Just a Little Patience
Written by Russell
Tuesday, 13 January 2009 13:33
"This shit takes time"
Those were the words spoken to me by Paul Willerton back in 1995. Myself, a teen coming through the ranks and Paul, a veteran of European cycling. He was fresh to Bend after racing with Greg Lemond on Team Z and the new Subaru-Montgomery Team. I had taken to Paul as a training partner and gleaned knowledge from his years racing in Europe in events such Paris Roubaix. I was young, eager, and enthusiastic. But patient, I was not. I would sit on Paul's wheel for hours and ask for advice on how to get better. And while this maybe not sound profound, this advice holds true for all endurance athletes. I still hold onto this advice and share this with my clients. This sport takes time.
A great many things go into cycling to affect your performance; the physical abilities, the mental capacity, and the ability to stay healthy to reach your potential. The preparation for cycling can happen immediately but the results take time. It takes years to develop as a cyclist. The physiological adaptations can easily take three to five years to develop. The mental skills take even longer.
As a young cyclist, I found this frustrating. I wanted to improve tomorrow, if not today. As I have gotten older and spent the majority of my life in the sport, and have spent a decade working with others to enhance their performance and enjoyment, I am content with the process. Yes, it takes time. Do I find that frustrating? No, I find it reassuring. Rarely do I meet a cyclist who is at their full potential. The process of becoming your best takes time. It's refreshing to know that after years of racing and training, we can all still improve. So if you are finding yourself anxious over your current status, remember.... This shit takes time.
RC