Final Count = Seven Laps

Well, as you may have guessed, we did call it quits after my morning lap that ended in a deluge of rain this morning at 6:30am. The rain didn't let up and the word from the course was that things were as slippery as ever. We decided to be happy with the seven completed laps and have resolved to train in the dark and in the rain for next year. :-)

Thanks for all of the support that we got during the race; Bob, Taylor, Patrick, Donna and Annette, it was great to read your blog posts and also thanks to those who emailed to say that you were enjoying the updates. We had an international audience with folks from China to Switzerland checking out how things were going.

Also, thank you for your support of the Racing for Research fund raiser! The fund raiser was very successful and I look forward to be able to present the proceeds to Dr. Loggie and his team. All supporters will be getting a race newsletter, so look for that in your inboxes.

And finally, a big thanks to Stacey and Donna who are great riders and great teammates.

All for now, I have some sleep to catch up on!

KS

Pro Mountain Biker: Unlikely Career Path for Kathrin

One thing is for sure, I probably will never be a professional mountain biker! I had what can only be descried as a pathetic lap this morning. I got up a 4:30am and hit the trail around 4:45am. The first three miles took me forever and I was still trying to identify the root that took Donna out.

There is something very relaxing about riding in the woods, completely by yourself, in the dark. I rather enjoyed it, well until the rain started up. I was between mile 6 and 7 when the rain started this morning. Thankfully I had on an extra layer of clothing and was through most of the technical sections by then. I was inspired by the Cannondale Pro Rider, but could only keep up with her with her for a few meters before she left me in the mud and I lulled back into my biathalon approach to this race...it goes something like this - ride, try to get through tough rocky/slippery root section, spin out, dismount, run through rocks, get back on bike. Repeat 50 times and you have my lap.

It is still raining and we are kind of bummed out, so this may be the end of our race. I am going to take a hot shower and see if I another lap in these legs.

KS

Ouch

Muscles hurt that I didn't know I had. Third lap in the dark was fun but slow and exhausting. Sleep is my friend.

Chillin' at the Camp Fire

Donna and Chris just got back from the hospital. She is doing well, however has been instructed to ice her face every 30 minutes, so she and Chris are going to head home to PA. The rest of us who aren't riding at the moment are chillin' by the camp fire. Our site is right at the point where riders enter the campground so it is fun to cheer folks on as they make their way to the transition are.

KS

New Game Plan for Loggie's Ladies

Word from the hospital is that Donna has to wait for the facial surgeon since she needs stitches on her face. She is doing fine, but it is unlikely that she will be doing any more laps. Stacey and I evaluated the situation and decided that she would go for a night lap now and then we would both get some sleep before I head out tomorrow morning at 4:30am. That gives us 8 hours to complete 4 more laps hitting our goal of 10 laps. :-)

My last lap as mostly in the dark and I have discovered that I ride better when I don't see what I am riding over. In daylight you see every rock and root, however my night lights don't make every rock visible and things seem to flow better.

Stacey is tearing up the course right now and I am going to hit the sack for a bit. I hear rolling thunder in the distance, I really hope that doesn't head our way!

KS

Bullies

It's definately crazy slippery out there but I've been lucky enough to finish another lap without a major incident. Only one minor run-in with a rock that I won't pick a fight with again. :-) I'll probably be doing another lap shortly since we are temporarily down to two riders so we'll see how that goes. Kathrin is out there now riding like a champ so I won't get much of a break. We'll post an update on Donna when we have new info. This picture is to remind us of the happy times before the mud, cramping muscles, and blood. (begin playing violins now)

-SS

Dirt Devil has Run In with Slippery Root

Donna 'Dirt Devil' Radl tried to tango with a slippery root and ended up with a few cuts and bruises. She is going to visit the local Doctor to see if she can be stitched together for more laps.

Athough she encountered this root early on in her loop she still managed to lay down a fast lap, even after the course EMT had her hang out for a bit out on the course!

Stacey is out there now, and I will be heading out next for the first night lap...

The guys, Chad, Bruce, Tincu and Thom are doing well, however they are having some mechnical difficulties. Tincu managed to break his front fork and Thom managed to bend his rear cog.

Stay tuned for more...

KS

Training Would have been a Good Idea

The first lap was a fun, a bit on the slick side of things with roots that caused me to fly in the woods a couple of times, but really fun! I finished in an hour and thirty; lots of mud, rocks and trees to run into.

We are chilling in tent city right now, Katie came by to hang out and cheer us on and we are loading up on a combo of PBJ sandwiches, gatorade and powerbars.

That is all for now.

KS

Lap 1

I finished my first lap in about an hour and forty minutes. No rain so far but the trails are pretty slick from the thunderstorm last night. I realize now why my other team members didn't want to go first... just call me sucker. :-) I successfully spread out from the other riders so the traffic at the technical sections will be thinner next lap. The first lap was a blast though and the rocky technical sections got easier throughout the ride.

Until next time...

-Stacey

24 hours and Counting

Our lead out, Stacey, hit the trail about 28 minutes ago and is more than likely tearing up the course. Regardless of the weather, there is a lot of energy in the air and everybody seems to be in a good mood.

I should start getting ready for my first lap, hope the rain holds off. :-)

KS

WE HAVE A CONNECTION!!! After a crazy night of storms we got up and headed to Allamuchy. We arrived about half an hour ago to find a serious campsite with three popup tents, six sleeping tents a firepit, kitchen, sitting area, etc. Go Loggie's Ladies!

Hunter Gatherers

Yes, the hunting and gathering portion of our journey was mostly at the grocery store, but here's a shot of Kathrin getting down and dirty gathering wood for our sacrifices by the fire pit.

Time to sleep...

-SS

I think that we have everything. Stacey and I hit the grocery store and bought lots Gatorade, Powerbars, Chexmix (mmmm salt), water, bananas, etc. I think that we are all set. Tincu and Bruce headed up early today and got a great campsite with a firepit in the middle and enough space for all of our tents.

We are taking enough electronic equipment to launch the shuttle. Now we just have to hope that we get reception in the wilds of NJ, but who are we kidding, it is NJ so I think we should be fine.

Good Night.

KS

We are two weeks from the big race. I went for a road ride today and feel pretty good, what I should really be doing is get into the woods and mountain biking...Maybe tomorrow.

The fund raising is going well with lots of friends and family showing their support. The incentive for each loop is getting stronger every day and will definitely help when we are riding at 3am.

Also told Dr. Loggie about the fund raiser when I saw him in Omaha this past Wednesday. He told us about the research that he is working on, progress that is being made and it makes me happy that we are able to raise money that will ultimately go to this important research that Dr. Loggie and his crew are conducting. He also gave me a good report after looking at my CT scans which makes us very happy!

All for now...

KS

Setting up the Blog for the Race

Hello, I got this idea from a friend and colleague who said that we, Donna, Stacey and I (aka Loggie's Ladies), should blog from the race so that we can let our supporters know how we are doing. Assuming that I am able to get on the internet from the race site, check out this blog from August 26th -August 27th for a detailed play-by-play update of how we are doing.

"see" you then and thank you all for your support.

KS