and smiling and tearing up and feeling a little guilty for not putting up pictures yet or adding some more of the "back story" to the blog. But mostly, I'm once again feeling so thankful for you all. As I think about the mental preparation needed for the IB5000, you're words of encouragement and confidence in me is so very meaningful.
While the physical preparation is no joke (thank you "Biggest Loser" DVDs), the mental aspect of the pending ride is more daunting to me.
It's one thing to ride, throttle wide and road stretching out before you, it's a whole other world when you're hunting points. The miles and hours give you plenty of time to question your routing, if you made the right choices, did you do what you were suppose to at the last stop to earn the points, is the next one a day or night bonus, should I get gas now or stop later, can I push now and still be good for later.... the second and triple guess your every move. I've only competed in a 36-hour rally, so a 130+ hour extravaganza is a whole other beast.
I can't imagine trying this without even this experience. Thanks to Rally Master (affectionately known as the Rally Bastard) Rick Miller for the challenging Mason-Dixon 20-20 rides the last two years. Who would have known? Last year Jennifer kept saying, "you know you're going to try to get into the Iron Butt Rally." And I kept insisting that I wasn't ready.... and then Lisa Landry's email arrived. Ah, how the Fates do have fun with us.
Ta-ta for now... I'll see about adding to the 100CCC write-up. Including such fun as the time I ran out of gas, for the second time :)
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