I was just browsing around the NY Times web site and found this very useful read. Though the author is not a cyclist but rather a former basketball player, the message is still appropriate.

Well, really the message of “as if” is pretty much transferable to any domain. Anyway, an interesting read and something to ponder on your ride today.

The excitement has started already. Work has begun on the 2010 World Champs course.

You can read about it here on CX Magazine. Make sure you watch the racer’s perspective video.

So now I’m feeling a little bit hungry. Hungry for success. I want to get out there on my ‘cross bike and start getting down to business. Can you taste it?

I’m sure you’ve heard of Malcolm Gladwell’s latest book: Outliers. Well, I’ve finally read the book. This is the first Gladwell book I’ve read. It is well-written but at times dry – but this is a necessary evil considering the method Gladwell uses to tell us about success and the successful.

Like a lot of people who bought and read this book, I was hoping to find the magical “secret” that I needed to truly become a success. I wanted to know what makes a successful person. So I read. And I read some more. It took me a long time to read this book (and it is not a thick book). I just struggled with my motivation to read the book…. What better reason to read it?

So, the underlying message of this book is this: chance plus hard work creates a success. Hmm, not really that surprising is it? We all know that pure raw talent can only take a person so far. There has to be some luck or chance thrown in. And of course you have to work hard. If this is the message/secret found in this book, then why read it? Because you need to truly understand what it means to work hard and what chance really is.

I’m not going to spill the beans on the entire content of the book. Suffice it to say, this book should be required reading for any athlete out there who is on the cusp of breaking through or is looking for that “secret”. There is a big message in this book – I think the secret is how you apply it to your life.

Keeping my eyes peeled for chance. And learning what it means to really work hard.

(P.S. spring has arrived – get outside and ride!)

Hey dudes! What’s going on? Quiet times here in cyclo-cross land. Suppose we need some quiet to make us crave the action that much more. Don’t know what you’re up to, but I’m in the first block of training for 2009 – 2010.

I’ve been hitting the gym three times a week and moving heavy things around. Wow – I’ve definitely discovered some muscular deficiencies and imbalances. Funny, like you, being a cyclist, I have strong legs. Or so I thought. Through some squats, lunges and swiss ball moves in and the legs aren’t feeling so strong. Lets just say I’ve been making ample use of our deep bathtub and relaxing bath salts. After a week and half, my legs are finally over the dull aches and pains. Not so much for my upper body. These spindly little bike racer arms aren’t such big fans of dumbells and heavy bars.

But you know what? I’m loving it. I love the sensations this work in the gym is giving me. I think I’m actually addicted to the dull aches and pains. That quad tightening that happens when walking up the stairs. That ache in the bicep when lifting a bag of groceries. Reminds me that progress is being made. Reminds me that I haven’t hit the plateau – there is still farther to go.

To balance out the gym work, I’m sweating up a storm in hot power yoga and getting all zen in yin yoga. This balance is so important. The strengthening, stretching, and calming helps keep me injury-free and focused.

Yes, I’m riding as well. Back to the routine on the trainer. I haven’t hit the heavy volume that I was doing this time last year. Keeping things calm and letting my body adjust to the new loads. Solid.

Just like I said early, things would be different this year. So far so good. Feeling strong. Feeling confident. This is the most important component – confidence. Knowing that I’m putting more pieces of the puzzle together. Funny thing is the more pieces I add, it seems the puzzle keeps getting bigger and more holes are exposed. Suppose this is the beauty of progress, success, and the road we call life?

Uh oh, starting to get deep here. Sorry about that. I seriously never know what is going to come out of these fingertips. Some days I’ve got pure gold and others day, well not so much. I consider today to be one of those golden days.

Alright, I’ve got to go. Time to get off this here computer and read a book. What book? Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. Excellent read. Go get it. You won’t regret it. (Poet and didn’t even know it.)

(I’m on Twitter now. Search for me. Follow me. I’ll follow you.)

Wow, just stumbled upon the web site for U.S. ‘Cross Nationals. (Thanks to Twitter…)

Gotta say, these guys are organized. I’m well-impressed. Check out the site. Kinda makes me want to go to Bend. Most impressive that the city is behind the event.

All race organizers and racers should be so lucky…