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The following are excerpts from my journal on Day Two.

6/25/99, 6:30 pm

Had a very strong day riding. It was cool and overcast most of the morning. My right hand is weak, my achille's heel got to aching from mile 60-85 and my knees ached this morning, but were better once I stretched at Pit 1.

There were lots of people cheering us on today. I averaged 16.0 mph over today's 85+ miles. I'm going to leave as early as possible tomorrow and ride as efficiently as I can tomorrow. Word around camp is that Day 3 is much more hilly than we've had the first two days. I actually really enjoy hills, but tomorrow is 97+ miles and it could be a HOT one. Staying cool and hydrated will be more important tomorrow than ever. I'm pretty beat right now, spent but happy. I got a quick shoulder massage at lunch and put my name on the waiting list for a full one, but I doubt it's going to happen.

[Carmen the Trash Lady] There's a guy, affectionately known as the "Trash Lady" who's job on crew is to pick up trash at meals. "She" wears a different dress each day made entirely out of TRASH BAGS! The outfits are incredible! The kicker is, as I found out at dinner tonight, he's a MARINE!!! This ol' world has a lot to teach me.

I know there was more I wanted to write, but my brain is mush. Jackie and Kate both finished today. That's quite an accomplishment. If the ride were over today we could all be proud of what we've done. Gretchen continues to be road queen, getting in with the first 100 riders at 10 after 1pm.

Well, as long as my a** does not catch on fire tomorrow, and my achille's tendon doesn't snap, and my shoulders don't seize up, and my skin peel off from sun exposure I should have no problem finishing tomorrow.

This is a cool experience, but, as Jackie asked at dinner, I would want to do a different ride rather than the same one if I were to decide to do this again. Kate very clearly said she would not do this again. Gretchen has found her sport. Carolyn is finding new reserves of strength she did not know she had. Jackie is (re?)discovering her determination, and I am learning I am stronger than I knew when I treat my body right. Ken, who knows? In camp and at pits he pretty much does his own thing.

6/25/99, 10:05 pm

I was on page 11 of the waiting list for a massage and had given up hope. At 9:20 pm, they had four spots open for wait list folks (they were on page 4 at that point) and I was called third. I ended up getting a massage from a Reiki master! Staying and seeing if my name would get called is my best decision so far! It's hot tonight; I hope I can sleep!

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