Friday, February 5, 2010

It's Happening

Today is Friday, I'm leaving on Wednesday and I'm racing next Saturday. It even scares me to write it down. Events are taking a life of their own. My wife wants to make life altering decisions (nothing negative, don't worry) and I just can't think about that right now. We've agreed to talk about it when I come back, but I can see that it's eating at her. I'm worried about my gear. With all the increased security screening, when they X-ray my luggage, they are going to see 4 large metal bottles (3 thermos and one empty fuel bottle). I have a feeling they will investigate. I just NEED my gear to make it to Anchorage.

Earlier this week I followed the Arrowhead 135, looking at runners drop one after the other. 45 runners started and 19 finished. They had very cold weather (-20F or -28C) at night and anyone who made sketchy equipment decisions was in for a world of hurt and had to drop. I believe that my gear would have been up to that challenge.

Something that really made it feel real, is when I started seeing the weather forecast for the start day on the 10 day forcast. A bit warm (barely above freezing during the day), with snow, snow, snow and more snow. At least I don't see a thaw. The snow is something else. Pulling a sled is not fun. Pulling a sled in soft snow is going to be interesting. Well it could be worse: I could be riding a bike in soft snow. That can't be easy. Maybe I'll need those snowshoes after all.

So me and Junior (that's for Sancho Junior, since Sancho the sled is not coming with me) are going to spend some quality time on the trail, just about a week from now.

5 comments:

chris mcpeake said...

Dont worry JD you are going to have a blast. It amazes me that you are doing this. Dont think its something I would even attempt. Cant wait to hear how it goes.

Caroline Novak said...

What an amazing adventure. There would be a million things going through my head if were embarking on that. So many details to work through, but I'm sure you'll be thrilled once you cross that start line! Can't wait to hear all about it, and that major life change you mentioned too :)

Anonymous said...

I'm so thrilled for you JD. I can't even imagine what you are about to embark on. Trust in your training and your gear and your ability. Something someone on Twitter told me the week before my first marathon last month was that dead legs will still follow a positive mind. Man...that really stuck with me. Just keep talking to yourself. Don't shut the *#@^ up...keep telling yourself how ready you are for this big goal and accomplishment! Stay focused and positive! I can't wait to hear the details. Wishing you all the luck in the world...though you won't need it!

David said...

Hey JD - All the best. Have a great race and enjoy it all. Takes a lot of guts to embark on an adventure like this. Go Get'em.
But BE SAFE.

Cheers
David

Can't wait for the report.

Nature Girl said...

JD - no matter what happens, it's going to be the adventure of a lifetime! Go get 'em!