I AM NOT AN ANIMAL
Several of you have asked how I can possibly do this (train, race, travel) at any level of proficiency, given my family, work, and personal responsibilities. Pretty simple, really. I don't sleep a whole lot, and I have a big enough ego that once I sign up for something (especially if it involves writing a check) I will figure out a way to get it done. If you eliminate TV, happy hour, meaningless conversations, and about 25% of your sleep hours, you can squeeze in an hour or so of training and no one will even know the difference. It helps if you have a slightly Type-A personality, but I really think if you're honest, ego (even if it's based in perfuming for the benefit of others) is a strong motivator. I've recently had some big lessons in humility, so it will be interesting to see what this event hold in store for me. Maybe I'll have a great race, maybe I'll have a flat tire and end up bawling at the side of the road with the kangaroos. Either way, it will be an experience, one that will teach me something, and raise some awareness for Youth Homes.
WHY ARE WE PAYING FOR YOU TO TAKE ANOTHER VACATION?
You're not. The first $3000 is matching my expenses, which I have already pre-paid for. If we don't get over $3000, I eat the expenses for the entire trip, and whatever money was raised goes directly to Youth Homes. My expenses have included airfare, accommodations, US team uniforms, physical therapy (hey, I'm old and broken,) bike shipping, race entries and insurance, and a case of Geritol. I was committed to doing this on my own; by engaging you all in the fundraising process, I can do a better job, and have a greater impact on a worthwhile organization. I can understand that some of you will look at what I'm doing and think that it must be nice to ride your bike and have someone else pay for it. All I can tell you is that I am putting my limited extra time into training as hard as I can, raising money as quickly and efficiently as possible, and shining a positive light on Youth Homes through a healthy, visible pursuit.
ARE YOU ANY GOOD AT THIS? ARE YOU GOING TO WIN?
Yes, and no. I placed 16th at USAT Nationals in Portland last fall, which earned me a spot on the US Team. They take 16 guys in my age group. So I go into the World Championships as the slowest guy on our squad. There will be 3000 people racing total, about 100 in my division. I will be extremely happy if I am somewhere in the middle of that group. I went to worlds in 2003 and 2005, and I placed 62nd and 59th. So I am not going to win anything. I want to beat some of the other "low qualifiers" from other nations. Beating a few Aussies or Canadians or Brits would be great. I'm definitely going after the Germans. And the French are, well, toast.
HOW ARE YOU REALLY GOING TO RAISE $10,000 IF I'M ONLY GIVING YOU FIVE BUCKS?
Just look who's in the White House. He got there by raising $5 a pop through Facebook. It's a question of how many contacts I, and you can make. I know this is a pain, that it's an email you'll probably want to delete every morning, but once you start reading about it, it will be easy, and even enjoyable. And I'm going to start sending pictures of cute kids, who are displaced, and who will tug at your heart. And you will melt, just like I have.
More on last minute training tomorrow. Send in your fivers, these kids need it, and I need a bottle of ibuprofen.
Jeremy
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