Just like any other big event in your life, you plan. Then you think you have it all figured out and you wait, and wait, and wait. Full of anticipation, you are ready to go. This has been the last month.

The training keeps going but not with the same vigor. The nutrition gets to be old hat. The rest of life stuff needs to be a focus for a bit as the trip is 47 days. It is kind of a jumble. Then you realize there is stuff to be done.

You have a week and it is sort of planning time to fit things in: checking in with all the friends who want to see you, get a haircut, move the appointments you had already booked, last minute equipment changes, getting final packing items you realized would be a good idea, taking care of those household things that enviably appear – yes my friends, it’s chaos! I’m so ready to go!

The ray of hope is that the day is fast approaching and it will come! It’s time to get off the pity bus and get on that party bus. Time to get the groove on and get into ride mode! Time to answer the call from Astoria. Time to get a coffee, relax and breathe…it’s still seven days.