so what is your excuse again, Lisa?

there are days when this all feels like a dream. how did I get here? all of this indulgent chatter and self defeat. then in researching yet another topic, i stumble across this. How do you make it through and still make it beyond? This is strength. I have learned as of late that being strong isn't standing in the fire to feel its burn, its not fighting the storm while the storms rage. It is making sure that when the storm is over, you haven't allowed it to change you. It is the process of walking through the fire that is your strength. New ground grows after a fire. Is this what we are afraid of? And the storm doesn't define you. You came out on the other side of it; better, wiser. Strength has a physical quality, but really the strongest among us, the ones who live in lieu of the storms and fires are strength personified. We all have it in us, everyone of us. Fires and storms. Strength. No excuses.

"Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use. "

As some of the amazing people who I have the privilege of coaching know, the end of the Winter season is upon us. Why is this important? Well, first it means spring is suppose to be arriving soon. Spring means out of doors, riding bikes, flowers, farmers markets, walking dogs and oh did I mention riding bikes? Soon I will be posting the Summer ride list. This year there will be two opportunities to ride on both Saturday and on Sunday. Saturdays rides will most likely take place in the Providence/Pawtucket area, using the bike lanes and bike paths in those areas. The Sunday rides will start local to the gym in Taunton, as was last year and move to locations south and a long the water, Dartmouth, Little Compton and Westport. They are safer and have less traffic. I am planning a Fourth of July ride in the Bristol area, as well, using their bike path and have it wrap up with a lovely sunset dinner. Stay tuned for the outlined plans!!! Getting us ready for the outdoor season, this week will embark on : a chance to use all of the skills developed in class over the winter season in a way that will challenge and inspire your spring riding. "Racing on a bike to nowhere, Lisa? Sounds kind of ridiculous?" I know. It does seem like a crazy bananas idea but we are on this journey together. What you need to focus on is motivation; why do you ride? Who are you on the bike? How can this challenge you to make a move towards greatness, to power, to understand your our strength and capacity? When you are challenged what happens? I fear racing. I fear that I will never be good enough, strong enough, that I am not a star. It gets into my head and then my heart. And like a bad cold, infects me. I can't shake it. I have never had a bad fall, or been crushed in a loss. Its my heads defeats my heart every time. Race day allows one to race the demons out of their head and ride from their heart. It gives you the chance to line up the "haters", the obstacles and speed past them a a pace unknown. It allows to to break from whatever fear is there, so when you are off the bike, you can understand that by moving forward you crush your fear and live from your heart. We launch race week Wednesday night, March 27, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Taunton WOW. I would love to have you participate! The most important thing to bring is your determination, I will have "maps" for you to navigate, numbers and extra water. If you want a visual reminder of why you ride, bring a photo, talisman, something tangible to remind you, motivate you. You so got this!!!! We work as a team and keep the team first. We drop no one and never compete with each other. If you see some one struggle, give them a hand up or a great job, booty pat!!!! Just know you are going to be awesome! More details to come as we get closer... (Life is like a 10-speed bicycle. Most of us have gears we never use.~Charles Schultz, creator of the Peanuts cartoon strip." in honor of my Dad, avid cyclist and all around bad ass George Machado Angelo, 1936-2012)