I Don't Even Like DRIVING 100 Miles

The day after I finished my first (and only) marathon in 2005, a group of friends from Team in Training went to The Price Is Right. I tagged along, dreaming of Plinko and winning a Red Ford Escape. I wore my finisher's medal around my neck that day, and at a commercial break Bob Barker asked me about it. I told him I had just completed the Rock 'N Roll Marathon in San Diego. He asked me if I won and, when I told him I did not, he asked me why I got a medal.

People who don't run or walk marathons usually respond to hearing about someone completing a marathon in the same way. This is a very funny and widely-know fact in the running word. I would guess that every runner (or non-runner like myself) who has completed a marathon has heard at least one, if not all, of these questions.

1) Did you win?
2) How far was that marathon (as if marathons are different distances)?
3) Wow, I don't even like to drive 26.2 miles!

I'm not a cyclist. I have a bike I bought two years ago to keep up with my friends who cycle. My friend Amy took me on my first-ever ride and we went about 8 miles on Foothill Expressway. I thought that was a huge deal and was so proud of myself for cycling 8 miles. That night, after Amy helped me put a roof rack on my car that she had given me, I drove my new bike (on top of my car) into my carport, ripping the bike (with the bike rack) off my car and into my windshield. I fixed my bike and car and vowed never to use a roof rack again. I am not a cyclist.



I am not a cyclist. The longest ride I've ever been on was about 40 miles and I slept for two days afterwards (not really). I can ride my bike without tipping over (for the most part), I don't have a problem (anymore) with my clip-in pedals, and I really like riding my bike (when I don't feel like my lungs are going to collapse going over an overpass). I don't know how to change a tire or drink/eat while on my bike, but I will learn to.

I am not a cyclist, but am looking forward to training for America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride. I am not a cyclist, but I will soon by cycling well over 40 miles, and hopefully not having to sleep for two days afterwards.

Maybe after I cross the finish line I will be a few steps closer to being a cyclist. But for now, I am not a cyclist. And I don't even like driving 100 miles.