Looking for Motivation or, HTFU

Early spring in Ontario. One day kinda sunny and warmish, the next day cold, raining and miserable. Generally overcast, grey, cool, damp. Ugh. Even as I type these words the rain is pounding. As a friend observed, sounds like the UK in November. *shudder*

But, as a committed cyclist, it’s days like these that we put in those hard early miles. The miles that really count, the miles that prepare us for all those glorious summer cycling adventures to come. This is when it matters.

Sure sure, easy to say. With motivation on low, two thoughts come to mind.

Goals. Committing to something specific later in the season has been hugely beneficial for me. Having a race or event or even just a particular ride planned really helps to focus my riding early on. I’m not talking about a training regime, but just that little kick in the ass when we need it. Something that gets us out on days we may otherwise pour an extra cup of coffee and waste time on social media.

Just before penning these words, I was chatting with a friend in West Texas. “I need motivation. I’m getting too soft.” she lamented. So, I challenged her to set a goal, to ride the Chisos Basin and back. A very hearty ride indeed.

“Hmmmmmmmm. Ok. Challenge accepted.” … “Oh Lord. Whew…. I can do it? I can, I can do it.” Yes you can, Laura, you got this.

Personally, I’m looking at putting a team together to race The Noble Pursuit on July 28th. A tough 170’ish kilometres over paved and dirt roads in teams of four. I competed in this amazing event several years ago and had a blast. There’s also word of a race I might enter in late September; something to carry me through the rest of the season.

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With this event on my calendar, I have no choice but put on the extra layers and get out there. These are the miles that count. Those 170 Noble kms are just the reward for today’s suffering. Speaking of which…

Harden the fuck up.

Seriously. Life is hard, life is pain and suffering. At times, unpleasant things come our way and we have to deal with them or perish. No matter what life throws at us, it’s our mental toughness that will get us through. Our body will be fine, it’s the mind that is weak. So, suck it up, buttercup. Put on your big boy panties and get out there. Do it, make it happen. Harden the fuck up and get’er done.

Armed with goals in one hand and grit in the other, I’ve got focus to my summer season. It doesn’t mean Tuesday’s 100kms in the rain was pleasant, it just means I knew it was worth it. For Laura, it means training around the desert’s summer heat, knowing it’ll pay off in November.

And if Laura can do it, I can do it. If I can do it, you can do it. Just turn those pedals one at a time and HTFU….after this cup of coffee, promise.