You don't know me - Ways self-awareness makes you a better racer

You can watch the Video on the story here:
https://youtu.be/SboHc-tE_gk

These are my thoughts and opinions on the most heartbreaking crash of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.  Shanaze Reade, a teenage phenom, was dominating woman's BMX making her the favorite for the gold medal at BMX Racings debut in the Olympics.   Coming out of retirement, the indomitable   Anne-Caroline Chausson, brought competition to Reade that ended in the last corner of the 2008 Olympic BMX Finals.

The year is 1951 and the points have come down to the final race in Barcelona.  The greatest racer of all time lines up next to his rival in a newer more powerful Ferrari.   This was the culmination of the just the second official Formula One championship season.  The pre war Alfa Romeo's that dominated Grand Prix racing went head to head with Enzo Ferarri and his newly built monsters.    

Rivalries are essential to racing, knowing the stories the heart breaks and the passion of these legends helps ground yourself in how the world of racing works.  Ascari and Fangio are the perfect example of two men who raced with different styles in a time period of change.  They also laid the base that modern Formula One is based.  

In 1997 the deep throated sound of a four stroke graced the ears of all that attended the Supercross finals in Las Vegas.  Amongst the choir of high pitched racing it was Doug Henry aboard the YZM400F that took the podium.  While that moment in the Las Vegas night was the shining example of change in the bikes that would line the gate, the YZM400F itself had a story of its own.

We, cyclists, are a little crazy.  Finding new hills to put your lungs on the verge of exploding.  New trails that actively try to figure out new and creative ways to break your bones.  Even the bike that you call your best friend will seem to find the perfect moment to crush your spirit.

We all find ways to make ourselves continue on as the world does its best to destroy us.  Whether it's by having some internal conversation with yourself for two hours or shutting down any emotions you have, well prepared for the night terrors that will haunt you later that night.  These are just two examples of what are known as Grit.

In 1910 during the Milan-San Remo, a spring blizzard blew over the Turchino pass.  A small, stern and very practical Frenchman by the name of Eugene Christophe showed the true depth a man with an endless tolerance for pain can endure.  This story is a tale that you can look back on as your legs are on fire and you don't think you can go any further and tell yourself that, maybe, you need to think like a tiny turn of the century Frenchman.

The finale of the Rivals series.  Circumstances had taken their toll on Laurent Fignon and Greg Lemond.  The lead up to the showdown at the 89 Tour de France was upon them.

After the split between Hinault and Renault, we find Lemond getting the contract of a lifetime to become Hinault's super domestique.  This lead to the greatest internal rivalry a team had ever seen and the first racer from the United States to win the Tour de France

 The epic finish of the 1989 Tour de France which ended in the tightest margin victory in the races history, just 8 seconds, was the culmination of a decades worth of rivalry, team camaraderie, and the career twilight of the racing master who took the young talents under his wing. While the decade ended with a dual of two champions, it started with Bernard Hinault, on the hunt for dominance. Powered by the French industry titans of Renault and Elf, Bernard Hinault led a charge to snag as many Tour championships as he could. Little did he know an injury would open up the opportunity of a lifetime. This led to a battle between Laurent Fignon and Bernard Hinault who left Renault to the newly created, hyped up, La Vie Claire team. Hinault would not only have to race against his young replacement but an up and comer in the form of the American, Greg Lemond. 

Ways to ease your way back into training.  Of course its more mental, its stupid cold and wet outside and the trainer is boring.  You haven't lost your fitness its just sleeping waking it up will be about you not getting burned out on training because the couch is a nice warm place to hang out at night.

Knowing yourself is probably one of the most difficult ways to become a better cyclist and most likely a better person in general.  The work will pay off though.  Knowing yourself means you'll know how to better yourself.  From knowing how to avoid poor racing situations or being able to manipulate the race to suite you.  This podcast can dive into a few reasons you should zen out and meditate your way into knowing who you are little better.

I was reading an article on Cycling Tips about Dr. David Spindler and how he helps pro cyclists in the peloton most notably the former Dimension Data team.

His interview was full of insight in what it was like to work with athletes at the highest level, with their needs and wants against their struggles with normal life.

The idea of how much we as cyclists ignore out mental state as we grind through training and racing really hits home.  Especially when you have responsibilities.  

Take a listen and think about taking care of your mind as begin your 2020 season.