You give, you get
October 7th 2008 10:38
A friend said something that actually cut a bit deep yesterday (and we have resolved it!). Essentially he said, "you're lucky to have the luxury, to do something like 5Towns." What that off the cuff remark did was set-off a whole lot of memories and experiences associated with 5Towns.
It has been far from easy, far from a luxury. In the midst of caring for a family - 1 great wife, 2 great kids, a business, a couple of developing business ideas, coaching rugby and wanting to enjoy a social life - squeezing 5Towns in has been a bit of a juggling act.
The training has been tough, for two reasons. Firstly, the panic of feeling that what I have done is not enough. Because I have never strung big days in the saddle, back to back over 5 days - time just won't allow it.
Secondly, it's the physical climbing through the Adelaide Hills during winter. I've tried to keep a schedule of 3 to 4 days of intensive 2 hours ride, and then rest, before getting into it again. The physical strain has made it tougher to do all things and not be grumpy.
Lastly, the time for 5Towns has been at the expense of the family, which everyone is cool with, but I personally love being with the guys, so there has been a price to be paid there too.
Sound like a first rate bitch session? Well it's not, because 5Towns has given more to me than I have given it.
I have been challenged in the most wonderful way. Knowing that there are a lot of people counting on me to do something I don't know if I can do, has pushed me to become better at cycling, better at driving and leading people from diverse backgrounds, to really come together and go for a vision.
5Towns has been a wonderful coach. On the last day, of climbing up some stupid hill, just thinking about the pain of not doing it and potential failure was more than enough motivation to continue going.
Getting connected into real people and their lives has offered profound and personal insights into how amazing people truly can be.
And now, when the ride is so close, the anticipation is providing such a sense of excitement.
You can only get so much, when you give so much. George Lucas said that we spend too much of our lives in a cage with the door wide open.
To get the freedom, for self and for doing something out of the ordinary, bolt out of that cage and don't look back.
It has been far from easy, far from a luxury. In the midst of caring for a family - 1 great wife, 2 great kids, a business, a couple of developing business ideas, coaching rugby and wanting to enjoy a social life - squeezing 5Towns in has been a bit of a juggling act.
The training has been tough, for two reasons. Firstly, the panic of feeling that what I have done is not enough. Because I have never strung big days in the saddle, back to back over 5 days - time just won't allow it.
Secondly, it's the physical climbing through the Adelaide Hills during winter. I've tried to keep a schedule of 3 to 4 days of intensive 2 hours ride, and then rest, before getting into it again. The physical strain has made it tougher to do all things and not be grumpy.
Lastly, the time for 5Towns has been at the expense of the family, which everyone is cool with, but I personally love being with the guys, so there has been a price to be paid there too.
Sound like a first rate bitch session? Well it's not, because 5Towns has given more to me than I have given it.
I have been challenged in the most wonderful way. Knowing that there are a lot of people counting on me to do something I don't know if I can do, has pushed me to become better at cycling, better at driving and leading people from diverse backgrounds, to really come together and go for a vision.
5Towns has been a wonderful coach. On the last day, of climbing up some stupid hill, just thinking about the pain of not doing it and potential failure was more than enough motivation to continue going.
Getting connected into real people and their lives has offered profound and personal insights into how amazing people truly can be.
And now, when the ride is so close, the anticipation is providing such a sense of excitement.
You can only get so much, when you give so much. George Lucas said that we spend too much of our lives in a cage with the door wide open.
To get the freedom, for self and for doing something out of the ordinary, bolt out of that cage and don't look back.
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