Century nears!!

[latelatebloomer]

I AM getting psyched! So many nice things are happening. A very nice benefit of my summer training - my trainer's face as he saw me in person for the first time since the end of March! (he's away all racing season, but kindly kept helping via email and phone.) When I show up at the gym, the cyclists run over and say "rest phase! rest phase!" I feel the love!

Regina, thanks for checking in on the weather. I'm afraid to look. Shall we TE'ers attempt some sort of meeting? Are we all going to the breakfast in the morning?

I'm bringing my helmet to work so my dudes with brain-injury, who inspired me to start using this healthy body I'm so lucky to have - and who have cheered me on from my first struggling miles - can sign it. I told them it's so they can "tap" me on the head if I think of quitting. I call one of the guys my assistant trainer. He was a high school athlete, about to go into the Marines, when he was in a terrible car wreck. Twelve years later, he still battles to learn to walk. He has terrible memory and self-control problems, but remembers how to train and has given me absolutely priceless support and inspiration. And I swear that when I have felt overwhelmed, he's shown up in spirit.

I ordered 2 rain jackets (but it won't rain, right?) so I can pick the best. I'm going to the fabric store to get material to make some armwarmers (don't know how, but there's a sewing maching around here somewhere!)

I'm babbbling! I MUST be excited!! Gotta go!!

[7rider]

DH and I are staying at a bed-and-breakfast about 20 miles south of the University. So, our b'fast is covered.
I still haven't gotten DH to commit to a departure time. I want early. He votes for later. I'd like to ride with some friends of mine who are doing the ride - and try to spot some TE folks if I can find them - but DH wants to hook up with folks from our LBS, who will likely be wearing the shop jerseys (The Bicycle Place - look for them, in orange or pink or blue).
Last year we decided we'd ride independently "next time" - him with the hammerheads and me with a more reasonable crew. But now he doesn't want to ride without me.
Sigh.
Who knows???
All, I know is - ready or not, we're heading to the Eastern Shore this Friday!

[Bad JuJu]

Just been checking out this thread--my own century is in three more weeks. I'm doing the metric, but still got the same excited/elated/scaredy butterflies. Good luck and have fun to both of you!

[RoadRaven]

LLB, Regina, JuJu, Cyclesome, MickChick... and anyone else getting ready to do centuries

Have fun, enjoy... still one of my goals before the year is out... you gals inspire me, and I'm well impressed... looking forward to hearing about them

[megandmac]

I am doing the Seagull for the first time this year am excited and nervous all at the same time. (Last year was supposed to be my first time, but I, too, decided not to make the drive from NoVa to face the bad weather. At least I've just had another year to train.)

We have the hotel breakfast thing and are hoping to get to the start early. We're staying, also, about 30 minutes from the ride starts so while good in theory it may not work out in actuality. On Friday, we're hoping to get to MD early enough to get to the welcome reception, as well.

I'll probably be wearing my Curious George bike shirt, so if you see me...say hi! (Or, call the SAG wagon to come get me, if I'm napping/passed out on the side of the road at mile 79!)

[latelatebloomer]

We're staying at the deluxe Best Value Inn, 5 miles from the University, and we're driving down from PA, hoping to leave mid-afternoon. We'll be doing that gear-up breakfast and the dinner buffet after. I'll write "latelatebloomer" under my number. My "other" name is Lynda Gene, BTW.

Megandmac, let's make a deal. I'll get you back on your bike if you're napping (makes me think of the poppies scene in the Wizard of Oz) and you'll get me back on mine if I'm whining, ok? As a last resort, make me mad. I recently discovered that I can ride very fast and strong when I'm angry!

I'll be in either red or shocking pink depending on the weather, a silver helmet with signatures on it, a big 40something cherokee looking rider with the dark braids. Riding relentlessly, relentlessly, relentlessly. I hope.

[SadieKate]

Riding, riding, in search of El Dorado.

Go for it! You put together a good structured training plan, you committed, you persevered, you're ready. Be sure to eat a good breakfast but limit the fats. Breakfasts at hotels prior to a century always take a bit of care.

May you blossom.