I read Craig’s post, and I have to say “Unless you have been then you can’t understand.” Until Craig finishes the 203 miles, he won’t know if he can. What do you do when you have nagging doubts?
As Clint Eastwood says “The man’s got to know his limitations,” and since I know Craig’s fitness levels, I have no doubt that he is ready to tackle the ride. I have confidence in Craig because he has ridden many miles, and his overall fitness level is high. I have witnessed Craig attacking the hills when we ride barely breaking a sweat, or running out of gas. He has to remember these times when he feels tired or wonders if he is going to make it.
When my confidence starts to sag on a ride, I know for me a couple of situations could be true at that point:
1 – I am really in over my head and I have no business finishing what I am trying to do. Like the time I decided to do my first triathlon. It was an 800 meter swim, 25 mile bike and a 6 mile run. I thought I was in shape from running about 25 miles a week, but I had spent NO TIME in a pool and 2 days on a bike. I was 25 years old and thought “no big deal I can do it.” I was ½ way through the swim and thought “What did I get myself into?” I finished the race and said “I will be in shape next time.” So if you decided to do STP a month ago and you want to do it in one day – forget about it.
2 – My body is telling my head something and I need to listen.
What could your body be saying? I am not eating or drinking enough. I might have the flu – like last year on STP when I caught a bug. I am going way too fast for my fitness level, and I need to slow down. Many times if I eat or drink more or I slow down my pace; my body starts to tell me all is OK.
3 – My 2nd wind will come to me, and I have been though it enough times in my training so I will be OK. In my mind, I draw on the many training rides like the 100 mile ride we did 3 weeks ago. I remembering working hard and getting after the training ride. I know my fitness level is good from the hard work all of us on our team have put into the training. Yes even Craig Hill. All the days spent training are like deposits in the bank. I know my fitness bank account is full of deposits due to riding consistently the past 4 ½ months. I plan on making a huge withdrawal on Saturday and I know I won’t be overdrawn.

Have fun and be safe on the STP – Rick Beitelspacher

Two days to go and we're putting our bikes away until the big ride.
If there is anything else we need to do physically to get ready for the 203-mile STP, it's way too late.
As Rick Beitelspacher says, "The hay is in the barn."
Everybody on the team seems confident. Considering they've all done this before, this is good to see.
I, on the other hand, am not so sure.
While the team insists that I'm ready, I just looked at my training log. In three months I've pedaled 1,000 miles. That might sound like a lot, but that's less than 100 miles per week. Throw in another 500 miles on the trainer and the stationary bike and I'm still about 500 miles short of the mileage I'd hoped to amass during training.
That said, I know the first 100 miles won't be a problem. And I ought to be able to make it the last 20, with the finish line so close. It's miles 110-180 that make the most nervous.
A 10-day vacation in late June didn't help my training any and ensured that I will suffer for long stretches on Saturday.
But whenever I get too nervous, I remember the only other time I rode the STP. I did it in two days, however my training included less than 200 miles and I did the ride on a 43-pound, full-suspension mountain bike. The guy at the REI bike shop actually called me a moron for doing this. I averaged about 14-15 mph, and spent about 8 hours in the saddle each day. Talk about painful.
Maybe this year's ride will actually be easier.

If you didn't see today's Adventure section, you missed some tips for handling riding with the masses in Saturday's STP and a good tip on dealing with the sun from the Gear Guy, Douglas Gantenbein.

Click below to read the Gear Guy's advice on UV protection.

=> Read more!