I need Karma, advice, something

[HoosierGiant]

We are always capable of sooo much more than we think we are. Absolutely, you can do it! If you can do 25-30, you can do 50. Yes, you can! Concentrate on enjoying yourself; focus on the natural beauty around you and the sometimes humorous behavior of other riders you'll see along the way; stay hydrated; stay fueled; and have fun, fun, fun!!

Without a doubt, crossing the finish line is a grand accomplishment, but it's the journey that teaches us the life lessons. I keep the following quote on my cycling bulletin board:

Out here
the only decisions
really are
where to stop
where to rest
how to take your lessons home.
~~ Lizzie Wann, "Freeway"

Here's to a successful 50 miles and the lessons you'll learn about yourself along the way! You go, girl!!

[Blueberry]

DDH-

I think you CAN do the 50. I've had some mental blocks - and I did an 80 mile ride last year, with my longest ride being 40. I believed I could do it, and I rested, ate and paced myself as I needed to. I finished, and finished strong.

So...my vote is go for it!!!

[wackyjacky1]

Ditto on the above! Relax and have fun. I love the quote that HoosierGiant posted, it's good advice to keep in mind.

Back when I used to ride a lot, I did long, organized rides all the time. I realized that I usually finished near the back of the pack (with the old folks and little kids ) but I found that it didn't bother me because I just really enjoyed being out there on my bike.

You can do it!

[uforgot]

and be sure and give us a full report after the ride!

[kat_h]

You could try my strategy and stop for a bowl of soup 2/3 of the way through.

[Flybye]

Think of it as 2 - 25 mile rides. If you are feeling like quitting, make sure you let yourself rest for at least half an hour and have something to eat at the start of the half hour rest.
I really think you will surprise yourself!

[Zen]

Read this and have no doubt.
http://www.blueridgeoutdoors.com/con...oy-of-Failure/

Credit bouncybouncy for the original post, it really stuck with me.

[cycle]

If you can do 25 miles with no problem you can do 50 with no problem! You are fighting a mental battle, like a previous poster suggested, break it up into two 25 mile rides with a lunch stop in the middle. You can do it and you will feel so good afterwards.

I always find that my biggest challenges are mental not physical and that I have to play mental games with myself when I am having a rough time. A few years ago I did Pedal the Peaks out west a couple times which is a week of climbing, all.day.long., about 600 miles for the week. I would just have to say, ok just make to that tree and then you can stop, then I would make it to the tree and I would say ok make it to the pole and then you can stop, I would do that for hours. Sounds fun huh? It was the best actually.

You can do it, sending riding Karma your way!

[DDH]

I like that article. I failed 2 years ago, one reason because I did not eat breakfast. Now I know better than to try to go out there and ride with out eating something first, for any distance anyway.

That article is sooo true, but I never thought of it that way. To fail is to know I am trying.

Okay, so I won't worry about not finishing and just try. I've been so worried that I wouldn't be able to do it once again, that I haven't even tried.
How wasteful of me.

Thanks girls for all the advice and support. I'm going to turn my bike to the 50 miler.

[HoosierGiant]

I'd done imperial centuries the year before, but my longest ride prior to last year's 160-mile RAIN (Ride Across INdiana) was 80 miles. I was having soooo much fun that the miles just flew by!! The mind is truly an awesome thing. Partner it with grit, will, and determination, and anything can happen!