So here are my options:
1.) Destroy myself for the next 20 days and hope it's enough, then go to Kansas and give it my best. Hope that life and work don't throw any more curveballs so I can actually destroy myself.
2.) Don't even try it. Realize that epic failure will really screw up my thoughts for any future ones.
3.) Go for 100 miles, and give that my all. This is pretty much 2 with a consolation to my ego.
4.) Lean back, say "screw it", and give it my best shot. Don't sweat training - it's too late for any real impact anyway - and just give it everything I've got.
Right now 2 and 4 are the options I'm most seriously considering. However, here's the problem with 'em. This is 200 flippin' miles of gravel in the middle of nowhere, not a ride out to Cortland, it's not really to be toyed with. If I screw up out there, or the Leg Cramps From Hell's Own Heart come back, it's on me.
Thing about 2 is, I can lick my wounds, learn from my (ample, abundant, constant) mistakes from this winter/spring and really put effort toward the 2009 GLGA AWESOMENESS and really finishing this life change.
Other part of me goes well hell, you've done a great job getting this far by avoiding the real tough stuff so either keep putting it off, or man the hell up and ride. There's always going to be excuses. There's always going to be something in the way. But if.. just if.. I man up and finish the thing it will erase the need to lick those wounds. It will just wipe 'em the hell away, and really bring about the Next Level I've been working so hard for.
See.. my wife said something that snapped me out of it. Do you watch the Biggest Loser? I think I've vented about it once or twice but the last episode.. man. Let me put it this way, it takes a whole hell of a lot for a show to tear me up - and I can't recall "reality" TV ever doing it - but the last ep sure did. Ron - aka the Godfather - dug deeper than.. anything I've seen and finished a marathon. With a cane. And a bad knee. And EMT's telling him to stop. Walking for 13 hours he did it.
The more I type, the more I know my mind is already made up.
9 comments:
Give it the best you can at that time. That's all you can do. I totally understand about workloads, missed personal goals and such. Hang in there!
Kanza looks like one heck of a hard ride and 200 miles is a long way but it's doable. If you're going to do it go for some really long training rides before then so you can dial in the nutrition aspect of your ride. Figure out what and how much to eat and drink to keep yourself going. That's almost more important that the physical fitness part of the ride. Kanza isn't a time to look to scrimp on calories. Then take it easy the week before your big day so you'll be fully recovered and give it all you've got. You can do it. You'll find it's a lot more mental than physical after you get past mile 70. At that point if you keep the nutrition going it's a test of determination. Go for it!
05/31 you'll look at this post and wonder how you ever considered option #2.
I agree with Mike J. Do what you can but make sure you get some rest in before the big day.
Keep on keepin on Ben. =)
I know what you mean about the wieght! I thought I could "easily" take off 10 stinking pounds for May 2nd's ride. Nada!
I would say doing #4 is about the only thing that is going to right your situation. Might even push you through your mental block you might be having on issues outside of biking. Never know!
BTW, getting a pro bike fitting done in two weeks. If everything is ok and I get the OCR fitted and I can ride and get a couple of metrics in this year, then I'm pulling the trigger on the LHT frame.
Jerry
what would lance do.....just do your best and the very best luck
You know what to do. I look forward to hearing about your experience.
Damn, thanks everybody! 4 it is, definitely, goona give it the best shot I've got. 3 days off before the ride, the next 19 spent learning how to spin without mashing (one of my constant problems).
It's going to be an experience, that's for sure :)
Number 4! Go out and have a good time!
Fuggit. Man up. Bring a cell. And a Camelback or three. Stop when you need to stop. Go when you need to go. Even if you pull DFL, you'll at least have done it. Screw that 100 mile nonsense. All the way or none of the way I say.
You got it. Just pace yourself.
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