I leave for RAGBRAI this Friday. I have a lot of fears that I will be facing. What are they, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
1) Fear of the heat- the ride support is in service from 6am-6pm. I'm going to try and get an early start each day but not sure if I will be able to wake up. I am taking a camel pack, a bottle of water on my bike and I have a basket for extra water. I have sunscreen and sunglasses. I'm from Florida, for Pete's sake. I think I know how to deal with heat.
2) Fear of no support- I went on a bike ride in Winter Garden in April and the support packed up and left before I finished. No bueno.
3) Fear of support-My goal is to not use the SAG Wagon. That's a pretty name, right? I am sagging. Please come pick me up.
4) Fear of leaving my kids-I have never been away this long without at least one of my kids. I know they are practically grown, but...
5) Fear of leaving my house-We have always gone on staycations. never away from home much. Did I pay all of the bills? Will my house burn down? Will a hurricane hit?
6) Fear that my body will shut down-I have been doing strength training 2-3 times a week since mid-may. I have been doing cycle classes about twice a week. I'm still not in the best of shape, but it's too late now.
7) Fear of not getting enough sleep-we are camping every night. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Thursday night I am staying with my friend Ray. yay! Hot shower and a bed. And he promised to make me French toast for breakfast.
8) Fear that Jennifer and I won't be friends when this is over- We did the Winter Garden bike ride together. I didn't really care for her style of encouragement. She would tell me to "try a little harder." What? Try a little harder? I'm busting my arse here. She is 11 years younger, naturally athletic, her thighs are 6 feet long, she has a nicer bike....I've lived a fairly sedentary life until now, my thighs are 2 inches long and I'm riding a borrowed mountain bike. YOU try a little harder to shhhh...I told her that maybe we should not ride together. She could go on a ahead and wait for me. We'll discuss this more when we get there.
9) Fear that my arse will fall off- Not that that would be a bad thing but I am really worried about said body part. I've got padded shorts and balms but still afraid.
10) Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of judgment-Good thing I have Jennifer with me since she has done this for more than 10 years. Everyone knows I am going on this ride, what if I fail. Will they say, " I knew you wouldn't make it"
Most of these fears are unfounded but they are still there. I am ready to face them. I got this.
