Not Quite 24 Hours

**Susan Otcenas** · 10-14-2009, 10:28 PM

New TE Blog Post: Not Quite 24 Hours

I *finally* finished my ride report for the Ring of Fire 24 Hour Time Trial. It was an adventure!

http://blog.teamestrogen.com/

-Susan

**redrhodie** · 10-15-2009, 09:32 AM

Great ride report! Bake Oven is one of those names that sends chills up my spine. Around here, we have a "Small Pox Trail" shudder.

That must have been really scary having no light at the end. How weird not letting you have a support car in the dark when you need it most! What was the reasoning behind that? Glad you made it down okay!

**GLC1968** · 10-15-2009, 11:30 AM

What a great report! I can't believe you did 157 miles in a dress!!

Very impressive ride. Almost makes me want to try something similar someday...almost, but not quite.

**annielynn** · 10-15-2009, 11:36 AM

WOW Congrats! What a great ride.

**Susan Otcenas** · 10-15-2009, 11:37 AM

Yup, the 1st 157 was in a dress. At the ride start, one of the guys jokingly said "You're not really going to ride in a dress, are you?" To which I replied, "of course I am!". To which he replied "no, really.... you're aren't actually going to ride in a dress, are you?". "Um, yeah, I really am."

**Starfish** · 10-15-2009, 02:10 PM

Holy cow. What a ride report (and ride!). I am amazed.

What is this cycling dress? (eta...saw the castelli dress on your website...is that what you wore?)

**Susan Otcenas** · 10-15-2009, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Starfish

Holy cow. What a ride report (and ride!). I am amazed.

What is this cycling dress? (eta...saw the castelli dress on your website...is that what you wore?)

It's a skirt sports dress. We're sold out so you can't see it on the website anymore. But, I did do a blog post about it earlier in the year. I wear that dress so often that people probably think I don't own anything else anymore.

http://blog.teamestrogen.com/search/...skirt%20sports

Susan

**OakLeaf** · 10-15-2009, 03:42 PM

Wow Susan. What did we decide the word was? "Mythological?"

You rock. We'll even let you say "epic" if you want.

**tctrek** · 10-15-2009, 04:05 PM

Congrats, Susan! What an amazing story! Tell us how your recovery felt?

**Susan Otcenas** · 10-15-2009, 05:22 PM

Originally Posted by tctrek

Tell us how your recovery felt?

Incredibly well, actually.

I napped in the car on the way home on Sunday.
I was tired at work on Monday, and sorta stiff, but not really sore. (rest day)
By Tuesday, the stiffness was essentially gone, but I still took it as a rest day.
On Wednesday morning, I went for an hour-long run and felt great.
On Friday morning I ran 10 miles.

All in all, I bounced by really quickly. I think it's because I'm in very good shape this year and have ridden a ton of miles (especially climbing miles). I also think it's because I was very very very careful to eat and drink appropriately during the event. I never let myself get too hungry or too thirsty. Richard weighed me every few hours to make sure I wasn't dehydrating. I started the day at 129 pounds, and was spot on 129 every time he made me step on the scale. He kept track of everything I ate and drank during the day. I went through 13 bottles of fluid in the 1st 157 miles. I also didn't overdo it in the heat. The one time I felt the heat starting to affect me on Bake Oven Road, I took a break to cool off and drink more. The heat killed alot of people that weekend, whereas I took it really easy in the hottest part of the day, gearing down until it felt "easy", so that I never felt awful.

So, even though it was a big event, I didn't beat myself up too much during it. I think that's why I recovered so quickly.

It also taught me that if I pace myself, and if I train myself to go long in 2010, I should be able to go all the way next year. It's one of my two big goals for 2010. (the other being a half ironman in June.)

**tctrek** · 10-15-2009, 05:26 PM

Thanks, Susan. Great advice and very inspiring!

**roadie gal** · 10-16-2009, 07:16 AM

Amazing. Congrats. Excellent on getting the nutrition right. I'm starting to think that's as important as the training for those really long efforts.

**spindizzy** · 10-16-2009, 12:01 PM

Congratulations on your awesome ride. You rode very, very smart.
I'd say Richard was awesome as well- fantastic that he kept track of your fluid, nutrition and weight..after awhile you tend to forget.

Great RR...damn technology!

**Susan Otcenas** · 10-16-2009, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by spindizzy

I'd say Richard was awesome as well- fantastic that he kept track of your fluid, nutrition and weight..after awhile you tend to forget.

Indeed! I couldn't have done it without him. I've crewed for Richard several times on ultra events. This was his 1st crewing experience, but as a rider he knew instinctively what I would be needing. In fact, he rode this same event last year. It was very hot then too, and he had trouble with his hydration and ended up not completing the event. So, he was really tuned in to what it would take for me to succeed. I was so grateful to have him along!

Susan

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