Joanne – You are too, too funny. But don't worry – I won't test you on whether it's really only a hot second for you to drop trou! Awesome. Like me with my helicopter, you realized that the experience would be worth more to you than the fear, and so you went with it. Big pat on the back for both of us! And, uh, regarding the flying a plane solo & the sky-diving…holy crapballs. I didn't know that about you! Such a thrill-seeker & an adventurist. Can you mail some of your need for adrenaline to me, please? I need it!

1) flying a plane solo. yeah I know, I have my pilot's license and everything now, but when I first signed up for lessons I was sure I was going to chicken out long before my first solo. In fact, when it came time to solo, I argued with my instructor that I was NOT READY. He ran out of the plane and left me sitting there on the runway, so I kinda had no choice but to go through with it. My legs were shaking until I took off; then I was so busy flying the plane I forgot to be scared.

2) Sky-diving. It sounded exciting but again I thought I would chicken out when it came time to actually jump. They assured all of us first-timers that no one would force us off the plane if we decided not to jump, so up I went. And again, once it came time to jump, it all happened so fast, and I was so busy following instructions I was hurtling through the air before I had time to process the fear.

3) This one will make you laugh — peeing outdoors. I have a shy bladder and managed to go through my whole adult life without having to squat behind a bush. This made for very short hikes! I would avoid any situation where outdoor peeing was likely to be necessary. Until I decided I just HAD to raft the Grand Canyon rapids. It meant a 9-day trip with camping overnight (i had never camped before either). Knowing I could not hold 9 days worth of pee (or solid matter) I was forced to overcome my reluctance — then of course I wondered why I had made such a big deal of it. I can drop trou in a hot second now!

I love how you're no longer scared of Canadian spiders because they're wussies in comparison to big, hairy, Hondurian (Hondurian?) spiders. That's one way to do it! And go you for kicking some laughing tarantula ass.

For me it was sleeping in a room in Honduras, in the middle of the jungle, with a thatched roof, and a room full of tarantulas.

Did I mention I am heart stoppingly, scream like a little girl, terrified of spiders?

The plan was to take a couple of nice big fat benadryl so I could sleep (benadryl knocks me out) without having a heart attack. The problem was, when we got to our room there was the king of the tarantulas sitting on top of our medicine bag, and he wasn't moving.

I am still pretty sure he was laughing at me.

I slept under the mosquito net, not much, but I slept, and lived to tell about it. The plus side of the whole adventure was: I am now no longer afraid of Canadian spiders, they are just so small and silly.

Amanda – That's amazing! I, too, was EXTREMELY unathletic, and running around the track would take me what seems like days. I'm still not great, but the hubby & I run about 2+ miles at a clip, which is huge for me. I can think about what it would feel like to run 7 – besides exhausting! Good luck in the half-marathon! Seems like you're gonna be in great shape for it.

Andi – Holy crapballs, how scary! I would be so nervous, too. But it's amazing that you pulled it off without anything but your athletic knowledge & enthusiastic personality. What a born coach!

Sara – I like to say that Luke & I are -2 years prego, but it's still extremely scary! Not only the responsible-for-another-person thing, but the actual being-pregnant-and-giving-birth thing. But millions of women have gone through it – and felt it worthwhile! – so I know I'll survive. Although I may be asked to just be punched in the face when I arrive at the hospital so I'll just be knocked out col

Cory – Um, that. is. awesome. I'm at work, so can't click yet. Will do tonight, though!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AnR1FJ6yQq4