Natasha is back in NYC. She has dermatological and plastic surgery specialists to see. She is in good spirit (we all know her - she might be one of those weird people that can find positive and good and all that… instead of blaming, getting depressed and being normal human), focusing on healing, work, and logistics of getting into next year race!
Here is excerpts from her recent e-mails:
“Just wanted to thank you for all of you support on Sunday night. Not sure what I would have done without you guys, my friends and fellow teammates. I’m obviously hugely disappointed, sore, angry and very upset still, but will be back on the road asap. Have spent the day going between the docs and the plastic surgeon but things seem to be healing ok – it certainly isn’t pretty though!!”
“Am more than happy to share info/gory details with the team and concerned parties so please do pass them on.
I am also really happy to be contacted either by e-mail, phone (347 – four five three – three seven one five) or have a visitors….the pain killers I am on are “awesome” so I can’t guarantee I’ll make any sense (no change there), but at least they make me feel good! 
My friends have been baby-sitting me and have been brilliant about helping me set up docs appointments etc.
Went to see plastics person yesterday and am due to go back tomorrow to have some of the stitches out. The bruising is coming out nicely so my face is turning all shades of yellow and blue. The left side of my head is still really sore but that is just bruising. I have attached a couple of piccies for your amusement!! My arms and knuckles are pretty torn up too but the rest of me is fine – unbelievable. I fully appreciate that it could have been a whole lot worse and that I am very very lucky. Doesn’t help with the mental loss of not completing the race, but I am thankful I’m not sat in a dentist chair talking about the need for major dental surgery etc.
Jacs popped in last night and said the bike had a cool battle wound on the left brake bar so I am looking forward to seeing that!! Hopefully there is no major damage elsewhere.
Am determined to get out there again asap, and if the eyes are ok I will have absolutely no excuse for not putting in a damn good effort at Timberman. ”
I was in contact with the race marshall on the bike course (on the motorbike) that witnessed Natasha’s crash and was first responder on the scene. He and his driver were off the bike and attended her and another rider within seconds of the crash, and stayed with her until the professional emergency first responders took over. His e-mail confirms our opinion on her hardiness, commitment and strong mentality:
“I was sorry that she was not able to compete and was impressed by her efforts to try to regain the race. My driver, Brian, and I were approximately 50 metres behind Natasha when the accident unfolded. As you know things happen extremely fast. The riders were on the long downhill near Keene (around the 19 mile mark).
Here is my assessment of what happened and what my driver saw. It looked like Natasha had passed another rider of the left and was doing great. She was near the center line and was headed back to the right when another rider in front of her cut out to pass. Natasha nicked his back wheel which, at that speed, caused her to wobble. The other rider continued on. She ended up not able to recover and began falling to the right. The bike immediately pitched her to the ground. She looked like she hit her left side. She was in the middle of the the right lane and another rider coming behind hit her immediately upon her falling in front of him. He was thrown over the handle bars and slid to a stop about 10 metres pass Natasha.
I attended to Natasha and Brian handled the other rider. The other rider was up, battered and ripped up, but continued on. We heard that he finished the race. Which is unbelievable after seeing his crash.
Upon getting to Natasha within seconds she was awake but in obvious shock. I was impressed that the first words out of her mouth was ‘how is my bike?’. She then apologized and told me ‘Sorry, I usually don’t cry this much’. She was bleeding heavily (at the aid station later they thought I was injured based on the blood on my hands, face and clothing). I checked for broken bones, neck and back injuries, etc. I asked Natasha some general questions to access her status. A local nurse showed up on the scene within 10 minutes and I provided my assessment. Natasha was able to move to the side of road, for safety reasons, and we re-accessed her with the EMS unit. She was given the recommendation that she should seek medical attention at the hospital. She made the right, but difficult, choice.”
It is done but it is not over. Ironman for most Lifers (see more on “most” below) is now a past experience with actual splits and finishing times, loads of laundry, credit card bills, and some mental luggage to sort through…
Average energy cost of running one mile – 100 kCal.
According to the Bay Area (California) newspaper 
Recent issue of German cycling magazine 
If you are planning on racing in Lake Placid next year (2010), no matter if you are intending to train with TriLife or on your own, one of your biggest immediate challenges is actually getting a race number. Athletes that are racing this year can register for 2010 on the Saturday, July 25th (day before the race). Registration will be 9:00 to 11:00 am in the Lake Placid High School gymnasium. 2009 athletes can only register themselves (must have 2009 wristband).
Evidence that Michael Conlon of 
even on vacation, even in Provence, even on the Tour de France stage. It would be very interesting to compare his ride time to the top of the Mont Ventoux against running up there. It also would be interesting to know how much faster he and other Lifers on this trip (see evidence of Jason “Flash” below) would climb without “discover local beers and wines” stops. 
