On Tuesday I had a pretty weak ride, which I would say does nothing for my self-esteem but everything for my determination. That's probably a very good set-up for my upcoming race weekend. On Saturday around 11:30, I'll start the road race. 36 miles in length. After that, I'll do the ten mile time trial. Then I get a few hours of rest and will eat a big dinner in Huntsville. On Sunday morning at 8 am, I'll race in the criterium downtown.

I'm very excited but nervous. What if I don't feel strong? What if I am sore on Sunday morning? What if I get dropped? What if I finish last? What if I crash? What if I puke? And so on. I want to do well. My performance is helped if I convince myself that I have something to prove. Thus, if I tell myself that I suck, then I will want to show the world that I don't suck. If I tell myself that my bike is heavier and substandard to the other bikes, then I will want to prove that I can ride faster than women on nicer bikes than mine. So, those are the stories I'm sticking with. Criticism, whether internally or externally generated, serves as a motivator.