Stage 19

34.49 miles in 1:37:05 for an average speed of 21.32 mph. I felt pretty strong today. Sleeping in till 5:30 was really nice and I was well rested. Bill and Andrew helped by letting me chase them. They started 5 minutes ahead of me and it motivated and focused me to push hard. I first caught sight of them at Chad's home which is about 3/4ths of the way around the 18 mile loop. At that time I was still 2 minutes back. They got to the end of the loop first by something around a minute before me (maybe they know exactly how long?- Bill timed that I was 1.5 minutes behind and that they had averaged 20.5 mph). They stopped and I continued on a second loop. I had averaged 22 mph on the first lap, but I was weakening by then and the wind was stronger the second time around so I could not hold the pace.

I drank 1 quart and ate 600 calories. Lost 5 lbs. which is probably why I was totally spent at the finish. It was a warm 70 degrees out which is also why I lost so much water. Average heart rate 152 bpm. Except for the downhills I kept my heart rate at 158 bpm.

Wildlife: 1 rabbit and 1 deer.

Stage 20 (the final stage) tomorrow is 90.72 miles.