Happy Saturday! If you’re new to THE CRAZY QUEST, you may wish to read about it here. Basically, I’m tracing my journey as I attempt to answer the question: What would you do if you didn’t know you couldn’t do it?
This week of training: 147 miles
WHY NOT CELEBRATE?
The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.
This week I achieved a significant milestone on the way to my impossible goal. On Wednesday, I cranked about twenty-five miles and averaged more than ten mph.
That’s not a big deal for any “normal” cyclist. Little kids ride much faster than ten mph uphill into the wind. Elite runners race at higher speeds. Ten mph is not very fast by most standards.
That’s exactly how I was thinking as I ended my ride. I measured my accomplishment against “their” standards, found reasons to minimize the result, and actually began to berate my lack of progress.
Then I realized I was falling into an old trap, measuring myself against some imaginary set of external expectations. I turned progress into failure.
When I began hand cycling ten years ago, I could barely move along neighborhood streets. I’d crawl along a few yards at a time, avoiding even insignificant inclines. A “long” ride was five miles, and that took more than an hour. Progress was painfully slow and embarrassing as moms with baby strollers passed me, huffing and puffing and wondering if I’d ever get faster.
Twenty-five miles was impossible back then, but on Wednesday I rode along a beautiful river rushing from the Colorado foothills. I saw deer grazing at the edge of the stream, and watched kayakers paddle with the current. And I wasn’t the fastest cyclist on the trail, but I wasn’t the slowest, either.
Why don’t we celebrate? Why wasn’t I excited about a personally significant event?
We all do it. We’re not world champs or Olympic gold medalists, so our achievements don’t matter. “Second place is just the first loser,” my old coach used to say. I’m not the biggest, best, fastest, strongest, smartest, or best looking, so I’m a loser.
My wheelchair prevents me from dancing or jumping for joy, but why not at least do a wheelie and let out a little “whoo-hoo”? I’m riding farther and faster than I ever dreamed possible. Why not celebrate?
It doesn’t matter what others do, think, or expect. We all need to celebrate those small moments that really make give life its flavor, texture, and meaning.
What can you celebrate today?
If you’re a regular reader, you’ll notice that we’ve moved. The “official” unveiling is supposed to be Monday, but I hope you’ll take a moment to look around our new online home. If you like what you see, click the link below to receive regular email updates.
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