I’m in the middle of a big week of riding. Actually this is my second week in a row of some pretty high volume and extra intensity. Initially when I looked at my plan, I was disappointed to see a short 90 minute ride on the schedule for today. I wanted to do a double-day – maybe 90 minutes in the morning and then a mountain bike ride in the afternoon. But I stuck to the plan. There is after all, a reason for the plan.

Well, lets just say, my coach is one smart dude. Somehow he knew I’d be feeling a bit wiped out today. 90 minutes was just what I needed. I even did it at the recovery pace. I just pedaled, listened to my iPod and took in the scenery. Very relaxing ride. Suffice it to say, after today’s ride and a 30 minute walk to the local plaza, I’m tired.

Best get to bed soon because there is no rest for the weary on Friday. Nope – three hours with a 30 minute tempo block at the end. Should be a good one. I’m counting on the rain having stopped and the roads being nice and dry… Looking forward to the ride. This week I’ve been heading out towards Richmond and beyond. Think a Malakoff Road ride is in order tomorrow.

Weekend is shaping up nicely with a mountain bike ride and then a long four hours on Sunday. The plan for Sunday is to ride out to the Calabogie race track to watch Marc’s race. Only bummer is that Marc’s race starts at 11:30… So I’ll be leaving kind of early – but at least this way, I’ll get to watch Marc race.

Really, not much else happening. Just enjoying the training and remembering to be patient. I’ve got to say that I’m getting addicted to long rides. There is something to be said for solo four hour rides. Though by the end, I do find that I talk to myself. So long as I don’t answer back, I guess I’m okay…

So I’ve had a couple of good days of riding. Two days with two long rides, giving me a little over 6.5 hours to think, ruminate, and write in my brain as I pedal away. Funny what pops in and out of the old brain after a couple of hours of sitting on a bicycle seat….

I was listening to some pretty smart guys on a new-to-me podcast called Sporkful – really podcasts about food. Interesting topics were debated such as – what makes a good iced coffee?, the best type of peanut butter sandwich?, popcorn eating etiquette – so you get the idea. So in and out of my thoughts of food and my longing for a peanut butter, honey, and banana sandwich, my brain wandered to motivation.

Everyone has goals. In my opinion, each and every goal is a big goal. If the “thing” is big enough to be attached to the word goal, then it is a big deal. Goals are personal. But sometimes they need to be public. For some people, like me, I like to “put myself out there” – letting you know what is going on and what I’m shooting for. Others prefer to keep their goals close – this could be a privacy issue, a fear of failure, or just a whole “mind your own business” mantra. Whatever – the important thing is to have goals. Goals keep you going. They motivate you.

So as I was riding, my thoughts wandered to my neighbour. My neighbour is a technical writer (like me) and an author. He is working on a novel and has another one in the rumination phase. Anyway, he has developed a character that lives in Scotland, and my neighbour has always wanted to go to Scotland to fully research this character he has been developing for 26 years. And now he is going. Very cool. Very inspiring – here is a person who has been devoted to his writing and character for 26 years – some would have given up on the goal of visiting Scotland, finding excuses for why it “wasn’t possible”, “not realistic”, “a pipe dream”. But not Ross. He stuck with it and now he’s going. Dedication for 26 years. More motivation and inspiration for me – Ross is doing it – he is living his dream and seeing his goal come to fruition.

Really, if you look around closely and pay attention, you’ll find that you’re surrounded by motivation and inspiration. There are no excuses.

Thanks Ross, for the inspiration and dedication. Looking forward to hearing all about your trip.

Impossible Is Nothing.

My favorite shirt bears this Adidas mantra on the sleeves. The mantra really sums it up for me. Three simple words that just make sense. Take this mantra and apply it to anything. Sports. Music. Art. Life. Daily chores. Anything or anytime where you might be prompted to say, “I can’t do xxx, it is impossible,” or “It’s impossible, I’ll never be able to do it.”

Nope. Not the case. Just listen to and think about what the words really mean. Impossible Is Nothing. If I were a tattoo person, this could be worth some ink on the body. But I’ll stick to displaying this mantra on my favorite shirt. Funny, this mantra really does mean a lot to me, but when asked to put it in words, I’m struggling. Perhaps because it is so darn simple and honest. Or maybe because it really is not that simple at all.

For me, well it sums up my daily life. I’m at the bottom of big hill again – lots of new goals, new life path, and things on my list. It really does seem “impossible” but I know based on my own personal experience and success, that I can do it. I can get through/over whatever barriers pop up during this uphill climb. Impossible Is Nothing. Just Do It. Whatever mantra you use to keep you going, just make sure you truly believe it.

I’m feeling good these days. Legs are coming around. My head is on straight. Life off the bike is coming together really well. I’m surrounded by opportunity these days. Life is pretty darn good. But it helps to always be aware of what has been achieved and most importantly what is still on the list. No room for complacency. Not much time for self congratulation or back-slapping.

To get to the next level, it is key to keep my eyes firmly planted on that hill cluttered with barriers. Good things can only come from knocking them down.

Impossible Is Nothing for me.

And you?

We have an overflowing basket of Ride with Rendall clothing for sale.

It is mostly all men’s medium.

This clothing is In excellent condition.

Jerseys – short and long sleeve
Bib shorts
Jackets – different weights
Vests
Skinsuits – short, long sleeve, and thermal

If you’re interested, drop me an email at vickith@yahoo.com.

Thursday’s ride was wet. Really wet. But I’m not made of sugar so there was no risk of melting. Luckily I had my trusty BioRacer rain jacket and wonderful MEC waterproof pants (recently patched up by mom). But it was still wet. And cold. I really didn’t want to go out for 3.5 hours in such weather. I even deliberated about flipping my work-outs – doing Friday’s 90 minute ride on Thursday instead. But, there is a reason for the plan being laid out the way it is. And besides it very well could have been pouring today on Friday. (It is not raining but it is cold zero celsius…)

I bundled up in all the waterproof clothing I had and headed out on country road 23 off to Buckhorn. I had a great ride. Definitely felt the cold, rain and efforts from the week in my legs, body, and mind. But I told myself this was much more preferable to sitting in an office… I also thought of Ray Zahab running across the Sahara desert – rain and cold was much easier to take than driving sand and the unceasing heat of the sun. It also helped that I was listening to Definitely Not The Opera (CBC) podcast about sacrifice – helped keep everything in perspective and made riding a bike in the rain that much easier to take. I had a tasty Clif Luna bar to keep me company – nothing quite like the combination of chocolate, caramel, and nuts to help warm me up (Luna Caramel Nut Brownie flavor).

When I got home, my parents both wondered why I didn’t come back early (I told them how I stopped feeling my feet after 90 minutes…). I never really thought about cutting the ride short. I have to think that, either my competitors are out there training in the same conditions – so I have to as well, or that they are not out there training in such conditions – so I have to be out there training when the going gets tough – giving me an extra pedal stroke over them. All my dad said was “you must be pretty dedicated”.

I suppose this is the case. But really, when I think of the sacrifices that Marc makes so I can ride my bike and focus on training and when I look at my sponsors logos on my clothing – I’m reminded how lucky I am and how I really have the easy job – get out there and do something I love every day.

Perspective is an amazing thing.