Continuing with my “Karate Kid” theme from CYCLO90 Lesson #1, “Sand Floor”, today’s 2 LESSONS are even more vital for any cyclist or triathlete who SINCERELY WANTS TO KICK ASS! (AKA make serious improvements).
Two things have to happen, and the first is CYCLO90 LESSON #2: “Getting Your Ass Kicked” by something that bubbles up a DECISION, a DRIVER, or a “WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE”, that which is no longer working.
That getting your ass kicked can happen differently for each of us. It could be getting dropped off the back of a group ride. It could be the inability to podium in a race. It could be bonking in a century or having to stop up a climb. It does not matter, an “ass kicking” is relative to the ONE, you!
Remember, Daniel was trying to learn Karate from a “book”. It was admirable, but for the situation, fighting trained individuals–it wasn’t cutting it. His EGO was keeping him from change initially, keeping him getting his ass kicked and scared.
A life lesson, that many of us, especially us cyclists and triathletes, who don’t like to ever admit we’re wrong, huhum… tend to do. If I’m speaking to YOU, please watch this 3 minute video and let me explain…
YES, just like Daniel getting his ass kicked by those bullies and finally driving enough EGO and PRIDE out of him to SURRENDER to someone’s passion of teaching others, so does it need to happen for YOU.
A BREAKTHROUGH must happen.
You can NOT improve your cycling from a “book” or “passed down dogmatic bull” from other riders.
Cycling is much more than that and I think you know it, yet many times–YOU DON’T CHANGE IT.
Whether we admit it or not, most cyclists I encounter have NEVER been taught these fundamentals and even though most of them are NOT improving with more miles and more wasted time–THEY KEEP DOING IT.
EGO and PRIDE can be a very detrimental thing to anyone who wants to improve.
Bluntly, if you ride and ride and let your pride and ego keep you from acknowledging it isn’t working anymore, THAT is why you get your ass kicked. (think about it.)
Until, the “light switch goes off.”
A SPARK! A change in IMMEDIATE PERCEPTION.
Look, and this is IMPORTANT…
I can NOT make you do my CYCLO90 program.
I can NOT convince you that patterning your training with SIMPLE FUNDAMENTALS is ALWAYS the answer, regardless of your goal, your age, your ability, your fitness, or your experience.
I can NOT give you that internal “flipping of the switch”.
That my friend, has to COME FROM WITHIN YOU.
Then you must DECIDE your intentions with LESSON #3: ”Do Cycling YES or Do Cycling NO?”
Remember, if you decide to do cycling “GUESS SO”, then expect “SO SO RESULTS” and to get SQUISHED, just like the grape.
YOU MUST DECIDE.
Then, and ONLY THEN can you be ready and “open for positive change and growth” to UNLIMITED CYCLING POTENTIAL!
Don’t be scared. It’s right there, you just have to surrender and let it come out.
If you think simply getting in tie or miles each week is “doing cycling yes”, then ask yourself ONE FUNDAMENTAL QUESTION:
“What am I getting out this, other than MORE MILES?”
Once you have the answers to both of the above lessons, I am here to help.
Ride Hard. Let Go of Your Ego. Do Cycling Yes!
–Graeme Street
P.S. If you have not yet submitted me your VIDEO for who you are, why you ride, what your obstacles are with CYCLO90 for the Challenge, you have until Tuesday, Jan 31st at midnight to post them here or on my FACEBOOK PAGE.
If you’re wondering what my “ASS KICKING” is or was, it was last year at Tour of the Battenkill.
Not only did I decide to do the event to satisfy the perceptions of others ( or so I thought), but I was not there in heart and it was because I had changed, but I didn’t change the things around me.
As a result, I GOT MY ASS KICKED and had to quit for the first time in my life.
Guess what??
It was the BEST THING that has ever happened to me in 25 years of cycling! Do you know why? It allowed me to have the freedom within, to SEEK OUT SOMETHING NEW. It allowed me to realize that I do not have to be a ROAD RACER to enjoy cycling OR to ride stronger. It was a moment for me I’ll never forget.
I moved into trying triathlon and XTERRA and guess what? Not only did I get reinvigorated with my training and get stronger–I rode the best rides I’ve had in my life as a CYCLIST.
WHY?
Because I decided to “RIDE YES” and more importantly, I decided to DO IT FOR ME–not my audience. A special circumstance yes, but I bet you can draw from this lesson yourself.
Thank you BATTENKILL for Kicking my ass! It was just what I needed to DECIDE to become a better cyclist and now excited triathlete.
WHAT’S YOUR ASS KICKING??