Well...its official, I think I finally lost my damn mind!
As of last week I'm now a member of the 2011 Death Ride team. Did I just say that out loud...yikes!?! They say, admitting to it is the first step...haha! This truly came out of left field for me since I didn't sign up for it.
When it was found out that I was passed over for a staff position on the TNT AMBR/STP team, I suddenly became fresh meat...and the vultures of the TNT Death Ride (DR) team came a callin':-o I was unaware at the time, but there was some amazingly sweet and supportive calls and emails made on my behalf from former teammates, that prompted the cycle manager (with the support of the head coach) to contact me. I expressed my known concerns and they were fully willing to work with me.
I weighed my options for several days with input from friends, pro/con lists and a talk with my horse (yes, she needed to know & yes, I talk to my horse). In the end, the support and encouragement from my personal cycling network of friends, my Sports Injury (SI)Doc and bike shop brought me to the conclusion to agree to join the team. This was an opportunity that may never come along again...so, "why not"
My initial concerns was first, my body's ability...and my cycling SI doc gave me the green light & committed to keep my body healthy through the season & has already set me up on a nutritional plan. The one change she prescribed, as a "must"...better bike and gearing.
That brings me to my second concern...proper equipment. I love my bike but "B" has taken me as far as he can go and this task is bigger than he was built for. I started researching newer bikes online. During a conversation, while I was processing my decision whether or not to join the DR team, the owner of the bike shop offered me an amazing opportunity...to build me a custom bike for this event! A new bike was not on my radar or in my budget. He purposed a P/T work trade (to administer/manage his bike team) in exchange for me getting much more bike than I could have ever afforded. Its very exciting but I think I sold my soul on this one...haha!
As you can see, its definitely going to take a village to get me through this training and the event! And having everyone stepping up, has been amazing. Some of my dearest villagers have also been offering up their time (to ride together) & emotional support...which may be called upon as I move further into the training season.
I was lucky to also not have to fund-raise this season but the irony is they appointed me to be the "Fundraising Captain" for the team! A cruel joke indeed, since now my worry will go way beyond myself and onto my entire team's success with their fundraising goals...cue the Pepcid!
At this moment I haven't convinced myself I will complete the final event. All I can do now is trust the system and the coaches. I'm committed (or I should be) to put my best effort into this and see how it plays out. I definitely have more will and tenacity than I have athletic ability.
My life in general has been about pushing through challenges, fears and naysayers to reach goals. This event will be an extreme version of pushing my limits and cutting through the doubts...its another unexpected step in my journey.
