Author: Neill Campbell

Last year, I never felt like I hit race form. I was just checking on Stava’s Fitness and Freshness graph. According to Strava, I am as fit now as I ever got last summ

er. Well, that certainly confirms both what I felt last summer, and that my training is going well. In fact, training is going better than any winter since I started using Strava.

It gives me some hope that the training is headed in the right direction. I am scheduled for a FTP test Sunday, but might go to the Sauvie Shootout instead if it’s dry and not too cold.

The real test will then come on Tuesday with weigh-in and Power test.

There is nothing better than getting new team kit after a year or two of the same stuff!

1. They don’t think of their fitness as work, but rather a way of life

It’s kind of like taking a shower, sure you can go without one, but you just don’t feel right the rest of the day.

2. They don’t skip workouts

They take training days as seriously as a Dr.’s appointment.
Appointments and meetings get scheduled around their workout time, not the other way around.

3. They take their rest as seriously as their workouts

They know that in order to perform at their best and to get the most out of their body, they have to give it a rest. Rest days and sleep are as essential as the workouts themselves.

4. They eat to fuel their goals

Everything they eat serves a purpose. Protein for muscles, carbs for energy, and produce for vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Treats are done, but never over-done.

5. They tune everything out when they work out

Focus. They know that anything you give your undivided attention to works out better. Being in tune with your body allows them to make tweaks, and know which tweaks to make.

6. They push through frustration

If you think it’s easy for the super fit to get fit, and stay fit, you’re wrong. They’re highly competitive and always striving to hit new goals. They struggle like everyone else with busy lives, stress, plateaus, fatigue, and frustration. But there isn’t a thought of giving up; it’s just a matter of finding their answer.

7. They prepare their food in advance and don’t leave hunger to chance

They know what they’ll be eating the whole day. If they don’t bring their food, they know what they can order off menus and what they can find at a grocery store. Drive-throughs don’t exist in their world.

8. They use their flaws as motivators, not a reason to give up

They see their flaws (even if you don’t) and despise them like everyone else. But rather than letting their flaws bring them down, they use them to motivate them UP.

9. They envision the win-goal-finish line every day

The goal is crystal clear in their mind. The thought of the sculpted body, or winning the race always keeps them motivated. Regardless of life’s pressures they race towards the winner’s tape.

10. Persistence, persistence, persistence

Yes…they are persistent!

11. There are no excuses

They learned early that excuses are time-suckers and don’t get you anywhere near your goal. Better to get it done then whine about why you didn’t.

12. There is no giving up

Going way back to the winter of 2013, I was riding a computrainer a good amount at Uptown Cycles, in Charlotte NC. The workouts were great. I would do a power test

every couple of months, get my threshold power and follow some great workouts. All that work paid off in the summer, and when I moved to Portland, I felt like I was really flying on the bike. Whether I was or not, I don’t think matters as much as I felt like I was.

Part of my goals for 2018 and this blog are to get back into that condition. Hard to believe it’s been that long! I’ve raced and had fun every year. I’ve even had flashes of good form, but never fully found the magic in the legs.

Yesterday doing a Zwift workout, I had a mental-physical connection as the workout started seemingly too easy. But the 3rd of 6 power intervals I didn’t know if I would be able to maintain that

power. It brought me back to those UC workouts and how I felt when I was doing those computrainer sessions.

That is very encouraging, even if I’m still no where near the old power level.

On a separate note, I am getting my PowerTap wheel back today from Jon Lengbehn who I know will have done a great repair on it. the side of the rim blew out when I was putting some air in it, so now I have a new hoop all laced up and ready to go.

 

And now, I’m looking forward to joining the Sauvie Shootout this Sunday. Thanks Springer!

OBRA (Oregon Bicycle Racing Association) posted their 2018 race calendar, which helped fill in the puzzle for me.

I am going to try to make 2-3 mutli-day races. Not sure If I’ll be ready for Chico in two months…

Of course, in addition to these races we are fortunate in Portland to have weekly races most Monday and Tuesday’s along with many Wednesday’s.

I usually make Monday or Tuesday night racing.

3/31	Piece of Cake Road Race
4/14	King’s Valley Road Race
5/5	Montinore Road Race
5/31-6/3	Cascade Cycling Classic
6/9-6/11	Bend Omnium
8/4	Vancouver Criterium

On this, the second day of 2018, I want to take a moment to highlight one of my favorite personal growth resources, Dr. Sparks Actualized Leadership blog.

Like you, I am seeing a lot of social media posts about resolutions in one form or another. Here is what I like about Dr. Sparks writing and work…  It requires deep engagement. Finding our potential is a never ending challenge of balance and effort for which there is no quick fix, five easy steps or shortcuts.

Dr. Sparks has essentially published a book on self-actualization in the form of the articles posted on his blog. I’ve linked above to one that is particularly good to start with, but I highly recommend beginning at the start and working your way through them.