I have been a race fan since I was 7 years old. In all the years I have supported the sport of auto racing, NASCAR in particular, I have looked up to the drivers that climb behind the wheel of a race car. I have a deep admiration for their guts at staring fear in the eye and conquering it.
Going 200 mph mere inches from a wall with 42 other guys who are on the edge of out of control and not taking a total panic attack mesmerizes me. I have wished that I had their courage and strength. The thought of surviving the G Forces that they go through week in and week out scares me. I've heard of drivers flying with the Blue Angels and I give them major props for being able to make it.
In my younger days, I was fearless when it came to thrill rides at amusement parks. I've been on some pretty incredible rides and loved every second of it. But my fear is heights. Simply standing on a chair to reach something grips me with utter terror. And we're not even gonna discuss spiders.
Well, this weekend I went to a local amusement park and in an unprecedented act of stupidity on my part I challenged my Pastor to ride the Skycoaster with me, simply because I knew he would say no and I was sure I was safe. Let me catch you up on just what Skycoaster is:
SKYCOASTER®
The Skycoaster® is not really a ride; it is a flight. One, two or three flyers are suited in a nylon harness and then attached to a cable that pulls them (Superman-style) to the top of the launch tower. From 180' above ground, riders release themselves with a parachute like ripcord... then free-fall at approximately 75 mph!
While my Pastor wasn't about to go on it, another guy that was there with our group had been dying to go on it, but didn't want to do it alone. So when I spoke up he immediately said "I'll go with you". Open mouth, insert both feet! Like an idiot, I agreed and went with David and his 11 year old daugher. I found out that one of us had to pull the cord and I immediately volunteered David, because I was too petrified to do it myself. Well, he had to be in the middle because of his weight advantage, which left Erika, who looked at me with sheer terror on her face and said "what am I gonna do?", to which I quickly replied "enjoy the ride. I'll pull it." I have got to learn to stop talking...there is something to the saying silence is golden.
The anticipation was killing me. I sat there waiting for my turn feeling like a death row inmate going on her final walk towards the firing squad. A crowd of my closest friends had gathered on the bridge to watch my fateful journey into certain death and they were smiling. What was wrong with those idiots? I was getting ready to die and they were happy. Just before I walked over to suit up my Dad hugged me and said "Bye Becca, it's been nice knowing ya." Not funny Dad.
You get strapped in to the most dreadful harness known to man, the thing is heavy, ill fitting and scary. I was quickly instructed how to put it on, not the most lady-like contraption I've ever entangled myself in to say the least, and shown where the rip cord was. Then I was told to grab hold of the foot bar and take a seat, dreading the inevitable trip to certain death.
It comes time to head out to the platform and of course the three of us look like inmates being taken to the gallows. We are instructed to stand together, link arms and they told me what would happen when we got to the top of the tower and when to pull the rip cord, all the while strapping us in and linking us to the zip line. David quickly says to me "Don't pull it now" like I would be stupid enough to do that. You'll be lucky if we don't just spend the weekend up there chilling out. The platform raises, the floor lowers and we fall face first and are hanging in mid air waiting for our ascent to the top of the tower.
The screams were deafening. Okay, let's be clear here. MY SCREAMS WERE DEAFENING! The trip to the top of the tower seemed endless. I was in tears and praying not to die. When we finally make it to the top I hear "Welcome to the Skycoaster. Enjoy your ride. 3-2-1 FLY" Well it was my big moment and I wasn't about to blow it, so I yelled "here we go" and I pulled the cord.
That initial drop left me screaming and crying like I was being killed. The utter weightlessness was the most horrifying thing I have ever felt. That sudden free fall has been a death fear of mine for my entire life, and I was sure it was the way I was going out. When our cords finally caught up with us, and we began swinging the terror was replaced with adrenaline and exhileration. The "sweet Jesus please don't let me die" cries were exchanged with "this is awesome" "yahoo" and "I did it" screams. I struggled to unhook my arms from David's, but somehow managed to grab a hold of the line that stopped us. How David's still able to hear out of his right ear and move his right arm, I really don't know. He is one tough guy is all I can say. I have to admit, the ride was pretty awesome. Atleast it was when I stopped shaking and the adrenaline rush quieted down.
I was greeted by crushing hugs and accolades. My friend Cindy bowed down to me and called me the queen. Everyone told me they were so proud of me and were amazed at how brave I was. Cindy and Jenny said "you are awesome". Yeah, I guess I kinda was. I looked my worst fear, aside from the spiders and bugs, dead in the eye and conquered it in killer fashion. I came to the conclusion that if I could do that I could do anything. There is nothing I can't try and if I don't try I can't triumph.
So, I have a new found appreciation for what Denny Hamlin does every weekend. The courage to face a scary situation and defeat it is a quality I no longer have to covet. It is one I earned on my own, the hard way.
I have a very ugly bruise on my right arm and arm pit that reminds me of the audacity I displayed while taking the ride of a lifetime. But I'm not complaining, in fact I am rather proud of it. Now I'm ready for a new challenge. I say, let's see how much courage D Ham has. He can take me around Daytona at 200 mph mere inches from the wall and I'll take him on Skycoaster. I'll even pull the rip cord, after all I'm a pro at it now. That and I don't trust anyone else to do it for me. So what do you say D Ham? You ready to ride? I'll even pay for the tickets..you just bring your earplugs.
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