rkwaki

My one serious post of the day/week. I can empathize and will do so through previous experiences in both situations.
I posted once about a very long, National level road race I was in (guessing 120 miles). Due to the number in the field 120+ I could not hear the pre-race instructions in which they announced the finish lone was up the road about 100m. Each lap had a brutal climb of about 6 km. On the last lap at the base of the climb another very accomplished rider came up to me and said let's go (all the other breaks had been chased down throughout the day) - I of course obliged and off we went. We were never able to put much distance between us and the field, but at the same time they could not catch us. In the closing km of the race as was able to drop my fellow escapee only to hold the field sprint off, so I thought, I sat up in victory only to get swallowed up by the field. I then learned about the finish line move and was devastated. I walked over to the car, eyes welled up, it was my birthday and my dad had come to see me race for the first time - rather than learn from the experience I took my brand new helmet off and smashed it against the road, through my new Oakleys across the parking lot and was looking for a fight I was so pissed. My dad came over and explained to me that I had just learned a very important life lesson. Though I didn't see it at that point he was right. I have never let my anger fuel me in such a rage since, and have to remind myself of the beauty of the sport even if it deals us a bunch of heart ache in our enjoyment of it.

Lesson number 2. Just before getting ready to go pro I was at Nationals and climbing like a beast, ready to demolish all that stood between me and my future in the sport. Two days before the road race a set of railway tracks sent me head over heals and I tore a tendon in my shoulder. Going against all that I was told by our team physical therapist I raced, why? Because in my head I was invincible. Half way through the race I was still top 10 and the field had been obliterated due to the course, and I started failing fast as I could not longer take my left arm off the bar and dropped out. Subsequently I dropped out the next day as well. I have dropped out of, or been pulled out of 3 races in my life. I suffered through the remainder of the season with nagging shoulder issues. Finally I took the time to get it fixed and it came back stronger than ever. It just takes time for the body to heal.

Only advice I can give you (like I told another member last week) is to relax. It really helps the body both mentally and physically. Take the steps you can to get better and don't let anger/frustration fuel your goal achievement remember it's a hobby and you are doing it because you love it and it doesn't pay your bills.

Nuf seriousness for me.

big john

I used to throw and smash things at work. There is a hole in my toolbox where I stuck a pair of needle nose pliers like it was a throwing knife.
I once threw a large pry bar across the shop and it hit a sheet metal sign and made so much noise the whole crew stopped to see what happened.
And, of course, I used to punch holes in walls and doors, but I'm feeling much better now.

rkwaki

You just wait you m'effer - I'll be 40 and I'm gonna smash that qualifier number if I can stop eating pizza.

Wife looked at me this weekend and asked if I had stopped weight training - told her I hadn't missed a workout yet - she said I look tiny - somewhere around 205 this morning - it's all legs baby... Riding with one of my buddies this weekend showed me the hurting a true climber at 150 pounds can put on a flatlander. Though the 3 mile pull I took at over 26 mph hurt the scrawny man

rkwaki

Never been that kind of an anger person (I have never hit a wall or thrown stuff - obviously the above was a one and only) - as in the end it costs me money to get it fixed and that makes me even more angry - I have however knocked out a guy or two
I

topflightpro

Thanks guys.

I tend to be pretty laid back about things. I just reached a new point of frustration on Saturday. And I'm glad I didn't actually throw my bike or leave it. I can't really afford a new one.

rkwaki

Hehehe - I have always found anger and money to be two humbling things in life - one can very easily control the other...

ridethecliche

Sounds like you're (more than) a little burnt out.

Take some time!

SalsaPodio

The RR on Saturday was 38F, sleeting, and windy so I decided not to race so I wouldn't get sick for nationals next week. I woke up and felt like I was breathing through a straw. Still raced the crit but felt like garbage and got 7th. Trying to rest up and get better before this coming weekend.

big john

We did some steep climbs Saturday,(my idea) and one guy is down 30 pounds to 145 and has been training more than ever. Kind of annoying, he expects me to be able to keep up and has been dispensing advice. I hate advice.

ridethecliche

Didn't get a grant I applied for to fund my work abroad for next year.

Have one more that pays for airfare that I'm applying to, so hopefully that pans out. Better than nothing.

Ugh...

rkwaki

Stay positive my friend - good things come to good people.

rkwaki

Can I give you a little advice?
Bwahahaha

jwible

So you're saying he is screwed?

Installing a Red FD in a few and then a test ride to follow.

rkwaki

So you did get the red one that you pm'd me about while you were out of town. I will go nicely with the rest of your theme.

rbart4506

carbon tubulars are all ready...I may be slow, but damn I'll look good

big john

Ha! You know what I mean. Guy goes from fred to fast fred and suddenly knows all about it.

Been trying to get him to come on the faster club rides so he can get his ass handed to him, might calm him down a bit. On the other hand, he isn't really good at holding a straight line.

ridethecliche

Ya probably. Might have to start looking for a job stateside too...

rkwaki

I've been told we have one of those locally and it's funny in the past I have ridden with some who have offered advice and if it sounds dooshy I will ask them what number is on their license and the answer is almost always the same, just upgraded to a 4.
My wife was sitting in the car one day beside a bunch of guys during a race and naturally they are talking strategy (all 5's) and I pulled up to talk to my wife in my hoody and sweats and they get all quiet and start telling my wife what I should be looking for and do, etc. - she being a nice person obliges them and smiles then I start to peel off layers and all I heard was "Ahhh *****" when the sweats came off.

I try to hold off giving advice unless asked and do my best to give advice based on experiences I do not profess to know everything and still have lots to learn. Much of what I have received as advice has come from former teammates who are Pros/Olympians/Pan Am Game athletes and who I hold in very high regard.

I would hope that on here if y'all think something I say is BS, call me on it.

big john

Sure, I like hearing from those who really do know, and I'm aware that I can always learn something from others who may be stupid, as well.

I'm certain a few on here will call B.S. on you in a heartbeat when deserved.

echappist

+1

good luck, RTC

mattm

Seems like an easier problem to fix than fitness.. you just need to tell yourself that you're awesome and they're all scrubs. If you don't tell yourself you're awesome, you probably won't end up being awesome. At least that's how I look at it.

HULK SMASH!!! Awesome.

ridethecliche

mollusk

Hearing that I was thinking you look like this:

rkwaki

Hey Mollusk that's pretty funny...

matt - hulk smash - that killed me. Btw I lied - one day I got pissed in traffic because there was a guy cutting all kinds of people off so when traffic came to a stop I pulled up beside him and he eventually rolled down the window - I nicely said dude you're going to kill someone - he looked at me and said something like ya - what if I killed you? I snapped and hit my dash as i was getting up to get out of the car - dude saw how big I was (at that time) and took off up the shoulder - when I settled back down I looked at my dash and the center vents were hanging out - took it in for 'warranty work'

mollusk

I could tell you funny.

I totally laid off of your post where your wife said that you looked tiny. It isn't often that you get served up such a slow pitch, but I resisted the impulse.