Veronica Rivera (D 83-USA)

At the end of the 2nd stage, the bivouac atmosphere is heavy with heat and tiredness ;  not all competitors have arrived yet.  Sparkly Veronica Rivera (D 83-USA) is going up the alley between tents, smiling broadly.

Today the thought she could manage the stage fairly comfortably. But the stifling heat made worse by the reflection on the dried up has shattered her self-confidence.

“I thought flat terrain would be easier than the climbs, but such endless flat stretches... You can’t even build a strategy to bear up: you just have to put one foot in front of another. It felt like I was in an oven, like my guts were going to explode and it was never ending! I’ve had to tap so deep in my supllies, I wonder how I’m going to manage the long stage. My spirits were so low that I called my boyfriend ; sometimes you just need to talk, to get some comfort. And it worked, he encouraged me. I have realized a whole group of friends and family (about 80 of them by now!) follow me and the race, sometimes in real time, and support me. Tomorrow, when night falls, I will get all tgeir emails out and read them again to get courage… Also I’m supposed to go straight back to work when this is over (Veronica lives in Dubaï where she works for Black Ross, the biggest Middle-East assets management company). But my boss, who also supports me, said I could have a day off, so my boyfriend has organized a surprise three days outing!” Her face lights up.

“Tomorrow, a small group of us will be running together. On the long run, it’s good to be stimulated sometimes and to agree to slow down to recover. That’s easier in a group.”
The interview ends on this mix of joy  and apprehension. Tomorrow will bring the answers.