Quote Originally Posted by andtckrtoo View Post
At 44, my friends will dsmiss my accomplishments with a wave by saying, "Oh, but you're sooo athletic...." Those comments still make me stop and wonder who the heck they are talking about? Me?! The one EVERYONE picked last for sports? The one who could not even run 1/4 mile at 16?! It's amazing how simply making choices, like choosing to train and ride a century ride, can influence the rest of our lives so much. Seriously, if I can do it, you can. I'll be here in California cheering you on!

That comment really hit a chord with me. I was put into REMEDIAL PE in elementary school. (That's back when California could actually fund such programs). I dreaded the Presidential Physical Fitness tests - especially the 1/4 mile. By high school I was going to the nurse's office instead of going to PE at all. I generally didn't even give people an opportunity to pick me last. I just didn't show up.

In the past 8 years, I've done 4 marathons, 9 double centuries, a 600k, countless 200ks and centuries and am now head coach for TNT's North Bay Death Ride team, having ridden and/or coached the Death Ride 5 times. All of that started with a challenge to a coworker to do a marathon with TNT.

Good luck. Don't sweat it. You'll be great!