Everyone is wondering if I stayed another night in the tent and how am I feeling physically.
The last day of the race was freezing cold then we had a downpour and winds that were wild. Most had to stop racing because you could barely stand up. There was one guy still on the bike. He had to change to a mountain bike and it still looked like he was fighting a losing battle. A few kept running because the were in contention for title spots. I was not that devoted. When the rain stopped, I had to borrow a winter coat and winter gloves to complete the run walk.
After the finish line, I had some alcohol and emailed home. It was about 3:30 in the morning. Too late to get hotel, so I decided to go back to my tent one more time. When I got there it was flooded and everything was floating. I borrowed the massage table at the race and put it in my tent. It's basically to long for the tent and I'm pretty well laying face to face with the roof. At this point I'm tired and injured so sleep is what I want. The storm picked up in the night and my roof blew off twice. The second time it happened in had no strength or energy to go get it. I lay there with the rain pouring down upon me, freezing cold. It was a terrible night.
Next day they had the awards ceremony, lots of good food, warm and dry. The race director said he had a place for me to stay, in his home town 25 minutes away. His aunt passed away last year and she has a top floor terrace apartment in the middle of town. Its around 1800 sq ft and has 10 foot ceilings and panoramic views of the town and the mountains. Two other competitors are staying with me until Wednesday.
On Tuesday we went to Mount Edna, yes my feet are killing me a are heading to a mountain top. Not only going to a mountain but we have to climb up it.
My feet are not good. They are still very swollen and my big toes has puss constantly running out of it. My sandals barely fit. The bottom of my sandals are constantly wet with fluid. It has been 4 days since the race and I can't willingly move either one of my large toes. My baby toes have no toenails.
After the mountain tour we went to an outlet mall. My feet were so sore that I had to be pushed in a wheelchair because the pain was so unbearable. There was a Ferrarri display of a car. Jose and Roberto pushed my wheelchair on the other side of the car and took numerous photos of me. They thought it was hilarious. I wasn't so amused. I had chocolate jelato from the Lindt store. Best thing I ever had. My two room mates left the next day, I went sight seeing with Angelo (a helper from the race). We went to the sea. They have tons of lava, quite a sight.
We then went to a place called Torromina. They history and the architecture of the buildings are a sight to see.
Unfortunately, everywhere I went had lots of stairs. I think this is gods way of getting even with me for all the stupid things I do.
So, I have eaten a lot of cannoli, capuchinos, expressos, local granita, jellato, wine, pizza, pasta and tons of fresh breads. What ever scilcily has offered, I have eaten. When you order a pizza in Italy, the whole pizza is for one person, not three. Plus it come with an order of French fries, beer, wine, and other Italian side dishes.
As far as my health goes, it's not bad considering what I put my body through. Every time I blow my nose it full of blood, it has been that way since the end of the race. I have put pins in my big toes 5 to 6 times a day in order to drain them. They still hurt and
Will most likely take time to heal.
I am truly grateful that I made it through this event in my life. Looking back at it, I honestly don't know how I held on. It was definitely the toughest thing I have ever done. Everyone asks me why I had to do this. I honestly don't have a good answer to that question. It was a huge challenge, but I do believe we are all possible of doing things that others say are impossible. I think it is our fear that limits our imagination.
So what's next.......... Nothing on the horizon, time to heal and spend some well deserved time with my family. I'm presently on a flight to London England to see my relatives for a week. I will be home next Friday on the 21st.
Lastly I would like to thank everyone for the kind words of inspiration that you gave me. It meant so much to me everyday. I'm also grateful for all my friends that I trained with this year and the cycle group that I rode with and depended on so much this year. The journey is often as satisfying as the race.
Again, thanks so much.
