12 Hour Challenge

8,000 feet of climbing. 50 miles of punishing headwinds. As the day wore on, I had virtually abandonded the idea that I would be able to make my goal of 200 miles. With 3 hours to go, a 3 mile wrong turn and a 15 mile stretch straight into the winds whipping off the Delta, I settled in to just complete the race. 190 miles I figured. Not bad for a first time doing anything of the kind.

Forget that! Once I hit Winters and entered the 18 mile loop around the orchards, I quickly realized that 200 miles was within reach. To make it would require a final 18 mile loop at over 19 mph average. The afternoon winds were ferocious.

My mind wandered back to 25 years ago (this month) to the final 6 miles of the Boston Marathon. Heartbreak Hill. Winds coming off the Atlantic. As the screaming crowds pressed in around the runners along Commonwealth Avenue, my legs screamed louder: Quit!

Back then, and 25 years later on the farm roads outside of Winters, there would be no quit. 200 miles was within reach.

The significance of yesterday is really quite simple - less than 2 years ago I weighed in at 235. This is all about the power of the human will and the incredible feats of the human body. Yesterday, I was pretty impressed with what was accomplished yesterday. Notice I did not say that I was impressed with myself. I am amazed at what virutally anyone can do if they have a dream and go to work to acheve it.

Find something to fuel your ambition. Go to work toward it, day by day. You will be impressed at the outcome.