Thursday, April 21, 2011

Give Me Iowa or Give Me Death



18 hours from now Amy and I will be heading to the hinterlands of Iowa. I will embark on my 4th Trans Iowa Race. The first attempt saw me elated to meet a goal of finishing the event on a 26" wheeled mt. bike with a huge pack on my back. The second effort had me walking on air for months after as I rolled to a 2nd place overall finish with a whole new perspective on gravel road racing. The third reduced me to ruin as a hurricane like system centered itself squarely over the state and forced me out at about the 150 mile mark.

This weekend I will come at the race humbled, yet experienced. I'm going light and built for speed. My kit is tried and true and I feel confident with the choices I've made in gear, nutrition, and clothing. However, Trans Iowa weather always has the final say. This is the "wild card" that cannot be controlled, only dealt with.

Please, think positive thoughts as you move through your day and night this coming Saturday/Sunday. We'll be out there, "Doing it". Trans Iowa always changes you a bit. I know that no matter what happens, it'll change me for the better.

See you on the other side...

Eki

2 comments:

Doug said...

I've got a gut feeling it's your year this time around. My money's on you Tim! Good Luck.

Unknown said...

Ekimov - looking forward to your writeup on this years version of the TI. It looks like you saved the Farrow AND whupped all but one. Damn...