A Lot Can Happen In 12 Hours

The week before an endurance event is very difficult for me. With all of the so called training behind me, its like "what do I do now?". I know its important to stay loose,stretch,eat well, and do some short/spin rides. I get that. I understand that. However, I happen to like riding my bike for hours. I call it my lifestyle. My bike= happiness. Any and every chance I get to ride I take it. I have never not wanted to ride my bike. So here I am, trying to stay busy.trying to keep my mind from rambling. I start hearing , " What are you gonna do now?" or" I wanna go ride, so lets just go ride". Its like a fight club in my head. I need to get my head 'right' this week. Kick all the negative chatter and self doubt OUT. "Can I really do 7 laps?" " Why do I ride a single speed" " wouldnt you have a better chance on gears" " did I train enough" " did I set my goal too high" " why on earth do you do this" " its gonna be cold" Yeah, I know , some of it makes no sense.

Last year the Burnin' was my 1st 12 hr event. I rode with ignorance and a lot of rage. About a month before the race I found out my mom had breast cancer. That was the rage. { She is good now} I did not have a clue how timing was done, how to handle pits, how to pace myself, or how to fuel the body. This year I do have a better grasp on these variables. I have a lot of you to thank for that. Answering my endless questions . Letting me in on what you put in your bottles. Plus having a 24 hr and another 12 under my belt helps to boost my confidence.

Now I feel like a 6 yr old waiting for Santa. Excited, nervous,and anxious describe some of it. I also expect to be throwing up in my mouth sometime tomorrow, maybe sooner. The 2009 Burnin' was a life changing event . I had not won a race before,stood on a podium, or enjoyed the 15 seconds of fame. That was really cool, but, most importantly I learned that I could do anything I set my mind to. Priceless! I have not been chasing podiums this year. Not my style. I like to push myself when I think there is no more push left in me. Mind over body. I like to be outta my box, outta my comfort zone. Achieve just one more lap than last time. Better my time . Embrace the pain in my body and mind. Beating myself .

I have set a 7 lap goal for myself this year. I had mentioned that to someone and they said" On that?" while pointing to my bike. Of course on that I said. I know that only 2 fellas have done 7 laps on ss at Burnin'. Well, the way I see it, that small club needs a female member . So, why not me? If you see me out there please holler at me to keep pedaling. Until then I will keep wondering " Did I bite off more than I can chew?"