Athlete Blogs
February 9th, 2010A turning point? Maybe...
This will be short - and not entirely cycling related. Consider yourself warned.I just got home a few minutes ago, was in Philly for a management meeting known as a QBR (quarterly business review). QBR's are a meeting where a sales rep presents his business plan, forecast and such to management and is usually a high stress, firing squad type event that you have to be 100% prepared for. I wont' name names, but my previous employer's QBRs were absoutely like a firing squad, a tank of piranhas that would seek out the weak, the less than prepared, and tear them to shreds, often resulting in firings or being run off eventually.
My current company (EMC) is not quite that bad, but bottom line, if you are a successful and professional high tech sales rep, you should be able to talk about your business intelligently. This is one of the first QBRs I felt well prepared and excited about - and it went quite well. Which gets me to my point of this post.
My point - it's good to be good at something. Most of us have something (or multiple things) we are good or even great at. Something you feel separates you and makes you unique. Maybe you are a good bike rider, a good husband, a wizard with an airbrush, whatever. It feels good to be good at something. We can't be good at everything though - not all at the same time.
One area I am very very proud of is being a successful coach. Coming from a selfish, "it's all about me" bike racing background, I would have NEVER thought I'd take so much pride in seeing my athletes succeed, nail their goals and be so excited about it. The past 3 years have been great, and this year the level of success, positive energy and excitement have reached a fevered pitch - and I love every minute of it. And quite frankly, this is more exciting and exhilarating that winning races myself, a mountain I have climbed enough times that makes this new area of focus great.
Another area I am also particularly proud of is work - my professional life as an enterprise sales rep at EMC. I've been in sales for 10+ years now and it is very much like cycling - very much up and down, highs and lows. You are only as good as your last quarter, your last big deal - but when you are on top the rewards and recognition are awesome. I have had some excellent years, some so-so years but overall I have been able to provide for my family in a way that secures our future and without selling my soul in a cube 60 hrs/week. So I feel incredibly fortunate for the path I have chosen and the people, experiences and challenges therein.
I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Kristy - my relationship and time with her is the #1 most important thing, my most precious moments and experiences. This has only become more and more true as the years tick on.
Which brings me to cycling. I'm only OK in that department right now. Not entirely by choice, not at all in fact, I love riding my bike and going hard and I love nothing more than ripping legs. If that desire is ever in question, I'd refer those in doubt to 3 national championships in a row. You don't get lucky 3 years in a row.
But over the last 9+ months, I haven't been able to train the way I want, as much as I want. I've only been able to ride 7hrs/week or so, sometimes much less. It's like my body is failing me - or at least it needs some serious work - which hopefully will be done in the next 8 weeks or so. I'll leave off the details for now, some of you are aware of the struggle, but let's just say I wish I could ride more, be pain free all day, but right now I can't, it's impossible. Assuming I can get the right surgeon to fix things up for me - hopefully I can salvage the second half of the season. So until then, I plan to do what I can tolerate, I may show up at some local events and group rides, even some short races like crits - but don't expect much - other than a new kit I am extremely proud of (thanks mike!).
Totally unrelated: A client of mine was thinking of getting "into" blogging. He's old, like me, and even bought a book on blogging. I had to laugh, but not at him - but more along the lines of how it makes me feel old some days. I told him blogging was without a doubt first for you - and then second for anyone who cares to read it. It's like a diary that you bare your soul - should you choose - and if anyone finds a connection with it or enjoys reading - then that's just upside. So to my nameless client - go for it. If you want to blog here on PE, let me know. I suspect a number of folks would LOVE to hear about a hot shot surgeon, x-national caliper runner turned cyclist with a great sense of humor. Especially when it comes to roosters
So for now - back to what is working well for me right now. So while you might not see me ripping legs at your next race, if you see someone line up for the next event in a "team CCT" kit - know that they are packing some serious dedication, expertise and category killing power (I know have 3 guys at or near 5.5watts/kg).
Cheers,
Pete
