Editor's note: Alison Goodwin is attempting to earn her NASA competition license. She will be blogging about the experience as she works her way up the HPDE ladder toward her chance to race.

When I first heard of the opportunity to run through the HPDE courses in 2008, I was a ball of pure excitement and anticipation followed by excessive day dreaming! However, that discussion took place in April, and as months drew closer to the new year, it occurred to me that the very first events of 2008 would be held in rather cold winter climates.