Reminders — don't give up

It’s been a little more than 4 weeks since my last gravel bike race. It was painful event that hasn’t begun the metamorphosis into fond memories — the images of endless hills, an unforgiving sun and the threat of crippling leg cramps for the last 15 kms are still too fresh. Forget it I will not but forgive, that’s another matter, and why I said yes to another race in three weeks.

“Courage is knowing it might hurt, and doing it anyway. Stupidity is the same. And that's why life is hard.”? — Jeremy Goldberg

Most of what passes as training for a race is just getting on the bike and riding as much as possible. Yesterday I was doing just that on one of my favourite training trails. What makes this trail fun is a nice country road that intersects my ride so I can practice climbing hills — I simply go up and come back down as many times as I need to and then jump back on the trail to keep the training going. On this particular ride, to get the 55 kms in, I needed to go up and down five times, and then back on the trail.

As I started up the incline for the first time, my legs were quick to remind me of our last race and mid-point both body and mind were saying maybe just once will be enough… it’s too soon. On the way down my mind pointed out that I could probably do one more. As I headed up the fourth time, it was agreed I could do all five. I then continued on to finishing the 55 kms and felt good. There was more training needed but I felt good.

I have found with almost any task or activity, if it’s broken up into increments, the simple act of counting through the increments offers not only a sense accomplishment but also the motivation to hit your target. If it wasn’t for my bike computer counting down the kms to the finish line, I am not sure I would have finished.

This is not a profound story. It’s just a reminder not to give up when it starts to get hard and the excuses start to take form. This not only holds true for a bicycle race but this story is a metaphor for almost everything you attempt to do. It’s simply a reminder not to give up.

It’s yours to do with as you wish.

iamgpe

PS: As an aside, I decided I need new wheels and tires because the rider needs all the help he can get.