Dallas Marathon 2014/12/14

With 2014 autumn activities: Montreal 24h, A2A, and Taiwan trip, the body was unlikely to respond well to marathon training.  My only incentive for a strong marathon result was qualifying for 2016 Boston.  I tried to un-register 2014 Dallas Marathon upon confirming 2015 Boston spot.

_goal
Finish safely in shape to start Boston training.  Any result faster than Oprah would do.

_nutrition
Anticipating fat-burn pace, I skipped the usual 4-day carbo load.
Company Xmas party was the eve of the race.  I sipped water at the open-bar cocktail.  Buffet line opened at 9:15pm w/ delicious protein.  Four Season grand ballroom shell fish worked poorly as marathon fuel.

I got through the 4-hour marathon with 5 gels, coconut water, and lots of Gatorade on course.

_race
I set GPS to 9:00 pace.  I would cross the line around 4 hours 3 lb over race weight.

I started from the back for new experience.  I crossed the line 15 minutes after the gun.  I zigzagged around walkers.  I passed pacing groups.

9:00 was a difficult pace to maintain.  I bled speed at every climb as the heavy runners started walking.  I settled into rhythm after 5k.  Mile 3 to 12 was a big blur.

I snuck up on an event photographer.

I made a point to stay behind 4:15 group before half way point.  This was my 1 chance to negative split the course.  9:00 pace required effort at the first climb after half way.  Marathoners around me slowed after mile 15.  Relay runners were the only ones going faster than 9:00 pace,

I invited walkers to join me.  They'd stay a mile or so.  Most ran the first half at unsustainable speed.  I knew how that felt.  I offered to pace.  They would go back to walking after couple miles.

Light rain came and go.  I was wet but maintained core temperature.

The hardest part about running slower was the run took much longer.  By mile 20, I felt I "deserved" to be further ahead.

_the wall
To my dismay, the wall came around mile 23--I overestimated my fitness.  I walk the final climb then decide not to push.  I turned off electronic pacer.  "Just maintain perceived effort."  Marathoners passed me left and right.  Many encouraged me as they dealt with their own struggle.  I suppressed the urge to dig.

Rain came down during the final mile.  I accelerated but got soaked. 

_incentive
I got 4 medals for finishing 2 races:
2014 Dallas-Rock n Roll "Duo Medal."
2014 Marathon finishing medal.
2014 Rock n Roll half
2013 Marathon finishing medal; the event was canceled due to weather.
High quality medals compared to the lightweight Montreal 24h gold medal staying above my fireplace.

I sold the 4 running medals on ebay < 1 hour.

I imagined at least one person cherished them.


_recover
Taking wet compression socks off at the car was a struggle, but I was 80% recovered after shower.  I was almost disappointed having no issue walking at sushi buffet dinner.

Battle at Bear Creek 11/9/2014

 The day before race, I had a good visit at DMC and with Wagoners.  I hadn’t seen Duane, Andriana, and Ace for too long.

For 20 minutes on Friday, I searched for a way to own a car from the 80’s.

I arrived race course unfit, unmotivated and jetlagged. 

_300 meter

I started slow and finished strong.  I was marginally slower than when I started aggressively.

_10k

My body didn’t want to push.  I let the pack go early.  “Keep it real.”

I kept the effort constant, making sure I wasn’t doing majority of the work.

Final stretch, I challenged Kevin from Oklahoma.  I got out of his slipstream and misjudged our stride width.  Skates clicked.  I lost balance but miraculously recovered.  “Keep it safe, you idiot!”

_half Marathon

I didn’t pay attention to the lap count, knowing I couldn’t count beyond 3.  I stayed with same skaters as 10k, watching Luke staying away, doing much of the work. 

It was the first high-heart rate workout after A2A.  I demonstrated poor left turn skill once every lap.

I faded during the final stretch and saw Jamie in the corner of my eye.  I reflexively hawked--my first front-split attempt after reached legal drinking age.  I crashed.  Helmet ground against pavement.  Road rash on elbow and shoulder.  A rib wasn’t happy.  

For next few days, I was terrified of sudden lung movements.  Every sneeze reminded me of the law of large number.

A2A—38 + 49 miles skate 10/12/2014

With Montreal 24-hour result and 2015 Boston spot, 2014 was already a success.  “Show up.  Have fun.  Don’t get hurt.”

Given the field size, I had a chance of becoming the 3rd Texas Flyer to win the 38-mile race.  The undercard was less about peaking than right place and right time.

_preparation
Rest for 4 weeks after Montreal.  4 hill-repeat sessions the following 2 weeks.  Taper for 1 week.

I was unable to focus on race preparation with job change, house repair, pending Asia trip, and helping family move.  The night before flying to A2A, I stayed up to finalize an iPhone 5 warranty repair and unlock while trying to secure an iPhone 6 and initiate phone upgrade eligibility transfer before Taiwan trip.  Sigh, I’ve become one of those phone geeks in hate with AT&T….

_new friend
Met Allan Hooker on the way to Athens.  It was fun to talk to the veteran.

Abel Suarez the fitness skater flew from Mexico City to skate A2A.  I swamped the rookie with advice before Henry’s Rant.  I was envious that he would get to experience Silver Hill for the first time.

_pre race activities

I sought Jimmy's advice on boot fit, 125 mm wheels, and my issue with the carbon frames.  Photo from FB.

In honor of Jens Voigt's hour record, I played Air Supply instead of Mendelssohn during morning coffee.

_slow start
The pavement turned wet after we got out of Athens.  Wheels slipped.  Everyone tried to hang on to his spot in the oversized lead pack.  A gap formed.  I started to bridge and urged Marcy to come.  Herb and others followed.  The lead pack accelerated.  I didn't like the under-push required and let the pack go.  The 38-mile trophy would wait another year.

The chase pack caught me at the worst elevation.  I went hard for 5 minutes to bridge.  This was my hardest effort all day.

The lead pack spitted out racers.  Herb, and Marcy fell back to our group.  They looked fresh.  Jessica wasn’t in sight.

_off script
Traditionally, 3 groups would form by mile 20:
1.  Lead pack with Eddy in it.
2.  Lenny's chase pack.  Female 87-winner came out of this group, often someone tall and slim.
3.  Luke or Larry group.

If lead group contained too few skaters or if top skaters weren't recovered from NYC 100k, Eddy would skate with Lenny.  I would followed Lenny to Dacula, then accompany Luke to Atlanta.

This year 2nd and 3rd groups merged to form a big pack.  Rain stopped.  Pavement still wet.  No one took dumb chances.

I was disappointed not having enough lead to accompany Luke to Atlanta.  Maybe I’d ask him to wait at Dacula finish.  I ran through steps needed for 38-mile finish: hand over the tag, congratulate the winners, go potty, hug Valerie, resupply.

More skaters leaked out of lead pack.  Jessica’s long limbs in green were identifiable miles away.  I wanted Jess and Marcy to do well.  I contribute in reeling in Jessica group, which didn’t put up a fight.  We also gained Oswald, Kent, and Lenny.  Sam lectured me on pulling for too long.

I admired Eric Krann’s ice-friendly technique.  Living near the Olympic oval had its advantages.  Wheel slip continued to annoy.  “I’ll put on black wheels in Dacula.”  Normal-height girls in the pack seemed strong, especially Ohio Rachael.  Maybe one of them could challenge Marcy and Jessica.

Herbinator exuded excessive power accelerating on flats and downhill.  Skaters popped off at each incline.  Half the skaters dropped cresting the big hill before Dacula.  Herb’s Greek-God-like quads spasmed with 50 miles to go.

_38-mile race
I looked for my competitions.  Lenny suggested I could win.  I made an effort to bridge a lonely Hernan Diaz on 125mm wheels.  Lenny told me not to worry about it--"he's racing different distance."  I wasn't convinced; why wouldn't Hernan wait for our pack if he were racing 87-mile.

My wheels caught something--maybe an acorn.  The debris was near invisible behind other skaters.  A minute later, Luke went down.  Lenny eased off for 10 seconds before resuming the effort.  He shielded me from potential attacks.  None came.  “Johnny, Go!”  I sprinted.  Rachel came in seconds later.

_Dacula
I went through my Dacula ritual like triathlon transition.  I planned to use the 49-mile lead pack to catch Luke.  I had no time to change wheels.  I waited for the 49-mile lead pack but found Luke standing at check point 3 willing his muscles to stop cramping.  His boots had blades of grass sticking out.

The chance to skate with Luke felt like a gift.

_49 mile stroll
The mid-distance leaders took off like jack rabbits.  Luke and I joined the 2 biologists at leisurely pace.  Allan skated like a veteran and worked well with Luke and me.  Emilie was a single-speed machine oblivious to inclines.  She made it clear
1.  it's not OK to push her downhill.
2.  she had a boyfriend.

photo by Emily

We caught another 49-miler Shafeeq.  5 of us skated as a group but not always in a line.  It rained.  The bearings were doing their job.  No one braked well.  Luke and I had our slowest Silver Hill descend in memory.

_long stop at check point 5
Oswald sat in a chair showing no interest to climb another hill.  He decided to hitch a ride as Mighty Herb rolled through.

Emily and Shafeeq didn’t bother to stop.  Allan, Luke, and I took our time.  The weather turned gorgeous.  The pavement became skater-friendly this year.

photo from FB

It was a perfect day.

photo by SkateNow

_incidents

“Lenny got hit by a car” wasn't what I wanted to hear as I reached the finish line.  Fortunately he was able to complete his race with minor road rash.

There were 2 other incidences involving cars.  The police considered pressing charge in one case.

Eddy started the day unrecovered from shoulder injury.  At the finish he sat in the chair with road rash.  It wasn’t a banner year for the legend.

_dinner
Went to Tipping Cow where Mark inspired me to race 2008 Montreal 24-hour.  It was nice catching up with Blake, Elizabeth, and David.

Abel regretted not taking Silver Hill more aggressively.

24h Roller Montreal; duo (2-man relay); 8/23/2014 3pm Saturday

_motivation

After the solo race in 2008, I plotted to return to break 600km in 2010.  Life took an unexpected turn in 2009—devoting daily life to training was no longer feasible.  I postponed the 600k ambition each year.  Philippe Coussy beat me to it in 2012.

I was inspired by Luke and Jessica’s 2013 strategy: keep it simple; forget peaking; just do it.  Endurance sport ain't always about a big number.  “Play while health and friend exist.”  It didn’t take much to convince Casey to be my relay partner.  Voon volunteered to support. 

_goals:

1.  everyone safe and happy

2.  fight for win if realistic

3.  400 miles

4.  podium finish

5.  unable to walk normally Monday

_preparation

Casey and I focused on practicality.  We biked more than skated; Dallas wasn’t skate-friendly.  We maintained running form and would run Dallas Marathon in December.

The training schedule resembled typical triathlon programs:

2~5 week meso-cycles;

4-month base building followed by high heart-rate cycles

3-week taper.

I squeezed in a week of vacation in Maryland.  The longest skate was 5 hours—a far cry from 2008’s 12-hr Shicoff race simulation.  At times it was hard to resist training longer and harder.  “It’s better to be 10% under- than 1% over-trained”

Body weight cooperated.  Nevertheless I felt fat during taper. 

Boots continued to be a source of frustration.  I gave up on the visually beautiful custom Simmons.

_Montreal lodging

I stayed at Celine’s row house while Casey and Voon used a bed-n-breakfast.  We walked more than ideal the days leading to the race.  The trip wasn’t all about the race.

[pre-race food]

_shift strategy

1 90-minute shift followed by 10 1-hour shifts from each skater.  Rotate every lap during final hour. 

[compression sleeves as shin guards.  ready to follow racer with big back kicks.  selfie by Voon]

_revenge skate

Sam Fistel set up his camp next to ours.  He won 2010 solo category but had a disappointing 2013 event.  He’s determined to put up a big number.

[I followed the kid at the edge of the photo.  23.9 hours to go.  photo from FB]

_rivals

Our paddock neighbor Victorious Secret was eager, long-legged, young, and intimidating.  I started the race behind a Victorious uncomfortably fast; the free ride was hard to refuse.  My heart rate monitor malfunctioned, but I knew the effort wasn’t sustainable.  I let my draft go after 2 laps.  The 24-hour event was more about staying awake than about speed.

I hopped on the pack behind Marianne Portelance of “It Takes 2.”  She looked and skated like Jennifer Rodriquez: flat back with back kick.  Her partner had abundant hair coming out of his helmet and legs.  Victorious soon slowed and joined our pack.  The pack pace was dictated by the top solo skater Bruno Pettersen Coulombe. 

_"All for one.  All for one."

Many of my laps were with Bruno following team #22.  Bruno picked nutrition directly out of his support's back pockets.  Having a dedicated team was a no-brainer when I plotted to break the solo record.  Someone finally implemented the strategy.

Bruno would finish 151 laps for a new world record (655 km).  

[Everyone was curious about the blood on the knee.  photo from FB]

_close call

The 7-man pack was chaotic at the exchange zone.  Some wanted to protect their positions; others were getting on or off the course.  Marianne and I clicked frames.  I let the pack go and drafted behind another soloist moving 17 mph by himself.  His steady rhythm broke as he attempted to stay in a slipstream.  He crashed.  I jumped but clipped his right thigh.  I turned 180 in midair and had to put a hand on the ground to stay upright. 

“You alright?” 

“Yeah!” 

The big guy glanced at his road rash and continued on, disgusted.  I followed.  I never saw him again after the shift.  My lower back stiffened up.  I worried.  23 hours to go.

A skater lied on the ground in the relay zone with broken teeth.  That could've been me.

Luke and Jessica lost the baton in the middle of the night.  I wondered how.  I lost the baton 1 hour into the race.

Casey came out 8 minutes ahead of schedule.  I got off the course regretting the suicidal pace.  I downed the scheduled nutrition.  I wished I bought more water and Gatorade.  I wished I used Loctite and new bearings.  I couldn’t wait for my next shift.

[not everyone moved at the same speed, photo from FB]

_time to complete 44 laps

Victorious Secret   06:16:23.41

It Takes 2           06:16:27.41

Texas Flyers         07:06:21.05

Brice                07:57:32.65

_into the night

By 10pm, it became apparent 400-mile was unrealistic.  Texas Flyer struggled with 10-minute laps.  Victorious Secret was doing sub-9.  We continued to strive for a podium finish.  Young racers tended sleep.

I left a message for Casey: skate conservatively before 3am, the midpoint.

_communication through support

Every hour, Casey and I exchanged 2 words + 1 phrase:

1.  shouting each other’s name

2.  “contact”

3.  words of encouragement before actual push.  “Stay upright.”  “How you doing?”  “I’m cold too.”  "Less than half left."  "Stay safe."

All other info was communicated via Voon in writing.

As I sat down after each shift, nutrition bags would magically appear around the chair.  Voon would take my trash, charge the GPS, and hand me skate tool per schedule on the spreadsheet.  I felt pampered.  In her spare time, Voon prepare Sam's drinks to save him a few bend-overs.

_2^nd near crash

12:15am, I was behind a Victorious when he crashed behind Bruno.  I couldn't see much in the dark but miraculously stayed up right.  Bruno threw me a question mark. 

“He crashed,” I answered in English and had no detail to contribute.

Bruno shrugged and told his windshield to keep going. 

_cramping

1am, my left calf cramped.  It got worse after half-hour rest.  Quads were also unhappy.  Putting on skate became challenging.  I visited the HPH massage tent at 3am; the staff was friendly.

“Where is it hurt, calf, hamstring, quads, lower back, no?” 

“Yeah.  How do you know?”

Everyone laughed. 

“Don’t worry.  We’ll fix.”

I woke up 20 minutes later on the table feeling relaxed.  Cramp resumed the moment left foot touched the ground. 

“Do you have enough electrolytes?  Are you drinking?” 

I dreaded having to ask Casey to skate my shifts.  I started popping Endurolyte.

[The Stick was no match for cramps.  photo by Voon]

_early retirements

Sam stopped skating halfway through.  His body wasn’t working as planned.  Sam integrated into Texas Flyer’s support team.

Victorious Secret disappeared by hour 14.

An hour later, "It Takes 2" went to bed. 

I continued to fight cramps.  Casey made good use of the blister kit and had other issues.  We were slowing at slower rate than our competitors.  Our standing kept improving.  I left Casey a message, “10 mph is faster than 0 mph.  Forget about lap count.  Just keep moving.”

_time to complete 77 laps

Victorious Secret   11:20:42.27

Texas Flyers         13:05:47.37

It Takes 2           13:08:16.99

Brice                14:46:48.55

_nutrition

Instead of using proven options, I arrogantly assumed I could handle 350 solid-food calories during each rest hour.  I also decided to test going with minimum electrolyte supplement.  This was a "B" race where I tried new things.

GI issue started before muscle cramps.  Bathroom trips robbed me of rest time.  I stopped all solid food; I conjectured my heart rate was so low I was burning mostly fat.  I popped Endurolyte like candy.  Red Bull and canned coffee started around 4am; they were delicious.  I stole Sam's Gatorade.

The sugary liquid diet made me think about my diabetic brother.  I wished he was at my corner.  I missed my family.

I was wet and cold at night but felt changing cloth had unfavorable return on investment.  It's cheaper to shiver.  

[Wrapped in Celine’s blanket in the relay zone waiting for next shift.  Photo by Voon]

_living on others’ generosity

[Celine provided our race bed and other items.  Selfie by Voon]

Candy volunteered to prepare Voon’s meals throughout the event, including celebratory cakes.

10-man teams went out of their ways to provide draft for duo and solo racers: Flying Fossils, Toronto Inline, Rainbo, strangers, 1 quad skater, and Super Mario.

[photo from FB]

The most used words on the course were “gauche (on your left)” and “merci.”

I was in 2 skaters’ slipstream when the shorter skater demanded that I share the work.  The lead skater refused.  They argued.  The little guy accelerated away angrily.  The lead skater made sure I stayed protected and could handle the pace. 

_all was lost

I was on sleeping bag visualizing the medal when Casey rolled into paddock 15 minutes ahead of 8am exchange.  He was dizzy.  I didn’t ask details; Voon would make good decisions with Sam’s help.  I laced up and started rolling. 

_"I want my mommy"

The sun was up.  A duo competitor offered draft.  I accepted.  He was skating well but slept his podium chance away.  I was in no mood to chat about the Ironman logo tattooed on his right calf. 

Skating 7.25 hours at any speed could keep us on the podium. 

“Whatever you do, don’t stop.”

I tried to pull a group of solo skaters; they didn’t like my pace or cadence. 

Candy caught me from behind to reduce my wattage requirement.  Her teammates continued the generosity.  A local squad took over.  That team entered the event to help solo and duo skaters.  The 4^th member was incapable of slow and steady concurrently.  I became alone on the seemingly deserted race track. 

Cyclists showed up for their Sunday morning workouts doing circles around me.  Pro skaters also passed me as if I were standing still.  The top skaters laid down sub-7-minute laps throughout the race.  I lost interest in their technique.  I just wanted to lie down.  Just an hour ago a podium finish felt inevitable.  I was afraid to ingest calorie; bathroom trip would cost a lap.  “Just keep moving--slowly and pukelessly.”

Herb came out with his trademark smile.  I whined.  “I didn’t prepare to skate 7 hours straight.”  He listened but wasn’t allowed to help me without a bib.

The legs couldn’t possibly go for another 6 hours.  I tried to draw strength from past experiences.  None made muscle fibers contract better.  I felt childish for feeling unfair.  “Deserve’s got nothin’ to do with it,” said Clintwood in “Unforgiven.” 

I stopped the emotional downward spiral by focusing on seeking out each of Super Mario's teammate.

[photo by Wilby]

_glimpse of hope

9:15am.  Voon shouted, “Casey can skate now.”  I was concerned.  The heart surgery wasn’t that long ago.  I didn’t know what stopped him 90 minutes ago: heart rate, lumbar, GI, blisters, core temperature, cramp, electrolyte, hydration.

We had the top lap count.  The podium finish was ours to lose.

[leading by 6 laps at hour 20.  screenshot from Voon's phone]

_time to complete 111 laps

Texas Flyers         20:03:01.67

It Takes 2           21:01:09.46

Brice                21:28:39.11

Victorious Secret   out of picture

_electronic malfunction

Monitor showed us leading “It Takes 2” by 4 laps before the event computer crashed.  Our rival skated multiple sub-9-minute laps Sunday morning; we were doing 10~13-minute.  I had mental imagine of Mirinda Carfrae chasing down her 2013 Kona gold.  We had 1-lap margin per hour.  All the sudden a podium finish was insufficient--I wanted to win. 

11:30am.  I got on the course and was immediate caught by “It Takes 2.”  They reduced our lead by 3 laps in < 2 hours.  I stuck to the hairy dude and maintained the 3-lap lead for the hour.  He wasn't drafting well and wasn't going as fast as I was afraid of.  Everyone looked tired, even the 10-man teams.  2.5 hours to go.

_familiar route

Relay zone: look for drafts while avoiding colliding into skaters getting on and off the course.   Straighten lower back and use outer edges to recover from low skating during previous section.

Short flat straight: muster courage to sprint up the climb--might need to match pace.

Uphill: Swing arms, hip, tongue, and all available body parts to save quads while looking for a ride.  High cadence.

 

Downhill: long stride and glide but be ready to sprint into a slipstream.  Don’t cut the pros off at the left-hand turn.

Short climb, right turn, downhill, left turn: maintain the rhythm.  Avoid the man hole.  Watch for bikes, tricycles, baby strollers, skateboarders, runners, and inline skaters.

Straight flat before 180-degree turn: try not to zone out.  Skate on left side to avoid manholes.

Hairpin: be efficient.  Avoid cross over.  Don't skate into the draft.

Downhill straight.  Long strides—push and glide.  Be small--hands on knees.  Thank the volunteers.  Enter the relay zone. 

_final hours

Instead of hourly shifts, Casey and I rotated after every lap.  It's hard to believe 350-mile could win this race.  Things could still go wrong: cramps, mechanicals, and crashes.  I felt being chased by Joey Mantia.  The hairy dude from "It Takes 2" could hide behind elite teams.  I couldn’t remember my last 10-minute lap.  I didn’t remember feeling this weak in 2008. 

Sam became our race advisor.  We agreed 3-lap was insurmountable, except we had no way of confirming the actual lap counts.  There was a chance the lap counts were off from the start.  We decided to error on the paranoid side.  I didn’t want to become the famous 2010 Columbian skater

[video from YouTube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJrGIzFpTcA]

_the final nail

The hairy boy walked to the pit with skates in hand.  The girl-roommate wasn’t ready.  Our lead increased by 1 lap. 

[One of the 4 mounting bolts came loose, photo Wilby]

_chased by fear

Celine and everyone showered us with positivity.  We needed it. 

Last 2 laps.  I still felt “It Takes 2” was breathing down my neck despite all evidence to the contrary.  Maybe they didn't really sleep; maybe the chip failed to trigger the sensor.

My form reached a new low as a racer caught me on the climb.  “Help me!”  He waited for me to get in position, said a few French words, and started to hammer.  My strides regained timing.  It still amazed me how paceline worked.

Every inch of the course was familiar by now.  My existence shrank to matching movements of a stranger’s feet.  The motion became second nature again.  The end was in sight.  I felt free.  I didn’t want this to end. 

The final sub-10-minute lap ended.  200 miles came late in the race—it took me an hour more than planned.  I recounted things we didn't optimize: pace, nutrition, rest, clothing, and race simulation.  Mostly we didn't carve out the resources necessarily to train for the pace--this was a team decision made months ago. 

We didn't reached Luke and Jessica's 2013 lap count; they were 3rd.  Race results are about who show up.

The PA system sandwiched “Texas Flyers” between French phrases.  Maybe announcer said “Our own It Takes 2 is only 70 seconds behind the Texas Flyers.  We can still do it!”  I continued to push.  I kept looking back. 

My team was all smiles after I high-fived through the human tunnel.  I tried not to look at watch every 5 seconds before the 15-minute result challenging window expired at 3:15pm Sunday.  

[We won!  photo by Celine] 

_#’s

Laps: 132

Total Distance: 356 miles

Speed: 14.8 mph

Fast lap: 8:19

Slow moving lap:  16:23

Slow lap with break:  22:06

Lap distance: 4.34km

 

Johnny's Garmin 310XT data

http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/580141451

[photo from FB]

Position Team Name   lap count

1          Texas Flyer      132

2          It Takes 2        128

3          Brice    125     

6          Victorious Secret        81       

Things could've been different if the silver medalists watched this video

_post-race

Casey recovered as if it were just another fun long ride.  He wore a smile and last pair of dry socks.

Candy’s hug and cake were sweet.  It's helpful knowing a friend wanted you to succeed.

Celine soaked up the atmosphere and didn’t seem surprised by anything.

I recognized half the skaters who helped me.  Everyone was in celebratory mood.

It was great to see Patrick and his 3 females.  He provided a hug and a Belgium beer.

The stomach never felt great after midnight.  It went further south with alcohol.  I leaned my forehead against a wall ready for things to come out while Casey and Voon loaded the rental car.  This race was harder than Tour de Donuts.

Walking wasn’t too difficult.  “Should’ve skated harder.”

Celine offered everything we wanted: hot shower, dining arrangement, and sleeping quarters.

The digestive system recovered in time for the celebratory dinner.  

 I felt blessed.