Race Day 2

Well made it back to the parque with Beto’s police escort and found Michael doing well. Got him some scrambled eggs with diced tomatoes in them. Got something to eat myself and set about getting our little area in order and hanging his wetsuit and other wet items up to “try” and dry in the 41 degree temps. We are down here in Mexico, where is this cold temps coming from. I had trouble staying warm – had a long sleeve shirt on with a fleece and Silvia Andonie gave me another fleece as well, but that was about the time I went back to the room to try and get some sleep – 3:45 a.m.

Silvia Andonie of Mexico

I was supposed to be up at 6:00 to get Michael something to eat. All I could so was lay there and buzz. I was up at 10 till when he came in to get some warmer clothing and other items and told me that he had eaten so I could lay down for another hour, which I did but same thing happened. Just laid there buzzing, I don’t think I fell asleep.

I was up at 7:00, dressed warm again and went down for some breakfast and check on Michael. Our rooms are only about 100 yards away. He was doing well – trying to keep a lead on the others. Everyone was back from the pool with the exception of Emmanuel. He finally made it back about 8:30, before the 24 hour cutoff. We were one happy bunch now – all the brothers and sisters were on the bike course – well almost all of them. A few were still sleeping before they started on their next journey. Some came and biked right away and would take a break during the day to sleep – others slept right away.

David Clamp taking a much need break to get some food - real food. Usually you take your food on the bike in the form of putting it in cups, however at times it is good to get off the bike for a bit.

One conversation I overhear was from David Clamp’s support crew. He got back from the pool and when you come in off the main road thru the security gate, there is a security bar that crosses the road. The cop car came thru and then David went to bike thru as the bar came down and hit him in the head. It knocked him pretty hard, he said it was like a whiplash kind of a jar. He did have some problems with his shoulder a couple hours later and saw the doc who gave him some drugs and he slept for a while and he felt better later on. He is still currently fine but could have been fatal for him in regards to the race. Not the way you would want to exit the race.

Peter Lefferts showing off for the crew members hydrating!

In a conversation later on with a group of people, Peter Lefferts mentioned an episode in the water where he had this momentary vision of this certain Pirates of the Caribbean scene from the second episode I believe where the Kings daughter saw these floating bodies and thought they were alive when they were dead. Something like that. Anyway – that momentary vision (hallucination or whatever) had a quick reminder of that.

It’s been a pretty happy group of people today. Athletes trying to jockey for position – some trying to figure out the best strategy for sleep (when to get it to maximize their potential), others not worrying about it as they just want to finish the race.

The overnight temp is only supposed to be a low of 48/9 celsius and a high of 72/22 celsius. Warming up. That is good. Although the sun felt awfully hot today for 74. Probably closer to the equator thing.

We have also been listening to Sirius Satellite radio all day which is a good thing. In the past trying to find a radio station and having to listen to DJ’s wasn’t cutting it nor putting in another CD either so I brought my radio down with me so we can jam to non-stop music. Works great down here.

Luis and Jorge behind the timing computers!

Am going to close this out. Jorge and his computer/web manger Luis have the timing program working so you will be able to view the results on the website. I will post the correct link when it is published by Luis, he is currently working on it and I need to crash for two hours before getting back up to help Michael.