Sorry for the obsessive qualities I have about cycling right now, but that’s what my mind is focused on… bear with me.
I recently did a workout on my bike that consisted of 4 grinding climbs in a gear that put me in quicksand. Every muscle in my body was trying to work together and create a dance of movement. I figured out that I can pull on the bars, use my glutes, scrape my foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke, push down AND pull up, and put my core into action. It was an all-out effort that put other workouts to shame. Every pedal stroke counted because it propelled me that much further so I didn’t fall over. I scrounged to make each one count.
By the time I got to the 3rd climb, it had gotten easier. I was able to shift to a harder gear and dial in my pedal stroke even deeper. My legs finally realized that they couldn’t cheat anymore, and the time had come to put the parts of the pedal dance together to create a fluid motion. The beautiful circle of dance. My mind turned on, my muscles firing, my music blaring in my ears… intensely trying to make it fun.
The 4th climb was my quantum leap. Straight out of the gate, I stood up and hammered the beginning of the climb. It felt easier again, so I shifted one more gear. Bigger gear, bigger confidence. My momentum “leaped” out of my legs, to the pedals, onto the pavement and it felt like there was a magic magnet pulling me up to the top. I got there 30 seconds faster… it was a euphoric moment in time. My reward was solitude, a great song and a vast view of a personally sacred spot. I victory danced; I literally danced by myself, sang out loud and savored the moment. No one could take that away from me, no matter how crazy I looked.
Another one? Maybe not. I still had a fierce head wind to deal with all the way home, so I still had to save some fuel in the tank.
On the way home, no wind, gust or climb could get in my way. I was in a zone like no other. Solid, strong and smooth movements that danced me all the way home. My quantum leap climb gave me legs of steel that couldn’t be stopped. I didn’t think for once that I would come up empty.
With these workouts, I learn that each climb is a stage of positivity, pondering and pain. I talk to myself and send love to my muscles to make it happen. I center myself within my thoughts to believe that good will come. I have a balance between power and inner reflection that create a successful workout, and I walk away with knowing that I can do it again and again.
A parallel to life?
Well, it’s so interconnected. Quantum leaps in life include positivity, pondering and pain too. Turning to movement instead of stagnant. Pushing big gears and knowing you can create the motion. Believing that leaps let you look back and say “Big risk, but… wow, amazing results!” Your power within allows you to arrive at places you never thought were possible. To accept change and embrace it, feel it and allow it. Love it.
Are you there? At the bottom of a monster climb that looks menacing? Don’t be afraid, just take it like I try to: In stages or parts.
And at the top, you’ll be able to do your victory dance.
(climber photo credit)
(vintage photo credit)
