The pain in my ass, my right foot, my left shoulder and my lower back had reached threshold and were threatening to shut me down. Wisely, I stopped for a moment glancing left as a rider two decades my senior moved swiftly by—probably wrestling with his own pain but none evident enough to be comforting.
I’d been in the saddle for well over 4 hours, the last half of it on a relentless climb made worse by a stiff headwind. Another 5 miles of this steep, tortuous road lay ahead of me before I’d reach the base of what, on paper, was the second “real” climb of the day, Loveland pass.
Saturday I did something I’ve never done before, some thing I never imaged I’d ever do. I rode a bike—yes, as in bicycle—some 120 miles over 3 Colorado mountain passes.
[See my narrated slide show at the bottom of entry]
If that sounds like a lot, it is—even for the most endurance ready of athletes. For me, who’s not the lightest guy to ever ride a bike nor the most likely to be an endurance athlete, it’s a considerable challenge.
I’d compiled a good load of info on this epic ride in preparation, reviewed the route and listened attentively to numerous veterans of the ride. Yet, in retrospect I can say affirmatively that I had a lot to learn—for information is not experience. Fact is I knew next to nothing about what this 120 mile ride would feel like nor how I would respond physically, mentally and emotionally.
I share this not to impress you but to share some empowering lessons I gathered from this adventure into previously unknown realms of strength and fitness, for me. I’m no hero nor am I trying to play one on TV. I was just one of nearly 4000 others who began this annual ride of rides called The Triple Bypass.
Sure, there are more immense challenges in sport and many times even that for some in daily life but just the same, The Triple Bypass is tough day on the bike for anyone, especially an endurance virgin like myself.
As I state in the epilogue of Strength for Life, “Your full potential is in the unlimited capacity of body, mind, heart and soul that can only be found deep within, where your true strength arises. Most people never know the depth of potential because they’ve never been tested or pushed to find out what they’re made of—spiritually, physically, mentally.”
A challenge like this is one way to uncover your inner strength and know what you’re really capable of. It opens up new capacity and releases new potential.
As I was being tested (and I was tested) during my long day on the bike some universal truths about challenge where revealed to me—lessons that will not only help you in any challenge you take on but in your fitness and life.
That is what entry is about—the most important things you, I or anyone needs to know to come through a challenge with astounding success.
1. The obstacles most likely to derail you will be the ones you overlook. Stay tuned each week for a new Lesson for Success in multi-dimensional/media. I think you’re going to get as much out of these as I have. My only regret is that I didn’t have access to this wisdom before I set foot and tail on that bike at 5:45 that morning. RIDE Strong, Shawn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Author, innovator and expert in Life Performance for two decades, Shawn Phillips is as respected for his physique as his wisdom. Working with his brother Bill (of Body for LIFE fame) he helped create the performance nutrition giant, EAS. For a "how to" guide to a Lifestyle of Fitness Freedom, check out Shawn's most recently instant best-selling book from Bantam BooksStrength for LIFE, called by Next-Level in Transformational Fitness, Here.
from The Triple ByPass
2. At times your goals may actually work against your Success.
3. When it gets tough, your inner monologue may take you out!
4. Stockpile a reserve of “proof points” to keep your belief strong.
5. Accept that at some point it’s “going to hurt.”
6. Some times Strength is knowing when to take a knee.
7. A pound of fat is hard as hell to loose!
8. It’s not what you eat that makes you fat!
9. Achievement is in direct proportion to the challenge.
10. Your Life is either Expanding or Contracting: There is No Status Quo.
11. Friends are Strength: Belong to a team and embrace support.
Until Next Week,
Follow Me: /Twitter/shawn_phillips
About the Author
In his 40's, a husband and father of two young children, Shawn has shifted his focus to helping busy, high-achieving men enjoy vibrant, energized, amazing lives!
To help more men towards Life @ Full Strength Shawn created the World's First truePremium Nutrition Shake,
the clinically proven Full Strength .
17. July 2009 at 9:50 am
The 11 lessons may become the 11 tenets of endurance. Awesome.
17. July 2009 at 10:49 am
great article! looking forward to next year! ( I think)
Brandon
17. July 2009 at 12:42 pm
SHAWN-BOY…
CONGRATULATIONS…AWESOME PICS…KEEP ON RIDING!!!
LOVE YOU,Mom
17. July 2009 at 5:26 pm
Shawn,
I’ve read your books, listened to your audios, and watched your videos, and I always believed there might be cyclist deep down in there somewhere. You always seemed to have a spiritual facet and a level of focus that I think fits well with the sport of road cycling. I’m sure you know exactly what I’m talking about after 120 miles in the saddle. I’m looking forward to reading more about my favorite sport from one of my favorite expert fitness authors. Keep up the good work!
James
17. July 2009 at 10:27 pm
I’m so inspired by your ride. Wow! what an achievement! Only a few weeks ago I committed to running a marathon for myself, and for that “challenge” that you mentioned. I’m looking forward to finding that place that resides within me and a little freaked at the same time. Feels good to be working with it though, I know I have the power. Thanks Shawn you are helping me. Sending love and light to you. Rachael.
20. July 2009 at 9:09 am
Shawn
I absolutely love this story about your challenge and your great opportunity to find things out about yourself you might have never known had you not taken it on. I went on my first century bike ride yesterday “The Katy Flatlands” so I know a little of what you are talking about but I grew up in Colorado and have driven over those mountain passes. My century ride yesterday does not come close to the one you rode but we learned some of the same things about ourselves. We are bro/sis in this now because we share the same hurts, mental challenges, physical challenges, thoughts etc – it is an awesome thing.
I will turn 60 next year and want to complete an Iron Man. I have been doing smaller distances tris for years. Why do I want to do this? For the exact reasons you describe in your 11 obstancles – we just want to see what we are capable of – some of us search for that others don’t need it. Thanks for this post. I was beginning to think there was a huge difference between endurance athletes and body builders but now I see we are the same in what we yearn for – to be the best we can be in what we love to do.
Mary C
22. July 2009 at 2:41 pm
Mary,
Congratulations on your challenge achieved… a century is a century! No down playing it.
I think there’s something truly magical about finding and accepting challenges that come with time / distance or competitive measures. It’s not that you have to be competitive or get overly engaged in “winning” but that you have a set goal and date, etc… it’s real and a really strong pull. Plus, you really have to be “@ Full Strength.”
There’s nothing wrong with or no selling “physique/Transformation contests” short… they can be strong motivators for people but they are also largely superficial and often slightly exaggerated. Plus, while lower bodyfat is great what’s the real condition of these people? We don’t really know unless we look inside…
I think it takes all types of Challenges, hence the reason why I have given people “Week 13 & Beyond” in Strength for LIFE… It’s about more than Training for Show… you have to at some point choose to GO.
In Strength,
Shawn
8. July 2010 at 11:18 am
Shawn,
Thank you for sharing. As a prior bodybuilder and athlete I took up cycling several years back as a means to cross train. I fell in love with it and completed my first century here in Colorado 2 years ago. I really enjoyed the you tube clip and will continue to follow your adevntures.
I appreciated how you had to “transform” yourself into a different type of athlete to complete this ride. Like you mentioned, I also am not the protypical “bike rider build”, and seeing an individual like yourself take on the challenge is very inspiring. BTW, I turned 50 this year and am not slowing down.
Best wishes and much continued success
David