On lap four I really thought my legs were going to give out. I knew I would not be able to push this big gear up the hills for much longer. But then I felt a change in my body. It was adapting. I had a hard time believing it, but I was actually getting stronger the farther I rode. I started to use my back, stomach, and arms more than just my legs. I was learning that single speed riding is more of a whole body experience. Before I started the race, my goal was to finish within two laps of the winner. On the single, and with no support crew, I thought that was a good goal. I was only 20 minutes out of first place. Now I started to think I could be a factor in the race. I was in 5th place and I really wanted to be on the podium by the end.

At 3am I started to lose it. I had no energy, my balance was off, I couldn't stop yawning, and I couldn't eat. I knew I just had to keep focused until dawn. But when you feel like that, those last few hours before dawn are like waiting for a bus in the rain...you keep looking but it just doesn't come. The temperature was 19 degrees and the water jugs in my pit were starting to freeze. Fortunately, my North Face clothing kept me toasty warm. Not everyone was as prepared for the conditions: every time through the pit area I saw people sitting in cars with the engines running.