The Battle Continues April 22, 2011

I am constantly reminded that I am not in control of the weather. Earlier in the week the temperature was well into the mid 60’s. This morning it snowed. It seems that as soon as I get into a routine with riding and training for RAGBRAI, the weather has an identity crisis. I looked out the window this crisp, spring morning, and tried to think of a way to make an analogy out of this atmospheric change, and I came up with this. Weather is like a battle and we are the deer. Allow me to clarify. Think of the warm and cold weather like two opposing factions of a mighty battle, the warm holds it’s ground in the south while the cold finds refuge in the north, and Iowa is the no-man’s land. Each storm is a battle between these mighty foes, at times the warm holds the “front” line, while at other times the cold gains the high ground. The battles that result from these engagements can become quite fierce, with the blinding flash of the cannon that can be seen for miles and the resulting window-rattling boom that rolls over the prairie like a tsunami. Their bullets flood our rivers and sometimes dent our cars, and the smoke from their guns fills our skies to the point that the sun ceases to shine. We are at the mercy of the these two mighty forces and there is nothing we can do when the battle ensues but take cover. But when the battle is over, we dare to venture forth from our shelter to graze and find sustenance while we can, and we become oblivious when the battle does not rage. But when we hear the boom and see the flash, to cover we go, like little deer hiding in the woods. So all we can do is hope that the major engagements don’t come our way, but in the meantime; the battle continues.

Wind. It’s a love/hate relationship. April 6, 2011

During my hours in the saddle over the past few weeks, riding through cold and heat, rain and shine, one thing has remained a constant; wind. The factor of the wind is a complex one. At times it is utterly demoralizing, such as when you push for all your worth to get to the top of the hill, with the dream of coasting down the other side, only to realize that the wind is so strong that you have to peddle almost as hard just to go down-hill. Yet at other times the wind can be your best friend. After miles of battling with this bitter foe, you’re able to turn around for the return trip, and the wind suddenly becomes your best friend, pushing you along the road like a parent pushes a child on the swing. Through all my battles with this eternal force, I have begun to learn to view the wind from a different perspective. I, like most people, used to view the wind as something that would either make-or-break the ride, but now I have tried to change my view. Wind, when it would seem to pit it’s will against my, can be viewed as an extra component to make me stronger. The wind definitely makes the ride harder, but that in turn makes me more able to fight it. So in reality, the harder the wind blows, the stronger I become. The wind is really helping me train, its like a coach who’s in the chase car next to me, pushing me to go harder. I think this idea can also be applied to life in general.  When we are pushed down by difficulties, we are tempted to just give up, when in fact we should push harder. To adopt the old adage, “what doesn’t kill me only makes me stronger”. I also find comfort and motivation in a quote from Lance Armstrong, “Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit, however, it lasts forever.” So I encourage you to go forth and fight the good fight. I also encourage you to comment or share on a moment in your live that you have gone the distance and persevered, against the wind.

Reference:

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/pain-is-temporary-quitting-lasts-forever/571602.html