Mile 5

This is going to be a piece of cake.  Pace myself, well, wait a second, that guy just passed me!  Who does he think he is? I’m faster than he is. I love the sound of my tires rolling on the pavement.  Ok I’m passing him, I’m going to give him my, I’m better than you, glare.  I need to really start thinking about pacing myself now.  Slow down a little, there.  That breeze feels awesome and the view from up here is spectacular, this is going to be a wonderful ride!

Mile 10

It’s getting hot, it feels like a sauna out here. I wish my sweat would stop pouring down my face. I can’t wait to get to the lunch station, I’m starving, and shouldn’t I have been there already?  Whoa! Why do I keep having to pass this guy, he’s unrelenting. Push it….push it….I can do it, there, he’s behind me again.

Mile 35

What is that noise?  Let me see where that’s coming from.  No one is beside me right now, it’s me.  Do I really sound like a dying dog? Maybe I should slow down.  Just a quick glance over my shoulder to see who is behind me, great!  It’s the guy, I can’t slow down now.  My legs are burning, but I have to ignore the pain and keep going.

Mile 70

I can’t breathe…….I can’t breathe…..maybe I should stop, no! I have to keep going.  I’m starving.  I would love a warm plate of steak; mashed potatoes….I can almost taste the hot gravy.  I want to swallow, but every time I do, my throat feels as though I’m swallowing sand.  I can’t feel my legs anymore, I don’t even care!   I can do this, I know I can.

Mile 90

I hate this bike.  I hate this helmet. I hate this road. I hate that guy who is passing me again, but who cares? I don’t care!   Why in the world do people want to do this in the first place?  Are they all crazy?  Look at them!  Passing me by like I’m some sort of an idiot.  You know what I think?  I think they’re the idiots!

Mile 97

Almost there, I can’t believe it! I’m so hungry.  I’m so, so tired.

Mile 99

I don’t know if I can make it.  I can’t breathe….I can’t feel my body! Look at all these people with their smug little grins.  I’ve never felt closer to death, than at this moment.

Mile 100

I made it!  I knew I could do it! It wasn’t so bad, maybe I’ll do it again next year!