Epic. Brutal. Relentless. Monster. Doozy. These are some of the descriptions cyclists use to paint a picture of the stages that make up the 21 days of riding in the Tour de France.
Even if the last time you rode a bike you were 7-years-old, when you see a cyclist climb a big hill or mountain, no doubt you empathize with the challenge of getting to the top.
Bob Roll, one of the Tour de France commentators and former professional cyclist said after one of the incredibly difficult mountain stages this year that “riders suffering gives meaning to the struggles in our own lives.” Seeing their effort and obvious misery is something many people can relate to literally and symbolically for the challenges in life that are not mere sporting events.
When I think about what drives people to push physical limits, like the professional cyclists in the Tour, I am reminded of the key traits of the highly disciplined triathlete that are discussed in “Triathlon Science” by Joe Friel and Jim Vance. They include internal discipline and self-direction, commitment to excellence, determination, consistency, organization, concentration and focus, capacity to deal with obstacles, enthusiasm and desire, love for the sport.
You may recognize yourself in both your approach to endurance sports and likely even your work or profession. A favorite quote from Friel and Vance’s book is “adversity builds character and becomes an opportunity for learning, opening the way for personal growth and renewal.”
If you saw Andrew Talansky’s crashes and then watched him stop a few days later for a conversation with his coach, you know Robbie Hunter must have said something to him like, “Whatever you decide to do, go on or quit now, have no regrets.” Talansky’s solo struggle to finish Stage 11 before withdrawing from the Tour de France as a hopeful American podium finisher certainly was a character building moment.
The Tour, like some of what we face in life: Epic. Brutal. Relentless. Monster. Sufferfest. But they both have so many beautiful moments, too. And it’s those moments that keep some athletes pushing for a 1st place finish and the rest from hitting the snooze button for a 5 a.m. workout and missing out on an unexpected gorgeous sunrise.
Karen Kovacs PT, OCS is a Clinical Director at Tidewater Physical Therapy’s Gloucester Point Clinic. She is a USA Triathlon Coach and helping to coordinate the 2nd Annual Richmond Endurance Athlete Symposium: A Day of Motivation and Education, January 24, 2015 at The Westin Richmond. Tidewater Physical Therapy and Tidewater Performance are Title Sponsors. Proceeds from the event will be donated to Richmond 2015, host of the UCI World Cycling Championships, and the Brain Injury Association of Virginia.