What would you do for a new bike?

Race season and training is in full swing. We are pushing our bodies to points we didn't think we were capable. But we don't do it for the bling. We do it because of the high from pushing our bodies to limits we didn't think possible. Okay, sometimes it's for the bling.

This past weekend Mitch was in another room just giggling as he watched a video on his phone. What he shared with me had already been seen by thousands. A father, plugging his insurance company, doing the Stinky Fish Challenge. He bets his wife and two young daughters they couldn't sit through him opening a can of Surstromming (basically rotten fish) and eating a piece. Each person picked their own prize. One daughter asks for a new bike, the younger one wants a Flipzee Girl doll and the wife's prize are diamonds. One guess who I was rooting for.

Be sure to watch the video with the sound on and watch it through the end.

Yes it is funny, but what impressed me was this little girl's determination to get a new bike. She sits there and proclaims it smells like a "toot", but doesn't gag, encourages her dad and just is fixated on that new bike. She wills herself to sit at the table while BOTH her parents and little sister are literally retching from the smell.

It is amazing how we can will ourselves to do something if we keep our eye on the prize. Be it finishing that big race, tackling a big climb or like this tough little girl...block out the stink. Mind over body is an amazing thing and we put ourselves to the test every time we clip into those pedals, zip up our wet suit or lace up our running shoes. You can do anything you put your mind to. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.  Be strong, be fierce, be bad ass.

I hope her dad came through with an amazing new bike for his daughter. She's going to be a power to reckon with now and in the future. So to this little girl, I say...w

Enjoy the new ride,
Sheri

Do epic sh*t

As we age, it’s harder for us to get out of our comfort zones. Push ourselves to try something new or achieve a goal we thought unachievable. What’s so great about being out of your comfort zone? It makes you uncomfortable. But then like magic it makes you feel stronger, empowered and energized.

Betty Designs, a woman owned and run athletic apparel company, launched a line of wrist bands and gear with mantras to inspire as well as empower women. And it works! 

Recently I found myself in a rut, almost like being on a hamster wheel. But in the last two weeks I’ve pushed myself outside my comfort zone. Spring time…time for new beginnings and time to shake things up. Right?

First, I started a weekly hilly ride with one of my local bike groups. I dislike hills and have worked in recent years to embrace them. Telling myself, they break you down only to build you up. Last week was the first ride of the season. It was me and 8 guys. It started out as a bit of a hammerfest with me clinging onto the back of the paceline gasping for air. My head was swimming with thoughts of not wanting to get dropped, but most of all, don’t make them wait for you. Yes, I was out of my comfort zone.

I’m determined to keep this weekly ride and ultimately become a better climber. This group will make me a stronger rider, pushing my limits with every ride.

Today was my second “out of my comfort zone” moment. We’ve been lucky to have a mild winter and a string of warm days. Loathing the black line of the pool and anticipating getting back to open water swimming, I was excited to hear the Otters were taking the plunge this morning.

I don’t do well in cold water, but the desire to get in open water, trumped everything else. So this morning I put on my big girl suit and headed to the lake. The group milled around with excitement of getting to swim open water again…it had been since October. I started to question my sanity until my friend took out her Betty Designs swim cap. In bold letters it said “Do Epic Shit”. It spoke to me and I jumped (okay slowly lowered myself) into 58.6 degree F water. It was definitely frigid, but I pushed myself to swim to buoy 1, then buoy 2. Somewhere between buoy 2 and 3 I just got too cold and turned around. But I felt exhilarated, or was it hypothermia? Getting out of my comfort zone energized me. Made me feel alive again. Zero regrets. 

To keep this theme going we head out east next month to do some crazy rides with some major climbing. It’s going to be tough, but I know in the end I’ll be stronger and empowered.

So go out and do some epic shit and be a bad ass. It’s empowering in a world these days where sometimes you feel powerless.   

Enjoy the ride,

Sheri