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…

The official training has started! Slow start to the week due to some intense interviews on Monday that seemed to simply exhaust me. Didn’t expect this to happen. Funny how the body reacts to stress.

As you know I’m a big yoga fan. I really believe it is integral to my training and for injury prevention. There are so many benefits to yoga that I could go on and on. So last night I couldn’t get to the yoga studio. But we have a copy of Cyclo-Zen on our Apple TV. Perfect chance to try out this 30 minute yoga work-out. Cyclo-Zen is a yoga work-out that is designed with cyclists in mind. The prime focus is on the hamstrings, some lower back stretching, and some quad strengthening work. I enjoyed the work-out. But it wasn’t really enough for me. I’m assuming this is because I’ve been doing yoga for four years now. This being said, I think it is a great yoga work-out for a cyclist who has no intention of going to a yoga studio and is looking for a routine that will add some strength and flexibility. One thing I would suggest is that before doing the routine you watch the video once so you can get a feel for the language used. Will I do this yoga routine again? Sure – it is good for when I can’t get to the yoga studio or want to add a little extra load to my day. I think this work-out is best used by pure cyclists and not by cyclists who already visit their local yoga studio once or more a week.

That’s my two cents!

Just got back from the gym. First day of my lifting program started today. Wow – it has been so long since I’ve been in a gym. Nice change of pace. I’m training at the Nepean Sportsplex – close to the house, cheap, no initiation fee, and I could sign up for only 6 months. Pretty decent gym – has all the free weights that I need and there is room to use the Swiss balls and therabands. I’ve got to say this lifting program is awesome. John Zahab has put together a two day lifting program for me that I know will produce results. Not to mention the additional stretching and mobility exercises I’m doing now. I’ll be lifting three days a week – upper and lower body exercises and yes, I’m going to do this through-out the summer. Don’t shake your head – trying something new.

Can you tell I’m super stoked to get back to training and building towards the new season? Oh, in my last post I said I had a brand new Stevens SCF1 in my basement. Hmm, I was wrong… I have a brand new Stevens SCF in my basement.

Okay, speaking of the brand new bike, I’ve got a 60 minute date with it. Have a good one. Let me know if you try Cyclo-Zen – curious to know what you think of it.

Well dudes it is still looking a lot like winter out there. The view directly in front of me includes lots of white snow and a big fir tree that is looking a little on the chilly side. It is challenging at times to stay focused on cycling when the weather outside is anything but inviting. Well, I suppose this is why we have a Computrainer in the basement along with a biggish television and a PVR. Time goes by a little more quickly when I’m watching ER or choice films such as Bigger, Stronger, Faster.

I just started watching Bigger, Stronger, Faster the other day. I’m literally only 15 minutes in but from what I’ve heard it is pretty good film/documentary. In case it isn’t obvious from the title, the program is about steroids and sport…

Pretty much quiet around here. I’m getting into a full training program next week. Had two excellent sessions with John Z at the Ottawa High Performance Center. John has set me up with a very challenging strength program. I’ll be in the gym lifting three days a week – goal is to build more functional and explosive strength. I love the way each exercise I’m doing targets more than one muscle group – in my case I need to focus on building glute strength (common problem for a lot of cyclists – hamstrings end up taking the load from the glutes so the glutes in a sense become a dormant muscle). Checked out a couple local gyms last week, settled on the Nepean Sportsplex – good price, no initiation fee, decent size, not super trendy, and close to my house.

Picked up my new road bike yesterday. That Stevens SCF1 is looking pretty darn fast. Thanks Steve for putting the bike together so quickly for me. Much appreciated. Also picked up some new Cyclery team clothing. Lets just say the Cyclery team definitely has the coolest clothes in town – especially the new socks – they are pretty slick. Thanks Vince for the support. Couldn’t do this without you guys watching my back. (Yes, there are baked goods in your future!)

Not to much planned for the weekend. Just about to jump on the trainer for a spin of the legs. This afternoon I’m going to a three-hour core workshop with Mark Laham at Mountaingoat Yoga. Should be interesting and challenging.

Okay, I’m out. Have a solid weekend. Hopefully you’ll have some time to sleep in or even better, take a nap in the afternoon.