Self Containment
Self Containment
Solitude
In recent years I have willingly embraced a lifestyle of solitude – self containment if you will. Feeding my convivial appetite for cycling in an attempt to concoct a stronger, more able athlete has certainly proved to be a challenge.
My training wans, sinking as I become wiled unintentionally to the company of friends and social comforts while home, pleasures of the flesh I call it. Innocent enough to be joyful; sharing a beer with a friend, dancing the night away with a pretty girl, mashing a controller commanding virtual environments on an xbox 360. Yet all hinders athletic growth, absolute focus, the unwavering dedication. Hence I flee the minuscule torpidity of home and seek a training environment devoid of distractions and bountiful in solitude and self containment.
Solitude affords a pleasure of which no one can deprive me of. I anticipate the progression of fitness that each training block unleashes, but I do so aligned with the delicious enjoyment of all those hours of serenity and composure spent ascending precipitous climbs or gazing upon tantalizing oceans of deep blue. How fortunate am I to bask deep in the lustrous delights flowing forth from these successful endeavors abroad! I would not exchange one single hour of such tranquility and content for all those flattering illusions pop culture and 21st century living that my generation are so incessantly intoxicated with. A difficult hill, mountain, ride surmounted, another happy moment seized, a daily routine neatly and elegantly executed on said 16 pound carbon machine accomplished yet again are salutary – self healing to counter the melancholy so many seemingly suffer from. These moments all belong exclusively to wise and well informed time spent in solitude.
Enjoying freedom, the soul feels the extent of it’s energies with greater sensibility and displays powers which it was before unconscious of possessing. Riding without obligation the faculties sharpen, the mind becomes clear, luminous and extensive. Perceptions more distinct, the whole intellectual and physical systems extract more itself in the leisure of solitude than in the bustle of the world. Riding alone; in solitude; the mind explores with unerring clearness all the latent properties of one’s body in a state of attrition.
Solitude not only elevates the mind but adds strength to it’s powers. The individual who has not the courage to conquer prejudices, whose greatest dread is the imputation of singularity, who forms his opinions and regulates his conduct upon the actions and judgments of others will certainly never possess the sufficient strength of mind to devote himself to solitude. Cycling can only strengthen the mental resolve of those willing and able to cast aside “pleasure of the flesh” and accomplish structured training alone, pushing yourself – by yourself and not govern their movements upon speculation from peers and known associates.
However…
Cycling is a team sport, and we all must be armed with a prodigious network of support. Coaching, sponsors, teammates, family and friends all replenish our resources and adaptation to training, voice support and supply fresh ammo during our races. During training I choose self containment – no distractions. However when needed one my burst forth from their solitude bubble and endure the harsh commutes abroad to races, discuss strategies in hopes of victory, seek and discover new contacts in the industry in hopes of securing a new contract – new opportunity.
Solitude now a vestige, the delightful liberty and leisure of training harshly interrupted, we quickly adapt to the change of environment, scenery (the sensual scenic stupor of SE USA) finding new zeal and excitement to reward those times of self containment. Racing after all is why we spend so much time alone, apart from loved ones riding obscure roads lost in the infinite tapestry of asphalt and forest green.
Regardless of failures or successes during racing I return once more to my surreptitious lifestyle and entice yet another training renaissance. The vigor, interest, often officious dedication fuels additional heed to training and nutrition – for a mere days, a week, a month until we race again….
Never back down, never quit.
EuroG
wow.
It’s truly amazing what non-cyclists are missing, isn’t it??
I really think you got it buddy, hit the heart and soul of the training zen. Funny enough, this isnt a place exclusive to bikers and proffessional athletes. THis is somthing that is attainable to all those who train. It might even be something that many serious athletes of any kind have hit, but have not labelled or confined to a verbal description. It may jsut be that amazing free, happiness that is experienced for all its worth. Because most times, when you experience it, the act and means that was used to achieve it, the focus, blinds you from fully grasping what oyu have and how you must go about keeping it….
anyways dude, killer areticle, very well said.
Ryan
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