I do it again….not sure…the race was really well run and whether I go back solo or as a team I will definitely go back. (p.s. I ended up getting third)