It’s not often that I like to admit that I actually learned something from the POS that is Lance Armstrong, but I’m a big enough man to admit that I have.
In one of the myriad of reality shows that popped up about him at the height of his career was about him training to get ready for the season.
The episode that stuck with me is one where he’s training either in the Pyrenees or the Alps. Clearly the Tour de France course had been announced and he was training and doing some reconnaissance on one of the mountain stages (note, this is a very popular strategy with the pro teams). I don’t remember the climb he did that day, but when he summited he was in the clouds, it was snowy and you could tell that he was cold and tired.
So the guy in the follow car (maybe Johan, maybe someone else) gets out and says something like, great workout, hop in the car and let’s go grab something to eat.
The Lesson
Looking back, I don’t know if what happened next was manufactured for the show or if it was sincere, but Lance says something to the effect of, nah, I think I’m gonna ride down.
And whether by design or inspiration, it’s at that point that we draw the difference between that one cyclist and all of the others.
Now, the cynic in me wants to just ignore all of this and point to his doping and how that helped him “win” all of the races that he did.
But looking at it without the emotion of being lied to, I can admit that even though he doped like no other, he still had to train. He still had drive. And he was willing to put in the extra training to make sure that he stayed on top.
At least, that’s the lesson I’m trying to take from this.
Result
So what do I do when I wake up on Sunday morning, the day after a long ride with sore legs, still exhausted and feeling like there isn’t enough water or food in the world to satiate my thirst or hunger, and think to myself, the last thing I want to do it get on the bike and ride a 40 mile recovery ride with 2K feet of climbing?
I get my ass out of bed.
Eat a hearty breakfast.
Get on my cycling gear and I get on the bike.
I’ll never be a Tour champion, but will can still find motivation when I need it.
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My Current Cycling Gear
- Garmin Edge 1030
- Garmin Varia UT 800 Smart Headlight
- Garmin Varia RTL515, Cycling Rearview Radar
- Sidi Wire Carbon Road Shoes
- AfterShokz Aeropex
- Assos Chamois Cream
- Giro Aether
- Oakley Half Jacket 2.0
- Follow me on Strava
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