A new page.

It's been one month since I left home, and things are finally starting to come around.  I've always known that training 5000 miles away would be difficult, but I never expected so much constant mental and physical fatigue.  However, that's no longer a problem.  I realize now that I've been complaining far too much, and that I am truly living the American cyclist's dream.  I'm in Europe, training and racing, and I've been much too focused on the pain than on the reward.  Pain is the means, and an acceptable means for the possible ends.

"Bike racing is about two things: PAIN and REVENGE.  If you go through so much pain that you want revenge, then you've got it made."  - Bob Roll

In cycling, there is something known as the second wind - essentially, one day you have a bad day on the bike, and the next day, you're almost guaranteed a great day.  This goes for training and racing.  For me, I have experienced a mental block in the last couple of days, due to exhaustion and plenty of pain, and now it is time for my second wind to sail me through the rest of this trip.  I'm ready to do whatever it takes - however long it takes - to far exceed the level of training that I've ever done.  

In the past couple of days, I've been trying to establish some ideas on my newest endeavor in cycling outside of personal training and racing.  I have been coaching for Summit Jr. Cycling for several years, and now that I have a chance to move most of the program's weight onto my shoulders, I am not going to take the responsibility lightly.  The program is where I got started in my career, and it is where I would like to give other young riders an opportunity on the bike like mine - or better.  I am currently working out the logistics of this NEW SJC, and have received a little bit of doubt on whether I will be able to run the program at the level that I would like.  Anyone who knows me, knows that this kind of subtle discouragement is the right kind of kindling for me to prove everyone wrong.  It's what I've always enjoyed doing, and what I will continue to do.  I have 100% faith in this new program; all I need is for riders and sponsors to jump on board, and we'll be all set.

Giverola was intense, but it was essential for my development as a cyclist.  The training was not unusual, and in fact, I was surprised by how good my legs felt after the initial couple of days.  The pain - in the end - was mostly mental, and for me, this fact is unacceptable.  It's unacceptable to let the mental aspect of the sport interfere with my own physical potential for one reason: I can easily change my mentality towards training and racing.  I can't easily change my fitness, but if I'm physically fit, and the only thing holding me back is mental frustration, that's unacceptable.  It's time to get motivated.  It's time to move on from the humiliation and the basic fact that the Swiss are going to be fast.  It's time to return to my normal, self-motivated mentality.