Where it all began…according to Jocelyn

It all began for me about 6 years ago…each year in about January I’d tell my dad…”we have to do STP this year” and then of course something came up that got in the way. You know…like getting pregnant, having a new baby…oh and getting pregnant again. There’s always an excuse in my back pocket. And then one day in January or was it February 2010 Leo posted a comment on Facebook stating something to the effect of “STP here I come”. Of course I was so excited for him and a little envious that he actually committed by signing up. Within about 2 minutes of back and forth banter he convinced me to do it. My two conditions were: 1. I don’t sleep in tents and 2. Leo had to stay with me throughout the whole ride…no ditching. Of course he agreed to both as a good brother should do. So I signed up.
About ½ hour later I realized Leo has been in the Marines and been to war twice…there is no way he is going to stay with me through the whole race…he’s going to race to the finish with no complaints along the way. That’s when I new I had to call in a friend. And of course that friend had to be Hillary. She is my BFF and lifelong DP (don’t ask…that’s another long story). It didn’t take much convincing. Quite honestly, I always remind her of the Marilyn Manson concert and pleather pants she talked me into when I sense hesitation. 95 dollars later we were signed up and looking for hotels to stay in at the midpoint. That’s when the fear set in. Who knew you had to reserve hotels four months before registration? So that left us with one option…camping in a tent. There goes my first condition!
About a week later I was chatting it up with Leo and he told me his true intentions. Yep, he planned to ditch me the moment I paid my registration fee. And there goes my second condition. But of course I have my true BFF that will hold my hand and let me drink from her hydration pack if I need it. After long deliberation and advice from many, Hillary and I bought Hybrids and Leo is going with road tires on his mountain bike. We are hoping this will even the playing field and team Where is Tom? will ride together like the 3 musketeers, complaining and whining the whole way!