In case you hadn't heard, the United States is the proud home of one of the longest distance inline skating events in the world. This event covers 87 miles through some lovely Georgian countryside, with skaters rolling from Athens to Atlanta.
Last year, I completed the easy part, skating a mere 38 miles. I hadn't trained much prior to the event, and hadn't even skated more than a few miles in a completely new pair of skates. Worse, I had two bloody, gaping holes at the back of my heels from skating previously on some poorly-fitting boots. Physically, I am not sure I should have been able to complete the event. But I survived it and the three and a half hours it took me to finish, and over time, my feet healed. On that fateful Sunday one year ago, I proved I had the mental strength to make it happen.
This year, I have trained with the intention of completing the 87 miles and arriving in Atlanta. I am in excellent physical shape; in fact, I'm in the best shape I've been in the past 5 years. I may not be challenging the professional skaters, but I am going to do the best I can, and I AM going to finish the full distance.
Here's what I'm hoping for: first, to finish in under 8 hours; second, for no injuries; and third, that my fellow Austin skaters achieve their goals and are also free of injury.
wish me luck.
Best of luck with the skate and enjoy it.
You should of course know that the distance from Athens to Atlanta is in fact 5,682 miles (great circle route) not 87 miles and, as you would have to skate over parts of the Mediterranean and the Atlantic you will have to wait until winter when they are frozen... hold on, they don't freeze in winter. You will have to wait until the next ice age... so you may as well put your skates back in the cupboard for a while!!
Posted by: zeno at September 26, 2003 03:54 AM