Often we need reminders of why we do what we do, in order to continue doing just that. They may be miniscule but draw us right back into the exact space that we need to be in psychologically to achieve our best. I know why I chose my field of work and I receive positive reminders almost everyday but in other areas of my life reminders come less frequently.
Reaching for the top in any discipline demands dedication, focus, sacrifice, and a willingness to suffer, but the rewards are multifarious. There are times when your goals may make you feel like you're in a isolated bubble that no one knows about or can fully identify with and this can make you want to give everything up, especially if you're a social creature. But when you step away, as i did this year, and then take a tentative step closer again it can seem so Technicolor delight.
I absolutely love racing. Love it. Love the adrenaline,the camaraderie,and the feel of having your daily pound of flesh paid in hard training come together in a zone performance. This is why it's difficult training on my own and going long periods without racing. I get my best performances racing either every weekend or every other weekend during a season. I have a performance arc that takes three consecutive races to take effect and brings me to consistent results by the fourth race into the season. I had lately started to forget why I'm so addicted to the sport and racing.
All it took was one ride with the team where I was feeling surprisingly good...thank you 5am expresso barista... and click...I can't get enough again.
Team bike practice is a different animal than riding on your own. The pace is fast and furious for 130 to 180km and you get hit with surges on the climbs and rabbits taking off on tricky technical descents. When you ride well, you hear it from your teammates who are quick to compliment for strength, finesse, fitness, or speed, even if you yourself have visions of an albatross on two wheels and a carbon frame.
Ideally you should be able to ride at your anerobic threshold during the ride to get the most benefit and this can compare to straight out race simulation of the type you can't hit on a long solo endurance ride.
This morning's ride under the november sun came with reminder written all over it.
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3 comments:
Any more of this and we will start having to call you "Race Girl" where you wear jumpsuits with flames on them and your initials embroidered on the chest.
hmmm racergirl..not bad. I kind of liked the rollergirl concept too. Do I have to wear a jumpsuit or can I wear some cool bathing suit of my choosing with the emblem on my hip? Or maybe get a ruboff tattoo ;-)
You can have that or both. You can alternate them. there can be an outfit fitting different athletic situations.
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