I can’t believe I’m already nervous
Susan and I just got into Leadville. It’s 3pm, which means that pretty
much exactly two days from this moment, I’ll know whether that sub-9
time is mine.
And i’ve already got butterflies in my stomach. Yeesh.
37 Comments
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Comment by sans auto | 08.9.2007 | 1:35 pm
I used to have a poster in my room that read, “Get enough rest, eat right, drink plenty of fluids and go like hell”.
Nothing to be nervous about, just pedal fast in a big gear… for 8.5 hours. It’s like NASCAR: go fast, turn left… except you should pedal circles, not ovals. Oval chainrings are way out of style.
Good luck to you! You’ve got the best crew possible
Comment by DerekB | 08.9.2007 | 1:40 pm
Your all there. . . start smart and enjoy the ride. Sub-9 is going to seem easy. . .
Good Luck!
Comment by axel | 08.9.2007 | 1:43 pm
… and butterflies is a code word for what, dr fuentes?
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 08.9.2007 | 2:08 pm
All my best race results came after an extended period of anxiousness. You’ll find that if you respect the nerves and double check everything you’ll drop into THE ZONE very quickly once you start pedalling on Saturday.
Have a great ride and a great time, all of you.
Comment by MTB W | 08.9.2007 | 2:08 pm
Take a deep breath and relax those clenched fists. You’ll kick butt on Saturday!
Comment by Big Boned | 08.9.2007 | 2:17 pm
Rock on Fatty! You might need to throw in some right turns too. If you just go left as Sans suggests, from what I remember, you’ll go off-course (which could negatively effect your time).
Comment by Mrs. Coach | 08.9.2007 | 2:27 pm
You’re going to be great, just try to keep it all in perspective. Even professional cyclists get nervous before their big races.
Comment by Al Maviva | 08.9.2007 | 2:43 pm
Oh my lord! You look like you gained 20 pounds. What have you been eating? Oh, this can’t be good… I think you need to go for a jog or two before you start riding… maybe some deep knee bends and situps too.
;-O
Seriously, good luck Fatty. Dig deep, bro. Savor it.
Comment by Born4Lycra | 08.9.2007 | 3:05 pm
I’m just a little concerned with your lean to port. Has one leg suddenly got shorter or is the new seat having a small effect on your body geometry. Still you’ve got all the details covered, the best crew and the best looking tops – no worries. Enjoy.
Comment by Mike from Melbourne | 08.9.2007 | 3:32 pm
Have a great race Fatty. You’ll be flying on Saturday.
Comment by SkinnyCyclist | 08.9.2007 | 3:35 pm
Good luck! And don’t worry about the nerves. All part of racing and feeling alive!
Comment by jboy | 08.9.2007 | 3:59 pm
random blog reader here – i’ll be out there taking pictures. Put phat smile on your mug if you see a crazy guy hanging out a tree with a digital camera
Comment by JET(not a nickname) | 08.9.2007 | 3:59 pm
I find that after I throw up, I’m good to go. And I’ve shed some useless weight as well!
Comment by bikemike | 08.9.2007 | 4:22 pm
jet said it right
throw up, you’ll feel better.
if you throw up on dug, you’ll feel even better.
good luck
Comment by Walter | 08.9.2007 | 6:11 pm
Go get ‘em, Fatty!! With that crew and rig, not to mention the hard work and training, there will be no stopping you!! Good luck & enjoy all the moments.
Comment by Big Ring | 08.9.2007 | 6:46 pm
Fatty – it’s just a ride . . . . yeah right! I totally get your head space. Try not to sweat it, keep busy and once the gun goes you’ll settle in.
Good luck & have fun!
Comment by MAJ Mike | 08.9.2007 | 7:25 pm
Kick ass, Sea Bass.
Comment by ChinookPass | 08.9.2007 | 8:39 pm
No pressure dude, but us who live vicariously through your reckless life are counting on you for a sub-9. If not, why should we go on? And toss a pump in Landis’ spokes would ya?
Comment by Big Mike In Oz | 08.9.2007 | 9:52 pm
Al,
Don’t stress him like that so close to the big day. It’s just a fat shirt.
Mike
Comment by Weean | 08.9.2007 | 11:49 pm
I’ve noticed that whenever I get really anxious, I start yawning. I’ve also noticed that when I approach any physical activity with big yawns, I go better.
Just keep yawning, Fatty. Plus it’ll really freak Landis out to get passed by some guy in a fat cyclist jersey who calls out “On your left”, then does a big yawn as he pulls alongside.
I mean real yawns, not ‘technicolour yawns’, which is slang for vomiting where I come from.
Comment by buckythedonkey | 08.10.2007 | 12:24 am
Best 6f 34c2 0ate.
…or, with Num Lock turned off…
Best of luck mate. Eat well, sleep sound, spalm liberally and ride like a complete nutter. You’re going to do it.
You’re going to do it again in 2008. On a Waltworks.
Comment by Uncadan8 | 08.10.2007 | 2:22 am
Good luck, fatty! I am sure you will meet your goal, just like you did with the B7 Challenge (in which I owe you some stuff). Can I bring it by in a few weeks? I’ll be in the area for LOTOJA.
Comment by TIMK | 08.10.2007 | 3:18 am
Wish your site had the cool follow the racers in live time GPS like some of the TDF sites have, so that we could watch the Fatty dot move along the track at a startling pace.
I guess we might have to settle for a Shadow Scythe cartoon summary of the event. Maybe butterfly energy can be captured, harnessed and propel you across the finish line in under 9.
Comment by RoadRage | 08.10.2007 | 3:59 am
Just a quick note – - does anyone else find it odd that Lance is NOT riding in Leadville and yet he’s here in Colorado, or was yesterday according to the news. I bet he wants Fatty’s autograph
Comment by RubyBlue | 08.10.2007 | 4:04 am
Go (not so)fatty, Go! You can do it!
Comment by Eufemiano Fuentes | 08.10.2007 | 4:25 am
yes, yes, you have the ‘butterflies’ already. I checked UPS tracking and they say you received them yesterday.
What I want to know is when I will receive my Benjamins!!
Gim em hell FC
Comment by Phil Liggett | 08.10.2007 | 4:37 am
And so, less than 2 days before the first pedal will been turned in ANGER!
FC – be the little man with the big heart
Comment by Boz | 08.10.2007 | 4:50 am
Phil – you forgot your other catch phrase that applies here dur to all the side bets. “these are desperate men”.
Comment by SpikeBlue | 08.10.2007 | 6:24 am
You know what will help with those butterflies? Go get some new bike shoes and wear them in the race. I hear this works for Tour de France teams.
If you happen to see/pass Landis, make sure you give him some ever so useful Fat Cyclist advice. I’m sure he will appreciate it.
Good luck to everyone riding, and kudos to your support crews!
Comment by Libby | 08.10.2007 | 6:43 am
Fatty
First post—you’re going to do great. Remember, Armstrong was so intimitaded by you that he dropped out!! Whatever you do, don’t watch Finding Nemo the night before—Ellen Degeneres in your head saying “Just keep swimming” for 8+ hours—brutal. Best of Luck!!
Comment by Dave Nice | 08.10.2007 | 6:45 am
Leave some scorch marks on the trail!
Kick some butt!
Comment by regina | 08.10.2007 | 6:58 am
your fine, butterflies are just pretty little things, this is your year, good luck.
Comment by hades | 08.10.2007 | 7:16 am
You’ll be fine fatty, it’s just matter of pedaling for a few hours with a bunch of other people. You’ll kick butt and take names, and all will be right in the world as you savor the sub-9…
Comment by Stephanie | 08.10.2007 | 7:47 am
you can do it!!!!! and, that iphone is pretty cool. I’m totally playing into Apple’s mktg plan
Comment by jboy | 08.10.2007 | 8:59 am
Being a total utter fanboy here (sorry), but i agree with RoadRage – Lance was spotted in Boulder this morning (Friday).
Comment by GenghisKhan | 08.10.2007 | 10:59 am
So, should we be taking bets on whether of not the Lance changes his mind last minute and decides to ride Leadville?
Comment by jboy | 08.10.2007 | 11:05 am
…either that or he’s doing 5430 half triathlon in Boulder on Sunday. I would place money on leadville and the PR denials was just so that half the world doesn’t invade the little town and put the spotlight on him.