An attitude adjustment.

I have been feeling a bit... a bit crazy about feeling I was capable of inclusion in the Race Across America. It's a LONG way across the country. I know folks who are VERY capable cyclists who have tried without success to finish RAAM. I know many more very capable cyclists who have never tried. I've been told there's only one thing worse than a DNF (Did Not Finish) and that's a DNS (Did Not Start)

Part of what has had me doubting my sanity is that there are many people who out ride me, faster on the flats, stronger on the hills. What on earth makes me feel that I can successfully compete in RAAM?

In the last couple of weeks two events have happened that make me begin to think this just might be possible.
1) I rode century rides over hilly terrain two consecutive days with a strong riding friend. The first day he buried me on the hills. We finished together but he was toying with me a bit. The second day began the same way. On the first hill, 9 miles with 2200 ft elevation gain, he pulled away quickly. But before too long I began to gain on him. I hadn't accelerated, he had slowed down. I reached the top of the hill several minutes before he arrived. We continued climbing a gentle grade for the next 30 miles. I arrived at the end of this climb 18 minutes before he did. The rest of the day continued the same way.

2) I had the opportunity to observe a friend ride the Furnace Creek 508. He finished just a few minutes off of my time last year. A slow pace for sure, but the difference between our two rides was huge. I was ready to ride more. No issues whatsoever. My friend struggled for every mile. I have ridden long distances with him, he's no slouch.

In choosing my Furnace Creek 508 "totem" I told the race director that I chose Desert Coyote because like a coyote, I'm not the strongest, not the fastest, but just like that coyote you see loping across the desert with his tongue hanging out, I am relentless.

My strength is in my endurance.

That might just be enough.