lessons learned

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i started this blog in december of last year in hopes of recording ideas and events that go into racing mountain bikes family style. a year into recording this madness and i can now take a moment to look back on some of this.

  • i really like the fact that there is so much to learn. the bike, the fuel (nutrition), the course. there is always something to learn about these and more.
  • i also learned that it does take time and money to do this. sometimes i do wonder if racing is the best use of time and money considering everything. for me it boils down to my boys seeing that you can live out the life you desire. i don't know if they will get into biking and/or racing but i do want them to see their parents dreaming and acting on that.
  • there will almost always be an obstacle in the way. i started riding the earliest in the year ever for me this year. i felt the best i have ever felt on a bike in april/may. very early i started getting little annoyances like a knee pain, tennis elbow, work challenges, normal marriage things to work out and then culminating with a broken hand the night before the last race. one of the things that i love about this is that it has strengthened my ability to get over it and get on with it. things that may have stopped me before and things that stop most people are surmountable. it feels good to know that i can work through the obstacle and racing helps see that.
  • racing is a good place to grow. a typical race is filled with a lot of good people. you see what people can do and you see how they do it. most things you see people do are admirable and some are even inspirational. just like life you will also see some things done that you don't admire. by racing you see some of the best and not-so-best in people and i see some of the best and not-so-best in myself. that makes for a great opportunity for learning what i want to do and be both on the course and off.

i am excited to take these lessons with me into the 2010 season and maybe even add one or two more.

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