Hours before the BIG RACE – Mind over manners

~Mike Romaniuk, on the Secret Thoughts of Men

Last year's triumph...we finished!

In less than 18 hours from now, my teammate and I will be starting the hardest 6 to 8 hours of our year:  The 2009 Cumberland Mind Over Mountain Adventure Race (MOMAR).

The ferry ride from Vancouver, British Columbia (Canada) to Vancouver Island (where the race takes place) is just under 2 hours long and it afforded us time to discuss important race matters.  Topics included:

• If either one of us gets injured (sprained leg, etc) during the race, would on-course euthanasia be acceptable?  Would it get us out of the “all team members must pass the finish line” rule given that ‘frustration of contract’ may apply?  (My teammate is no longer alive, so how can I be expected to have him cross the finish line?)
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• Is it acceptable to hit on women during the race?  What if it means sacrificing time & standing in the race?  What would be a good pickup line?  (“Hey baby…  You don’t stink nearly as bad as the other girls in the race and I was wondering if I can have your number?”)
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• What does my ass really look like in those padded, spandex bike shorts?  Do I have the perfect biker butt or does it look like I’m wearing a diaper?  [Editor's note: yes, Mike, it looks like a diaper. Sorry!]

Bravado and silliness aside, this period of time before the race isn’t for preparing.  We’ve spent 18 months training for this race.  We’ve gone over details of what the course may hold.  We’ve prepped & checked our gear countless times.  We know our strong points, our weak points and what we’re going to do about them.  At this point in time, it’s too late to make any changes that would actually matter.

Although our discussions may sound typically male – they’re actually a fantastic ‘guy tool’ we’re using to keep ourselves relaxed & ready for tomorrow.  Stress, worry and doubt are our worst enemies today.

This blog post is post two of a four part series. Read Mike’s first post here. Look for Mike’s next post, sent just minutes before his race and his final post immediately after his race.

About Mike Romaniuk: In 2002, Mike rode his go-kart around the world, but didn’t raise money for anything. He did, however, find fitness and embrace it. In 2004, just one year after returning, Mike was allowed to shoot the starting gun at the All Mikes, Only Mikes Marathon.  In 2005 he completed that same marathon under a pseudonym. In 2008 he completed the Autumn Ostrich race, winning by a beak.  Mike lives to blog about the Secret Thoughts of Men for Girlgetstrong. (note: no ostriches were injured during the fabrication of this biography)