Not Quite 24 Hours

[Susan Otcenas]

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]

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]

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]

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

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

[tctrek]

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

[Susan Otcenas]

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]

Thanks, Susan. Great advice and very inspiring!