And Now for Something Completely Different....
If one more person tells me to HTFU, I'm going to punch them squarely in the jaw. My season is over. Done, finished, kaput. I no longer have the desire, the fitness, or the respiratory system to drive for the line. This "season interupting respiratory infection" has shown me there's more to life than me being at the top of my game. Namely that time with my wife and kids should be more important than disciplined training time. That top results on a bike don't define who you are, rather being involved in the game (of work, family, faith) is what really matters.
I DNF'd for the first time ever in a race yesterday (for a non-mechanical) and you know what, I liked it. Yes, you heard me, I said "I'm a quitter." Consider this my official resignation from my prior goals for 2009. The new Boz arrived yesterday and he's a quitter. Quit worrying about results, quit worrying about whether or not I'm stronger than anyone else, and best of all quit neglecting time with my wife and kids to play around on a bike. Indeed, learn to quit. In my men's bible study, we're learning "If you want to live, you've got to die a little." Same principle.
That sounds like something completely new and different to me and you know what, that sounds like fun! So, let's have some fun!
The Foot
You need to find that image of the foot. You know the one. The foot and raspberry combination from Monty Python. The Foot is what happened to your season.
Giving up is not neccesarily
Giving up is not neccesarily quitting. Last Sunday I had one of my best races. I came thinking like you, what is this for, who benefits. But I'm here, I've got this bike, I'll just ride. Ride smooth,no foaming at the mouth, no ego trips, think about the riders around me, and don't worry about where you are in the race. And guess what, it was a great race. There's nothing wrong with doing something thats healthy and nurturing for you, for it will benefit others eventually. I'm not going to tell you to HTFU, rather, be pliable in the Lord's hands. There is one thing that bothers me though, would you please let me know what disguise you're going to be wearing next week?
@Rudy
Sage advice. I will be in the black and red Big Shark kit for the rest of the year. Our new Pfoodman-Big Shark stuff won't be out until 2010. I plan to race the SS race next week and possibly the B race, too.
Did I write that?
Phrases like HTFU are alive and kicking on the web but they are ridiculous in the real world. It is that same persona that commutes 45 miles (each way) uphill (both ways) every day through rain, snow, you name it. That persona (on the weekends) will cut a graft of skin from their own scrotum to boot a tire in the name of "finishing".
"HTFU" is a bunch of fertilizer that lives in the cyber world. Real people quit once in a while, and the smart ones know when it is the right thing to do!
There is pleanty of fun waiting for when you are ready!
it's about effin time. call
it's about effin time. call me when you want to ride for fun.
Congrats on figuring out what
Congrats on figuring out what is really important in life!
As someone who has been both at the top with the fast guys and at the bottom with the fat slow dudes, I can tell you that for the most part the only reason most guys are faster is because they turn their backs on other aspects of life.
When I was fast, it is because I was single, lived alone, was done with the party scene. Basically I had nothing to focus on but training.
Then I got married, had a kid, and suddenly serious training was...well...just stupid. I like to bike race and it would be nice to be fast again. But frankly I think the guys who are at the top that also have a family are a joke. And lets face it, a week from now, no one really knows or cares who won what ever local bike shop sponsored race in some random midwest city.
Yup Yup
I won't reveal my name namely because I know all you cats, but Boz, I went through the same thing last week. The woman I love told me I wasn't the man she needed, she kicked me out of the house, and I was forced to pack up all my shit and hit the road. Luckily I have some awesome friends and family and was able to land on my feet safely... Or so I thought.
I lost sight of what really mattered, in the mist of racing every weekend and training all the time. I lost sight of giving the love of my life the love she deserved. I took it for granted and soon found myself completely alone and lost. I'm happy to say that we're in the mist of working things back out, but it was not easy getting that "4th" chance, she calls it. I had my chances but it wasn't until I was completely without her that I realized how much I needed her in my life and that even though I love the shit out of my bike riding, I would give it all up to be with the people who really make living, living... Thank god I'll never have to make that decision, she approves of me riding, so for that I'm thankful.
well, there goes a big chunk
well, there goes a big chunk of my motivation! When you start feeling better in a couple weeks, you might change your mind. Look at illness as an opportunity for weight loss.
You should feel very good about the first half of the season. You definitely took it up the proverbial notch and challenged me to do the same.
Our bodies keep us humble. I had to drop back to the C race after thinking I could crack the top ten in the B. Reality check. Somewhere it's written, "he who humbles himself shall be exalted" so sounds like your mind and heart are in the right place.
See you at the races! Bill H.
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