Frigid Fears: How to Survive Them – and Beyond
photo credit: American Snowmobiler Magazine
Negative 17 degrees outside, I sat in the middle of Pictured Rocks National Park in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, legs wrapped around my Polaris Indy 550, moments away from whimpering in my helmet.
“How did Girl Wonder wind up here…,” you wonder? I wondered the same thing.
It all started two weeks earlier when my husband asked me to go on an organized snowmobile ride with American Snowmobiler Magazine, a publication he reads and supports as an advertiser. This was not the casual hop on the sled and ride to lunch weekend we normally have in Northern Wisconsin. This ride was meant for the most enthusiastic of enthusiasts: definitely not me (or so I thought).
As my co-workers and friends can tell you, I nervously talked about the upcoming trip to Michigan. “Let’s hope I don’t hit a tree,” was a common phrase I uttered daily. I felt intimidated by the level of rider that would be there over the weekend and fearful that I couldn’t complete the ride, or worse, that I would take a corner too fast and end up crashing and coming home with broken bones.
Each evening leading up to the weekend, I had a conversation with my husband about my concerns. He always said the same thing: “You’ll be fine, you can do this.” Nudging me along is something of an expertise of his.
Friday morning came. We loaded up the truck and hit the road early enough to watch the sunrise. This was it. I was only four and half hours away from this snowmobiling weekend becoming a reality. As we drove further north, the scenery changed. More snow and more forest – it was beautiful. After meeting the other riders, my nerves hadn’t really changed. We signed up for an ambitious 200-mile ride and went to bed early.
photo credit: American Snowmobiler Magazine
Saturday morning arrived and I was awake before my alarm went off. Nervously, I got ready, adding each layer of clothing and wondering if it was enough; -17 is no joke. We met with our group of 24 and the ride began. I started off a little shaky, but survived the whole ride – and without crashing. (Phew!)
The drive home gave me some much-needed time to reflect on the weekend. Had I learned anything? (Being a REMAN U contributor does that to you.) The answer? A solid yes.
- Don’t let fear hold you back. I ended up having a great time on the ride and learned what I’m capable of.
- A little encouragement goes a long way. Chances are that when you’ve got self-doubt, there is someone in your life that believes in you. Keep these people around.
- Don’t cry over spilled milk. Almost in tears in the middle of the woods? Yep, that was me. I was feeling a little overwhelmed and exhausted. I held my tears back after realizing that they wouldn’t help me finish. They would probably also freeze to my cheeks.
On Monday morning, the same colleagues wishing me well – and survival – greeted me heartily, “You survived!” I did that and more.
Chances are that I’ll be back in Michigan next winter doing the same ride. And next time, with measurably more confidence and probably (hopefully) more enthusiasm, too.
What’s fear’s place in growth? As Girl Wonder shares this week, it can be the edge you need to push your capabilities…even in negative 17-degree temps. Which of your fears are you most proud of conquering? Comment below or email Angie.
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