Stage 1,2,3 and the unscheduled day off

Thursday - Stage 4 

I'm not riding today so time for an update… 

Mon - Stage 1 96km 2350m climbing

Monday was horrific. 8.5 hours in scorching heat, at least 2 of which were trudging up hill through deep sand. 

The first 4 hours were actually really fun, beautiful scenery, quite a bit of climbing but nothing too taxing and it was nice and warm.

We had been warned that it would get much harder after the second water point but I don't think anyone could have expected the misery

that was to come. We rode along a valley through lots of deep sand which meant quite a bit of walking. Looking at the garmin file, I think it would be fair to assume we walked for at least 2.5 hours if not more. It was miserable, boiling hot, no breeze and km after km of sand.

We were utterly exhausted at the finish and this was made worse by the fact that our massage people were based 10 minutes walk away from the site. We did feel better for it but coming in so late meant it was massage-shower-dinner-bed with little time to rest up and relax.

5.30am isn't really so bad when you are comatose by 9pm so we are getting enough sleep. 

stage 1 garmin data http://connect.garmin.com/activity/286734286

Tues - Stage 2 146km 2350m climbing

Tuesday was 145km. It was actually much better than Monday, almost all rideable and just really really long. Temps didn't go too high and it was a pretty nice day out. The final descent was ridiculous. I don't know how long it was but it seemed to go on for ever! Huge rocks, drops and a vertical drop on the side meant that i didn't take any risks and try riding things I wasn't completely sure of. The consequences of getting it wrong could have been

huge!

It was a relief to get to the end. Our hands, forearms and shoulders were killing from the constant bumping. Stage 2 was definitely rock day. We rode out over miles of corrugated dirt road which shook your whole body and dislodged fillings.

All in all though, stage 2 was ok.

stage 2 garmin data http://connect.garmin.com/activity/286734224

Weds - Stage 3 94km 1950m climbing

stage 3 was billed as a 'recovery day'. I didn't take too much notice of this as it was 94km with just shy of 2000m of climbing. The single track was meant to be smooth which was something I held on to when it all went very very wrong between water points 2 and 3. A fairly innocuous crash that sent me into the fynbos (south african shrubbery - more thorny than our british kind) left me winded and a bit bruised. no real harm done, got my breath back and got back on.

My back felt a bit sore straight after but this was nothing compared to how much worse it got. Everything hurt me, climbing, descending, bumps, smooth bits, rough bits.

I was in agony every time I had to get off (often with the bloody vertical rocky climbs) and lost it pretty well before the final feed station. I'd just had enough, got off my bike and had a bit of a cry. Managed to drag myself into the final feed station and hobble around bent double to get water and go to the loo. I was in real trouble at this point, the next 7km were almost all up hill. normally it would have been more rideable for me but i just had nothing left. I was hurting, miserable and hot. Part of the way up the first part of the climb I wanted to try to lie down to stretch my back out as I couldn't stand up straight. I sat on the floor and felt more shooting pains. At that point I burst into tears and sat on the side of the hill sobbing. The other riders were fantastic, all stopping to ask if i was ok and offer words of encouragement. Richard tried to get me to go back down to the water point to see the medics but I just wanted to finish. The remainder of the stage was miserable. Loads of off the bike climbing, rocks, and really high temperatures.

We finally reached the top only to find a rocky and steep descent waiting which was almost as painful for me as the climb! We even hit a patch of sand in the final 5km which was just so unfair! We finally cross the finish line and again, I burst into
tears, head hanging over the bars and tears dripping down my number board. We were soon followed by Rachel Fenton and Collyn Ahart who had had a differently but equally miserable 'recovery day'. Lesson learned, the race director is a compulsive liar!

So that brings me to today… last night I was in pieces. I couldn't walk or stand up straight and was eventually persuaded to see the medics. They gave me some pain relief but it didn't make much difference so we went back later to see what else they could do. I tried to sit down to wait and felt the most incredible shooting pains in my back. I've honestly never felt anything like it. 

They gave me some proper drugs then and I went to bed.

This morning I was still bent over but mid morning I managed to stand up straight and I've been for my massage now. Going to get some more pain stuff and give it a go tomorrow.

Tomorrow is going to be pretty tough though as every stage is but this one is characterised by single track. Fingers, toes and everything crossed that I will be ok. I know I can't call myself an Epic finisher and my number board will be cut off but if I can get through the rest that will make all this training and suffering in the mud and cold worth it. 

There have been quite a few people outside of the time limit every day and lots of abandons through injury and general

illness. Last night 95% of the people in the medical tent where there because of dehydration. Rumour has it that it was 40 deg yesterday... 

The pros have been phenomenal, coming in 3-4 hours ahead of us! They are like machines!