I dread tomorrow morning so very much.

I fear I am less prepared this year than previous MS-150s, and I don’t recall those being enjoyable despite relatively pleasant weather. Why I return for my 4th year I cannot say.

During lunch we recalled lasting memories of pain including getting on the bike the second day, and the few miles experienced after taking each break. The mornings are wet and cold, the body fights commands to operate, and returning to the saddle after already wearing yourself out is uncomfortable. Other memories are blurred or don’t exist — after a while rational thought is simply replaced with staring blankly at asphalt, avoiding potholes, counting the road’s paint lines… stripe… stripe… stripe…

This week I’ve been drinking like mad, and as of today loading carbs. Dinner will likely be a feast of more pasta. Between that and the fat already stored, I’m certain I’ll have enough fuel available to ride, I’m just not sure how well the fuel-to-energy conversion will go. Recent carbs go pretty quickly, and the fats follow with time, but also require energy to convert so I must consume constantly. From experience I know I burn around 12 to 13,000 calories for the weekend on the bike, minus those from peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches and gatorade from rest-stops all day. I’d love to retain the inevitable weight-loss, but regardless of what I burn, I’m certain to replenish whatever is lost due to the hunger that follows the ride. Doesn’t that sound healthy?

I’m about to leave early for the day so I can gather everything for a weekend on the bike, and this time my body is as nervous as my brain. Or it may just be too much pasta for lunch.

I hope you have a pleasant weekend.