Time to pick yourself up again

I really enjoy reading and one thing I have found is that if I want to become better at something I often read a book about it. I think learning through others expertise is very beneficial to me.

I wanted to overcome adversity and triump through a devastating time in my life so I read Aron Ralston's book Between a Rock and a Hard Place.


I wanted to become a better runner and train for a half marathon so I got a book and studied it and studied the training schedule. The Non-Runner's Guide to Marathon Training.

I want to ride my mountain bike better and so I got a book written by biking extraordinaire Lance Armstrong's coach Chris Carmichael who developed Carmichael Training Systems. I also took the time to email Gene Hamilton and get his mini coaching guide online. Gene does mountain bike training camps and has some excellent tips that I have utilized and seen great improvement in a very short period of time.


Today I ventured out on the stagecoach road ride that I have been trying to become better at climbing. I can do the ride from bottom to top with an elevation gain of almost 800 feet in about 32 minutes. I really wanted to hit the top at the 30 minute mark today but was unsuccessful.  I've learned the key to my success is hydrating. I don't think its any coincidence my two favorite beverages fit in my bike holders. Of course I transferred the drinks to my water bottles so I wouldn't have to unscrew the caps while riding. I had begun the ride by inflating my rear tire a little more and I  put my pump back on my bike. Apparently I put my pump back on upside down and when I began my descent  the pump kept rattling so I stopped to adjust it. I guess I had to learn a lesson in completely dismounting the bike before adjusting the pump. I left my left foot clipped in and just as I had finished placing the pump back on the frame correctly I fell to my left. At least I caught myself and it didnt hurt too bad. I picked myself up looked at my hand, looked at my knee and laughed. I got right back up and rode to the bottom.


I correlate dusting my hand and knee off to life's lessons. We all have to have that one occassional bad day or sometimes even week or month, however, it is truly which decision we make that will determine the outcome of our reaction to that challenge. Those three decisions are as follows: allow the challenge to define you, debilitate you or strengthen you! Personally I like the strengthening option.

time to appreciate the little things

Today I set out to spend some time trying to overcome an obstacle I've faced twice and failed.

I began my bike ride at the bottom of Stagecoach Road and I wanted to get through the ascent to the second cattle crossing with out dismounting my bike and pushing it up the hill.  I also wanted to do a long ride and get to an area I discovered by accident two years ago.

I had my water bottles, my two extra hydration bottles and I packed a little lunch and some quick energy source foods.

I began pedaling up the hill just before noon. I got to the part I had nicknamed "death hill". My legs have hit failure each time I've tried to pedal up it. Today was different. I have been reading a book that had some good pointers for me. I also got some good advice from Rick at the bike shop. Today I put my full effort and determination into accomplishing that climb. I did it and when I got to the area just past the second cattle crossing I stopped, took in the scenery pulled up a little seat on a rock and had a little lunch and continued on in my ride.

At the three hour mark I reached the area I wanted to and took in the incredible view. The ocean and Morro Bay Rock to the west and surrounding by trees and rolling hills and mountains. I went through burn areas with new growth, national forest area, botanic gardens, across disintegrated black top over rocks and passed wildflowers in order to arrive there.

The descent took me approximately half the time. If someone would have said I would be doing this 3 weeks ago when I got my bike I would have told them they were crazy. The thought of downhill on a dirt road terrified me. Now it's something I take as a fun challenge and it's been just one way for me to grow and improve and come closer to my goals.

I took an hour break after my ride and then I went running with my fun hash group. At one point during the run I said I didn't want to see any more hills. Then we came to an absolutely amazing view at the top of a hill overlooking homes and hills and falling down into the ocean near the avila pier it was one unlike the view I had taken in earlier today and I was grateful I pushed myself up one more hill and I got to enjoy discovering another area near where I live that I was unaware even existed and it was absolutely incredible.

More than anything today I was so grateful just to have this time to enjoy myself and appreciate all the little things I have to be thankful for.