And so it begins!

So, I’m not even sure where to start here but I’m pretty sure that this first post is going to outline how very lame I am. This blog is just some strange brainchild of that piece of me that’s not a total procrastinator. We’ll call that piece of me “Guilt”… I like to keep things simple. Anyway - I’m gonna take it slow here and try not to dump four+ months worth of thoughts into this one post.

The short story (as if I could ever tell a short story) is that in August I read an article in New York Conservationist magazine (thanks Mom & Dad) that talked about the Adirondack Canoe Classic. This is a 3-day, 90-mile race that starts in Old Forge and travels up to Saranac Lake (this is New York folks). I have limited facts about the race beyond this because unfortunately there’s not a great website out there that gives details. Maybe I can help with this next year. Focus… okay, after having read the article I was totally amped up and was like, “Yeah, I’m totally doing this in 2009. It’s gonna be badass. I’ll get a few people to go with me and it’ll be great!” I was nothing if not enthusiastic.

My email/phone campaign started (really? campaign is a complete over-dramatization). I emailed by best friend, Sharese, who also has a kayak. I knew she’d be down for this kind of adventure. We’d have so much fun and have tons of stories when all was said and done. Only problem… she’s not down. Not only is she not into but she loaned her kayak to a friend of ours a year or so ago and hasn’t asked for it back yet. I totally struck out with her.

Next, I started talking this up to my husband, Dan. At first he gave me a line about how if no one else will go with me then he’d go. Note: he has no kayak. This weak commitment has since disintegrated and I’ll surely just be sharing photos with him when it’s all over. I’m cool with this since he has to listen to me go on-and-on about the race. He’s a great listener.

Then there’s my brother, Keith. He’s got a couple kayaks but is more into hiking. Any true upstate New Yorker would say he’s “wicked into hiking.” He says he’ll go with me and may have a few more folks to join us. We’ll track this progress as the months go on. I have faith in him though… but have decided, if he backs out then I’m still do’n this thing.

At this point we’re just about 9 months away from the race, which begins the weekend after labor-day. If I recall correctly, I can’t even sign up for the race until June. Registration fills up fast, so I’ve gotta be ready to turn in my application and payment right away. After all, how ridiculous would it be if I spend all this time training and writing about the race and then not even be able to participate? Let’s not go there though.

Through the help of Guilt and Dan, I’ve realized that if I want to do this that I’m actually going to need to train for it. I may be in good-enough shape to complete 30-miles but definitely not 90. Plus, there are several carries during the race and I won’t be able to rely on my kayak for that. Do I actually need 9 months of training? Probably not, but it’s not going to hurt and there’s nothing wrong with getting in shape for my 30th birthday in March.

Some have said that I shouldn’t talk about the race much in case it doesn’t happen or I punk-out. I figure, the race will go on rain-or-shine and if I’m going to share this journey with people then I’d be a total ass to back out (thank you Guilt).

I welcome questions, comments, etc.