Wow.
Was talking about Pathletes with Christine on the drives back and forth - or one of the 4 drives. I think she might have peed her pants laughing so hard at the term.
When i "race" some one or do "intervals" with the trailer trying to catch some dude riding. I ain't racing them. I am just using them as a carrot. Mentally it helps.
But reading Jim's bit there today.
All this Cyclocross chatter. It is done by those who are trying. Defeat is often the end result.
If we manage only say a 20th and feel like those results are worthless, we are further demeaning all those who finished behind us. Without those behind us 20th place would be last.
I had entertained the freaking moronic notion of racing the 2/3 Killer Bs in the orange suit. I was strongly, agressively counseled NOT to do it with the logic: "think how demeaning it is to those who you beat?" How are they going to feel when they get beaten by some dude in a set of orange coveralls. That and i think the team logo on there might have been a problem, as you see, it wasn't MY team logo on the orange suit, but the super PRO gal i was pitting for.
And that got me thinking.
Just doing it, is pretty amazing. The fact that i have managed to finish in front of ANYONE is a success. Every time i head out, i reinforce where i err. I have clear items that need improvement. Race #2 had me smiling alot. I was focused on very simple obtainable goals. Maybe too simple, to easily obtained. But i attained them.
This quote that Jim also quoted from Teddy R is amazing. And so applicable to the cross crowd that it does bear repeating.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Now go over and read his whole entry.
Oh and for a guy coming back from vacationing w/o his bike... he did freaking remarkably well. no?
Anyway... showing up to race. Actually manning up in an event that demands competition and provides a yardstick that anyone can judge you against, is really quite the amazing feat. Think of all the people out there who eschew REAL competition for fishing stories of the guy they "Dusted" on the bike path. The guys who pass me and the trailer when i'm having an easy day... them turning over that 53-11 with all their might, maybe at 30 rpm... thinking they are kicking ass...
Yes, it is great that you are out on a bike ride instead of sitting in the gym. Yes, it is great that you just bought an eight thousand dollar Trek. Yes, you are the reason the industry is surviving. Thanks for being a fan. Now set your ego aside, learn how to ride a bike the RIGHT way and if you wanna race someone... sign up for a race. The Citizen/Cat 5 races are numerous. Who knows, you might even beat someone for real!
peace,
G
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