Wednesday, April 23, 2008

The View From Where I Sit... the pre-T.I. Freak-Out

So it happened tonight... I knew it would at some point this week -- the pre-Trans Iowa freak out. The "oh shit, I'm not prepared for anything" freak out, where I drove myself and probably my wife crazy blathering on about how stressed out I was about not having this or that ready for the race. What it was in reality was really insignificant though. Because bottom line, I'm stressed because I've never taken on a challenge of the same magnitude of what I'm about to take on with what's certain to be a very muddy Trans Iowa course this year.

Okay, so funny thing is, wife takes off to run some errands, and I start thinking through what I'm so "not prepared" for. Turns out it's all in my head... I'm just getting paranoid. Pre-race jitters. I've been obsessing about this race for months. The details will all fall into place, I just have to be ready for the events to take place. If it's muddy, it's going to be that way for everyone, and that's just a fact of life. If that makes it not a completable event, that's how it'll be. But if there's a chance, and I think I can make it in the time cutoff, I'll give it all I've got to try. We'll see how she goes...

So bottom line, I'm not freaking out anymore. I'm back to looking forward to T.I., come Hell or high water...

4 comments:

GNAT said...

Good luck MG and MW. Say hello to Mr. Meiser for me.

MG said...

Thanks Good Buddies. Jason especially. Man, I read your comment and I just got goosebumps. Thank you for the vote of confidence. I can simply say that I will do my best to make sure it is well founded.

But the good news is that I've got my work stuff taken care of, and my freelance stuff postponed 'til next week, so my focus is back solely where it needs to be. Because we've got our work cut out for us... That's what I'm hearing. It's not just going to be one for the gravel masters. It's going to be one for the Jedi masters. He, or She, who finishes T.I. this year will be the subject of stories for generations to come, I suspect. It's going to be that type of race, and there's only one way to find out who's bringin' the sack. So now...

IT'S TIME TO RIDE!

Thanks again for the kind words, gentlemen.

And Gnat, thank you so much for the support again this season. Without you, I'd be running this race (Gnat's the GM of Salsa Cycles, my bike sponsor). And yeah, I'll tell Joe howdy -- hopefully I'll be able to hold his wheel! I'm sure he'll be bringin' the wood, just like he always is. It'll be sweet to ride with him... Wish you were gonna' be there too, my friend.

Fucking eh... rollin'.

EXPO Racing said...

Man it takes me while to put things together...We never formally met, however you were great company for TI. That Salsa rocks too. I hope to ride with you again sometime soon!

MG said...

Thanks Constantine -- It was great to meet and ride with you too. Hopefully we'll get to ride again at the 'Kanza, and it'll end up a little more successfully (in terms of finishing) for both of us!

Regardless, it sure was a fun time! I apologize for not formally introducing myself. Next time we see eachother, I promise to take care of that!

In the meantime, have safe travels, and happy trails.

Cheers,
MG