Stihl Tour des Trees number 24 is in the record books, or for me its number 4, and as I reflect on the past week I realize it was a week filled with many lessons. They are lessons that honestly I feel I have been trying to learn over the past year and yet it took this week to make them really stick.
Lesson #1: When you ask for it a friend will catch you when you most need it
On day 2 the terrain was a bit challenging and at the same time was still incredibly fun. There were some wonderful hills to glide down and get the adrenaline rushing, and there were steep hills that got the heart rate way up. The most challenging part was when you would be gliding down enjoying the moment, make a turn, and BAM you were presented with a steep new incline. In some cases you could get enough momentum going to help you, but on others, well it was like hitting a wall. On one such hill I hit the wall hard, really hard. I wanted desperately to unclip and just walk it, but alas I was pedaling so hard I just could not twist the foot enough to clip out. I thought all hope was lost and that I was going to be doing my best interpretation of a turtle any second. Just when all hope was lost and I was going to brace myself a fellow rider had jumped off his bike and was standing at the right place at the right moment for me. I yelled out my desperate plea to be caught so I could prevent my impersonation, and to my great luck he caught me and I was able to walk the hill beside a great friend.
This past year has been filled with moments like this, but yet I have been scared to ask for the help I desperately needed. I felt as though there was no one I could call out to or that no one would even help me if I did find the courage to ask. That one moment last week showed me, or at least helped me to open my eyes, that I am surrounded by people that are willing to help me. I just need to know that it is okay to ask for help and that the journey up the hill is so much better when you can do it with a friend by your side. Thank you Robert for saving me that day I am ever so much in your debt.
Lesson #2: You are never truly alone
One morning I found myself without any of my regular riding partners, they had decided to get a jump on the day and start early, which I don't blame them as that day was a very long one. I started out just the same with the big pack and started to peddle. I rode for a bit with some groups I would never think I could ride with due to how fast they go, but soon I was dropped, no fault of their own but I just am not that strong. But I kept on peddling and peddling. After a while though it really started getting to me, this big black cloud descended upon my head and every instance where I felt alone or abandoned over the past year was just amplified. I was honestly beginning to scare myself with my dark thoughts and the foul language that was coming from it. Then all of a sudden the always happy Maggie came by in the truck and asked if I was okay, lets just say I was not okay and made it clear, I do apologize Maggie for that moment. But I just kept on pedaling. To my surprise the truck stopped about a quarter mile ahead of me and out came a rider and his bike. Here was a rider that could easily out pedal me even on his worse day, I have never really gotten to know this person due to never riding with them. To my surprise he rode at my pace and kept talking to me all the way to the next break. With each rotation of the pedal I found myself becoming lighter as that dark cloud lifted from my head. By the time we got to the first rest area I found one of the riders I normally keep pace with and I was now ready to conquer the day; I went on to bike 101 miles that day.
There have been many a moment over the past year where I have felt so utterly alone. As I look back now I wonder if maybe somewhere along the way I just did not see the random person that was there to pull me along. I have had the mindset that I do not want to share my barn or home with anyone, but now I see I was letting that black cloud win and not letting it be blown away. As the year progresses now I know I will keep my eyes and heart more open to allow someone to enjoy the journey with me, because I can't do it alone. Thank you Greg for riding with me that one morning, you have helped me in ways that can not be measured.
Lesson #3: You can make a positive impact on others just by being you
Through facebook I have shared my many adventures of my barn and house since I purchased it. It has been a year full of surprises, challenges and learning for me in many ways. Throughout the week individuals would come to me and tell me how much they enjoy following me and seeing what I do. There are some individuals who came to me and told me I inspire them; really me inspire anyone? But apparently it is true or so I have been told. Sometimes hearing from others on how you are perceived by them and how you are helping them can make you more aware and really brighten your day. There has been one person that has inspired me to do better, in the bike realm, each and every day. She started just like me with little training and not knowing what to do to become stronger. But through sheer determination and putting in the time she has become an amazing athlete.
Each and everyone of us can be an inspiration to others, always keep that in mind as you go through your day, even at your lowest someone could be looking to you for inspiration. Laurie Skull you have been my inspiration, and hopefully one day I too can become a great rider just like you. Keep on pedaling girl and maybe someday I can ride along side you.
Lesson#4: If you listen to your body, your body will listen too
It is no secret food and I have had a long history of love and hate. I may know how to eat healthy but its another thing to eat it. There are days I wish I could just hook an IV into my arm and get all my nutrition that way, I just don't take the time to eat properly or to drink properly for that matter. In addition I tend to push my body to its ultimate limits and then wonder why I am so tired all the time or in pain all the time for that matter. This year though I really tuned into my body and knew when it had enough of the punishment and when to just enjoy the scenery. One morning I woke up and although I did try to drink enough water the previous two days, apparently I had not because I was not feeling all that well. I tried to pedal through it but alas I finally threw in the pedals and sat out a segment to drink some water. During that time though I laughed, I was educated and I was able to hang out with some friends. After the short break I got back on the bike and I pedaled away feeling much better. I am glad I stopped and listened to my body because otherwise I would have missed out on the rest of the pedaling for the day.
Food was not my only nemesis this year, this year I also had to deal with a rib that just did not want to stay where it should. I have been trying to get it to heal before the trip, I even got it wrapped, but still by the fifth day, it had enough of the ride. The pain was intense and the breathing was difficult. I tried to go on, but I just could not do it. I took yet another break to give it a rest so I could enjoy the end of the day ride into the hotel, and boy am I glad I did that. The ride into Charlotte from the south is amazing, so many beautiful homes and roads lined with large oaks. The best part though, I got to ride in with Andy and Josh. Josh rode with me on and off throughout the week and we shared many laughs and sighs and challenges together and to do the last segment with him was an honor. Andy though, he is a gear head and he is a powerful rider, this was his 20th tour this year. He is an inspiration to me in that you can do anything you want if you just put forth the effort and take care of your body. Even though he slowed his pace for me, breathing was not easy by then, I am thankful that he did not make it too obvious and let me have the thrill of riding with him.
The lesson I learned throughout it all is that when I stop and actually rest I can then enjoy the rest of the journey. Its a lesson I needed to learn, the challenge will be to actually practice it. But as I look back at this years tour I will remember the lesson and take heed to stop and rest every now and then.
Lesson #5: You can't please everyone and not everyone will understand your journey
Confession time, I have only had one really loyal good friend in my life. People tend to come and go in my life quit frequently, especially over the past few years. I don't blame anyone else but myself for this fact, it is really hard for me to be open and free with people, I am a very guarded person. But when I started the bike tours, something changed in me. I found a wonderful group of individuals that are so open and caring and simply amazing; suddenly I found myself with friends that I can talk to about most anything. I started being a better person too and I wanted to share this energy with the world that I was experiencing. But somewhere along the way I also lost a part of me, the part that sees the bad in people and questions them. Some people would say that is a good thing, but in truth it is not. Because in the end it is I that will be hurt when all they do is take and nothing is ever given back. Or worse yet when you start to trust people and they use your rose colored glasses to hurt you in ways unimaginable.
I don't pretend to understand everyone's journey or what is going on in their private lives but at the same time I expect the same in return. But when someone tries to manipulate your journey in such a way that they feel they are helping, and yet not know exactly what your journey is, it can really hurt. Before the tour and especially at the beginning I let this really get to me and it bothered me more than I like to admit. Somewhere along the way though I simply woke up and said, no more. No more will I let someone manipulate my feelings, I will not let them or anyone hurt me, nor will I let anyone make me feel less than what I am.
The moral of this lesson is simple, we are only responsible for our own happiness and not anyone else's. Once we start caring enough for ourselves everything else will fall into place and maybe, through a positive influence, others can reach the same understanding and also find their happiness. Enjoy your journey for it is your own and only your own, and enjoy those that join you for your journey. But never loose sight that it is your journey and don't let anyone else unpack their baggage and join you unless they have the same goal as yourself and your journeys are meant to be traveled together.
I am sure there are many more lessons I learned along the way, but they are still slowly coming to my mind. Each year is a journey for me and I want to thank all of my sponsors who helped me support the Tree Fund through this amazing event. Together we raised $370,000 that will be spent on tree research and education. With every turn of a peddle we are making the world a better place one tree at a time. Now back to training in nine months I will do it again. :)
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