What are your cycling affirmations? [Archive] - Women's Cycling Discussion Forums

MightyMitre

12-08-2004, 11:01 AM

I wouldn't say they're affirmations exactly, but there was a TV show on a few months ago about every day people tackling a Royal Marines training program.

One phrase that got my attention was mentioned just after the guys had done some huge physical challenge involving hiking up hills.

They all arrived back looking dead the the CO told them to

'Suck it in, make it look easy and feel proud/victorious that you've conquered the hill.'

I've been trying to do this when I get to the top of a big climb. Instead of collapsing in a heap I've been trying to pull myself together, give a big smile, as if to say to 'That was easy' and feel proud that I've reached the hill top, rather than feeling like the hill has got the better of me.

I guess I could sum this all up as PMA, but it's certainly been helping me feel more pro-active , rather than feeling I've just been through a punishment.:p

CorsairMac

12-08-2004, 01:35 PM

Every night when I go home I have to climb a mountain - about 800-1000 ft. I treat every night as a brand new "day" (does that make sense?! :cool: ) I think maybe, just maybe This time I can climb just a little bit farther in a higher gear. Or maybe Just maybe Today is the day I won't have Any traffic to wait on when I have to cross the busy streets. Or maybe Today is the day I set a new "avg spd" coming home. ( I record the spds for each ride since going To work is Down the mountain! LOL) Or maybe today is a good day to sit up and smell the roses! or maybe today is the day I see Louisiana - whos knows his real name - and he'll chat with me during his recovery ride. I also have the beauty of the mountain every night as I ride home and its Never the same - especially now with the sun setting on it and the sprinkle of snow. Anyway - not sure if that was what you were looking for - but its why I keep riding - every day!

BTW MM: Love the new pix!

Dogmama

12-09-2004, 03:45 AM

Head winds and hills are my personal trainers. Think of them like that & they can become your friend.

I'm attuned in Reiki (warning - new age, woo-woo stuff to follow) and found that inviting the energy into my body while going up a particularly long, steep hill suddenly made the climb easier. I don't think you need to know Reiki to do this.

I envision energy entering my body from the top of my head. This energy is intelligent and knows where it needs to go, so I don't direct it, e.g., "Get to the quads right now!!"

This energy exists everywhere, all the time. All we need to do is open ourselves up to receive it. It's a gentle, but powerful process.

maryellen

12-09-2004, 05:23 AM

I keep it simple: "keep pedaling"

yogabear

12-09-2004, 05:26 AM

LOL at the bit about hills being personal trainers...love that too!

Dogmama, hey, that's not woo woo stuff...I myself am a Reiki master :) I do what you describe all the time LOL. I love it :)

I wanted to pick your guys' brains on this stuff for ideas because for part of my hubby's Christmas gift, I am making him his own affirmations for cycling card deck (I am going to be all artsy about it and customize them for him)...so, I promise not to use any of your ideas...they were to inspire some of mine....hope no one minds :)

Bear hugs,

Lisa

ctwirlee

12-09-2004, 05:34 AM

Another Reiki Master on the boards -- but I never thought of "inviting" it to help me up the hills. (What a concept!)
I definitely use it to bless the ride and keep us safe on the road.

Barb

12-09-2004, 09:04 AM

I have two.

The first one is simply weeeeeeeee!!! Cycling makes me feel good.

The second is cycling gives me strength both mentally and physically. You must use your strength to gain more strength.

yogabear

12-09-2004, 01:49 PM

Wow! Hoooray! Reiki people :) (My hubby loves it sent to him during his races...gee, I should attune him so he can send it to me to amplify what I am having sent to myself LOL. All the dogs at the races come up to me when I start to send it out...funny, huh?).

One of my favorites is "I think I can", but knowing about the power of words, I have changed it as "I know I can."

I also like to focus on single words like "Power" or "Strength" or "Stamina" or "Energy"...kinda like a mantra...without the prayer beads LOL.

Hugs,

Lisa

SadieKate

12-09-2004, 03:49 PM

Well, mine is kind of silly but when I was little my dad taught me fear of falling, heights, injury, etc., by holding me off to the side while my brother did anything he wanted and we watched. He was petrified that I'd get hurt. Now I am incremently conquering those fears mountain biking. The latest trick? When my brain starts to take control, I just shout at my brain, "Stop It, Just Relax!!!" Sometimes it actually listens and then, I get all teary-eyed when I conquer something that's just stumped me before. It's incredible what illogical child lessons reach out and take control later in life.

Dogmama

12-10-2004, 03:29 AM

Wow! So many Reiki's! I never thought about inviting the energy to bless my ride & keep me safe. What hand positions would I use on my tires to keep them from blowing out?;)

Yogi bear, your affirmation "I know I can" got me thinking. If you're already doing it, I would want something more positive. For me, the anal retentive linguist, "can" isn't the same as "do". I "can" go up a hill, but will I?

I might say, "I am powerfully going up this hill" or, "I am easily slipping through this headwind." Then, I would concentrate on my legs pedaling in a circle from the hips very smoothly and in control.

That's just me picking nits. :p It probably works for Normal People just fine.

(Isn't Normal a setting on a washing machine?)

yogabear

12-10-2004, 04:50 AM

Hey, Dogmama, ya got me thinking too...you are absolutely right about the usage of "can"...I love it when I think so thank you :) How about "I know I will." ? :)

I like how you make the affirmation specific to what you are doing on the bike. Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing :)

Hey, "normal" is overrated...that is for sure :D I strive to overcome it LOL.

Bear hugs,

Lisa

P.S. In regards to the tires thing...hmmm...wonder if there is some Tire God/dess we can enlist LOL?

Dogmama

12-10-2004, 05:05 AM

"Will" is future tense & you're doing it right now. Another thing I think is how wonderful the view is from the top!

If you figure out who the Goddess of Permanently Inflate Tires is, let me know. I'll build an alter to her!

pedalfaster

12-10-2004, 08:02 AM

I don't know if they are affirmations as much as mantras. I have different ones for different situations:

"I can do ANYthing for 30 seconds"

This one is good for closing gaps or cresting steep climbs. I string a bunch of 'em together if I need to suffer a bit longer!

"Be like water"

For mountain biking.

"Throw yourself off the mountain"

I use this one for descending quickly. It's more "visual" than a verbal mantra. I think about "throwing" (pushing) my bike and body down the hill as quickly as possible.

"Bury the b*tch"

For climbing. :D

JanT

12-10-2004, 06:09 PM

When I first began mountain biking, I took a class at the local community college, and the instructor was like a cheerleader while we were out on the trails. So now when I am in the midst of a challenging climb, I hear his voice yelling at me to "pedal pedal pedal, come on, you can do it, pedal pedal pedal!" Sometimes I say those words as well. And of course, I congratulate myself when I accomplish something difficult with a good old fashioned "Wahooooo!"

This is not a mantra, but something I heard and think of when looking ahead at a difficult portion of the trail: "Do, or do not." So I either commit to going for it, or get off and walk it. It's that simple.

yogabear

12-13-2004, 10:02 AM

Yes, "will" is future tense. Don't want to get into a deep philosophical discussion here, but now IS all there really is, yes. However, I also believe all time is NOW...and all of my realities are available to me NOW, so I don't really get too hung up on verb tenses LOL. I just try to frame things positively.

Just my $0.02 :)

Hugs,

Lisa :)

MightyMitre

12-13-2004, 10:27 AM

I think wording is important. When I started out riding, if I was going up an especially tough hill I used to say to myself.' I know I can do it, I know I can do it' but now I say,

'I'm doing it, I'm doing it - aren't I doing great! I'm going so well'

Ok - so it doesn't always FEEL like I'm doing great, but either way I'm still doing it. Even if I have a totally duff ride I still pat myself on the back as I'm still doing better than people who don't get of the sofa. :p I guess that makes 'You've got to be in it to win it ' another phase I repeat from time to time. :)

And at this time of year I reackon anyone who gets out there and rides, even for half an hour, is a winner in my mind.:p

yogabear

12-13-2004, 01:21 PM

Yes, wording is very important :) This time of year in Michigan it is so cold outside so I wouldn't want to say, "I hope I don't freeze." as my affirmation LOL. Or, when I am anaerobic, I don't like to think or say, "Gosh, I hope I don't die." LOL

But, seriously, I do pay attention to wording. I also like to dream big in a realistic sense and phrase my affirmations that are goal-oriented in a way that is worded as though the goals are already accomplished.

Yay! more ideas :)

pedalfaster

12-13-2004, 05:53 PM

Originally posted by MightyMitre

Ok - so it doesn't always FEEL like I'm doing great, but either way I'm still doing it. Even if I have a totally duff ride I still pat myself on the back as I'm still doing better than people who don't get of the sofa. :p I guess that makes 'You've got to be in it to win it ' another phase I repeat from time to time. :)

And at this time of year I reackon anyone who gets out there and rides, even for half an hour, is a winner in my mind.:p

Thanks for posting this. This time of the year...when I am doing 30 minute runs and ~hour long bike rides (when I can sqeeze them in!) I feel like a slug. I say the same thing "hey we are waaay ahead of the guy on the couch chugging a six-pack!"

Whoohoo..we are da' women!

Feeling just a little bit frisky tonight after my first snow-run of the year here!!! :D

han-grrl

12-14-2004, 12:00 PM

What a great topic. I use imagery and mental training in my spin classes all the time. The group i train on a regular basis have told me they really like it.

A couple of things i do: finish the following sentence:
"I am..." as in I AM strong, I AM powerful, I am as fast as a...they have fun with that one.

the other thing i tell them, don't just think you can, KNOW you can.

MAKE it a good day. don't just have one.

My favorite quote out of Women who run with wolves: It is not the failure that holds us back but the reluctance to begin over again that causes us to stagnate. if you’re scared, so what?

and one to make you giggle:
You know that old proverb about how it takes more muscles to frown than to smile? Ride angry: it's a better workout.

yogabear

12-14-2004, 12:30 PM

Han-grrl,

I love that quote from Women Who Run With the Wolves :) Yay!

I had this visual though when you joked about tensing the facial muscles...I like to watch sprinters who do the 100 or 200...they keep themselves so relaxed that you can see their facial muscles looking like jello...it's quite an art I am sure. I myself can't tense my facial muscles though because it tightens my neck and shoulders...not trying to nit-pick though because your joke made me LOL.

Bear hugs,

Lisa

CorsairMac

12-14-2004, 12:43 PM

ok - so maybe we should ride with happy faces but angry legs?? :D it works for Lance! LOL

MomOnBike

12-14-2004, 07:02 PM

Well, there goes my recumbent grin! :D

No, on second thought, I'm not going to stop smiling on my bike. Life is too short for that.

MightyMitre

12-15-2004, 03:51 AM

You know that old proverb about how it takes more muscles to frown than to smile? Ride angry: it's a better workout.

This is great! I've also got a mental image of riding along with a huge frown on my face, then meeting someone and having to reassuring them . 'No, honestly - I'm having a great ride, I'm really happy.' while scowling as hard as I can.:D

:mad: :) :mad: :)

yogabear

12-15-2004, 06:39 AM

I like the smiles too. I like to smile on my bike especially on climbs because it really makes people think LOL.

I used to like watching Susan DeMattei race...I saw her race back in '96 and she smiled the entire time. This is right before she won her bronze in mtn. biking at the Olympics. So, I have tried to model my smiling after hers :)

han-grrl

12-15-2004, 12:19 PM

Speaking of smiles, did you see Marie Helene Premont smile as she crossed the finish line winning silver and the Olympics (yay Canada!). I could only imagine how good that must have felt. that was such a brutal race course!

In Sport Psych for Cyclists, i really like the animal affirmations:
I personally like I AM A MOUNTAIN LIONESS grrrrrrr

Women who run with wolves is a MUST read for all women. It is heavy, and as my friend who gave it to me said, you must savor it like good ice cream. But there are many many good lessons in there. Most of all it reminds us about the strong female spirit.

I find mental training so interesting. I am hardest on myself, and my hard on myself thoughts are only self defeating. stuff like i am not going fast enough and the like.

So some tips: thought stopping, when you find yourself start down that negative path, just say to yourself, stop and turn the phrase around. this takes A LOT of practice, but does work.

Post ride/race sit down and think about what your thoughts were, what bugged you. (this is actually a neat exercise i did with my coach). then turn them to a positive. example: i did a race (100 km long mtb) in the rain. i HATED the rain. i got myself so frustrated. so, solutions: it was mid summer - so the rain kept everything a nice temperature, and there weren't as many bugs out, and really, EVERYONE else is riding in the rain too (although it DOES feel like the cloud is hovering above my helmet haha) so the bike issues/trail slippiness is just as bad as everyone else. This seems so simple, but next time i went in the rain, i laughed and laughed at how slippy everything was. and then i started training in the rain. and now the rain doesn't seem so bad.

ok, a little wordy, just thought i would share...

Han

MightyMitre

12-15-2004, 02:29 PM

han-grrl -

Do you have the name of the author for the Women who Run with Wolves book. Sounds like a great read and I'd love to give it a go. Is it easy to get hold of?

PS - cograts for getting over the rain. We have lots of rain here in the UK so we're used to it but doesn't meant to say I haven't whimped out of plenty of rides because it 'looks a bit cloudy.'
:)

han-grrl

12-15-2004, 02:59 PM

The book is called Women WHo Run With the Wolves
Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype

by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Take your time reading it. it actually took me almost a year. ok, that wasn't steady reading, but it does take time to digest some of the material. the lessons i have learned are invaluable. stuff like listen to your inner voice. get over your fear (as quoted above) and other little inspirations.

Enjoy, it is well worth the read!

hannah

han-grrl

12-15-2004, 03:01 PM

This is a little story passed along to me, i don't know who the author is. It has a little religious angle. i just find it so inspiring, and i read every time i feel i need some a little push...

i keep a copy in my wallet ;)

i hope you enjoy it as much as i do.

-------------
Pedal!

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited Heaven or Hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him. But later on when I recognized my Higher Power, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that my Higher Power was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was that It suggested we change places, but my life has not been the same since, life with my Higher Power, that is. It makes life exciting.
When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when my Higher Power took the lead, It knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds: it was all I could do to hang on!!! Even though it looked like madness, it said, "PEDAL!"

I worried and was anxious and asked "Where are you taking me?" It laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I'd say "I'm scared" It would lean back and touch my hand. It took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey. And we were off again. It said, "Give the gifts away, they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust my Higher Power at first, in control of my life. I thought It would wreck my life, but It knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my Higher Power.

And when I'm sure I just can't do anymore, It just smiles and says "PEDAL!"

Trek420

12-15-2004, 05:53 PM

reminds me of a very short one a friend of mine says

"If you want to hear G** laugh tell her "I have a plan!"

which on this board would be "I have a route!"

yogabear

12-16-2004, 06:08 AM

Han-grrl,

You just rock! I love that story you posted! I first came upon it about a year and half ago after my cycling coach had died while riding his bike (he was hit by a car). Thanks for posting that...I love getting inspiration from various sources as well :)

Bear hugs,
Lisa

sandra b

12-21-2004, 01:13 PM

My favorite Mantra for going up hills....
firm thighs, firm thighs, tight *** tight ***, firm thigh........etc.

Wheeler is the god of transportation. I have invoked the great god wheeler to watch over my truck for a road trip a long time ago. Even offered up a wine cooler.

mtbstarr

12-23-2004, 07:18 PM

I know the forum is past this, but this is my first time reading this particular one. What is Reiki? Does anyone have any suggested reading one it? It sounds right up my alley. I am one of those hard on myself, self bashing kind of people when I have a hard ride.....and I think this could really help me.

As far as a personal mantra goes....here is a story I let flash in my head when I come upon an obstacle that I have done in one way....but is presented in such a way on this certain trail that it looks really scary. (Like a drop or really gnarly downhill or something)

A martial arts student and his Sensei were practicing in the school gardens one day. The Sensei laid a board on the ground and had the student walk the length of it. "Sensei," the student remarked after a couple of turns, "this is easy." The Sensei then took the same board and spanned a revien with it. The student looked at the board and quailed in fright, "Sensei, I can't do that!!!!!" The Sensei calmly replied as he set foot on the board, "Same board, different mind."

han-grrl

12-30-2004, 08:46 PM

mtbstarr:

how true that is! we were all saying one day, how we can probably ride a perfectly (well, near perfect ;) ) straight line, like following a section of road paint line...but put that line 4 feet up...
eek!

Teaches you to keep your eyes on your own path ;)

kimberly

01-22-2005, 03:25 PM

thank you God

serenity prayer

I think I can (remember the little engine the could)

as God is my witness I will never walk up a hill again (think Scarlet O'Hara)

CorsairMac

01-24-2005, 01:01 PM

Too cute Kimberly - tnx. Not only do I remember the Little Engine that Could but I remember how its ends:

I Knew I could, I Knew I could!

yogabear

01-24-2005, 03:55 PM

Not to be a skunk at the garden party or to rain on anyone's parade, but I was just thinking of the previous discussion here about the word "could" LOL. How about: "I did it! I did it!" LOL :)

Just wanted to get that out there in a loving way :) I mean this of course very sincerely...I read this quote somewhere, not sure how it goes, but it says our thoughts become our words, our words become our actions and our actions become our destiny...something like that :)

But, of course, I put a bigger focus in my life on intention versus the actual words...because I truly believe that energy follows intention. So, if I think positively, the outcome will be wonderful and miraculous...I tend to think in images and be quite visual, so I don't feel the need to be limited by the 'correct' words LOL. This is me though, so I know everyone is different :)

Blessings,
Lisa

LBTC

01-28-2005, 11:13 AM

This is a great thread, ladies! So many fabulous thoughts and stories and inspirations!!

Here's some cute ones that have gotten me through tight spots and difficult rides:

Carpe Trailem: Sieze the trail

Courage is not the absence of fear, it's riding straight through it

This heat is nothing compared to a sweat lodge!

And my favourite for keeping pumped on a great ride: From the Headstones song "Come On": Right now, it's the only moment that counts, right now, right now, it's the only time I don't doubt, right now, right now...etc

Absolutely true about wording - could, can, will don't quite do it for me: I'm doing it! that's the stuff!

And all the little bits of advice I've had....the one A-frame that I still picture my husband going over in front of me to show me the line....and I nail it everytime, thanks to him!
...on a slow, boring, grinding hill - think in circles, pedal in circles
...breathe in for 2 pedal strokes, breathe out for 3
...on that scary little drop you've done before - just do it! don't think!

Hey, anything that gets you up, over, around or though the tough parts works!

And, yes, it's GREAT to debrief after a ride or a race. If something was wrong in how I rode, that's how I learn to do it better next time. I love that whole take the negative thing and turn it around into a positive that hangrl wrote...I can just see you Grinning with mud and rain all over you! That's sooooooooooo cool!

And there's the quiet encouragement I try to give myself when I'm having a poor ride and can't seem to be coordinated or strong about anything: I feel crappy, but I'm still out here doing it. Good for me!!

Keep smiling, ladies!

namaste,
~T~

Hill Slug

01-31-2005, 07:34 PM

As you've noticed from my user name, hills are my personal challenge. This year I am attempting to modify my mindset such that they are in a positive light. :confused: :rolleyes:

So....as I did before I would sing in my head:
I am a climber, I am a climber.....of the world!
(Sung to the tune of We Are the Champions)

doc

02-01-2005, 03:08 AM

I don't hate hills, but they certainly are a major challenge for me too. This is how I get up them.
In my head I just keep whispering:
****, ****, ****, ****, ****,
I swear. I know it's ridiculous, but it actually works.
Then if it's a really long hill, I occasionally switch to:
this is for your butt, this is for your butt, this is for your butt

What can I say, reciting the magna carta just doesn't come to mind when every ounce of energy is put towards the hill and there is absolutely nothing left to even think with.

doc

02-01-2005, 03:08 AM

I see the board automatically edits. Those four stars are the "f" word over and over again.

han-grrl

02-28-2005, 06:46 AM

When i teach my spinning class i tell them Never to think "i think i can..."
think I KNOW I CAN!! i try to teach them to believe in their abilities and they will have success...

:D

AutumnBreez

03-11-2005, 12:06 PM

AutumnBreez

03-11-2005, 12:12 PM

So....as I did before I would sing in my head:
I am a climber, I am a climber.....of the world!
(Sung to the tune of We Are the Champions)

LOL...very cute!!!

BikeMomma

03-20-2005, 07:18 PM

Love these inspirations, Ladies - keep 'em coming!

Here's one I used yesterday on myself going up a long hill with a brutal, blustery, gusty headwind and a case of dead legs:

"Kim, you've been through childbirth three times which lasted for hours and hours each with no pain meds....this here hill?...is NOTHIN', Girl!! Just go!!"

The out-loud laugh to myself and the immediate affect on my morale got me through the ride. Funny!

This could be adapted, I'm sure, for the as-yet childless, to suit.... :D :D

- Kim :p

RoadRaven

04-18-2005, 10:28 AM

Doc wrote:
I swear. I know it's ridiculous, but it actually works.
Then if it's a really long hill, I occasionally switch to:
this is for your butt, this is for your butt, this is for your butt

LOL... I think I might adopt this mantra!!!

Personally, I keep thinking - you did it before, you can do it again - piece of cake... just a bit more...

So nothing terribly exciting.

My sister-in-law has a great one... as she climbs each hill she has a running commentary going in her head... Olympics style....
Something like...

"and who'd have believed it, she's gonna get the gold. This 39 year old mother of three is going to take the gold for New Zealand... look at the power in her legs... what determination... what a woman!"

Thanks also to those that have recommended the book "Women who run with wolves". I have never heard of it, but def going to check it out.

LBTC

04-18-2005, 06:48 PM

I *love* the Olympic commentary!!

doing plank position in kickboxing class is a pretty difficult one...something that definitely needs a soundtrack. one time I just couldn't keep singing the alphabet song in my head, so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind:

I'm a goddess. you're a goddess. we're all goddesses.

now I add bits about wearing bikinis. by the pool. drinking gin and tonic

etc.

I really have to try that on the next hill!! :)

namaste,
~T~

lkrider

04-18-2005, 07:53 PM

All this stuff is TERRIFIC! I needed some of the hill climb mantras so much. I love to ride and the angry face won't ever work for me. I smile like an idiot most of the time! I grin harder in the rain or when I am passing a bunch of cars lined up in rush hour traffic. :D Something about getting around on my own power just makes me giddy. I just can't help it. :D "there she goes again --that lunatic on the bike"
....but on the climbs...I'm gasping and wondering if I will make it. (I used to just avoid hills) Now, thanks to you all, I know what to do/think/say/sing to keep me going up, up, up!

I will add a little bit about getting out to ride when thinking we are not really in the mood, it's too wet, cold etc. My daughter (15) often moans about going for a ride -- until we get out there and then she thanks me for dragging her out...because it feels so good! We all need a little nudge now and then to get out the door. I'm thinking of some self talk that sounds a little nike-ish "just ride" might work. Personally, I am getting alot of motivation from this forum, and all of you.

KkAllez

05-19-2005, 03:58 PM

The other day as I pedaled up a steep incline we call Mount Eskota, which is disguised as an area where the interstate access road rises higher than the interstate you could hear me chanting this:

I'll sit this hill
I won't stand
I'll climb this hill
better than a man

I also tend to sing:

I can do anything you can do but better, I can do anything better than you!

Of course, these are my new solo chants and I'd never chant them when riding with Ben....where he could hear me! :D :D :D

Ben chants:

Are you ok?

Doing ok hon?

Drives me nuts! Yes, I'm okay, I'm ahead of you aren't I?! Gotta love him though, he is pushing to buy me a new Specialized Roubaix Pro

Oh, and if I do ever stand to pedal, I try my hardest to at least count my age, each time a foot goes down is one count. Dang....it was hard turning 40!

snapdragen

05-19-2005, 05:53 PM

I sing to myself - if anyone is familiar with Be Bop Deluxe, it's usually Blazing Apostles or Fair Exchange.

Lynne

05-29-2005, 11:48 AM

Cycling hasn't been much different from me than hiking in that respect. I'm competetive and I guess kind of like a guy in my head when I'm doing something tough. So, the bad language comes out...it usually goes something like this: (from yesterday's ride up a moderate hill)

"Get your f*ing butt up this hill! Oh, that is so BS...you KNOW you can do this hill and you KNOW you can do better than this! Get it up there...get your butt up there, NOW!"

Works every time.

Also, I've never ever let it enter my head that I could do anything but bike up a hill....I don't even let the thought enter my head that I could stop. And really, it's true; if you stop, it's way harder to start (going down followed by a sharp turnaround usually ends up with my foot hitting the tire, not good). Since it's not an option in my head, it's just a matter of how fast I can get there and how low I need to go on my gears (usually the lowest one, unfortunately...but oh well...still gettting my butt up there). And, when I get to the top, if I start to think I should rest, I remind myself that it's good to "cool down" and not to stop right away...and that gets me pumping again and I'm off to the next hill. It seems to be working so far.

Last, I often find myself chanting "for my butt, for my butt, for my butt...need to get into those short-shorts, need to get into those short-shorts....I'm gonna be like 5 lbs lighter when I get home, I swear I am..."

RoadRaven

05-29-2005, 10:47 PM

ROFLMAO!!!

Lynne... that was exactly how I was talking to myself this morning on my way to work - early winter rain, cold and my legs just didn't want to work... but I was damned if I was gonna let them get the better of me - my brain said "cycle at 30km/hour regardless of the s**te weather" so I swore at my legs til they did...

Sometimes cursing works a treat - just pleased I was riding on my own! I'm such a 'potty-mouth'!!!

LBTC

05-30-2005, 07:29 AM

hahaha
potty mouth works for me too...

but I do have a new one:
(this goes with my toaster analogy: "if this body were a toaster I would have sent it back for one that works ages ago!")

" I am my own warranty "

heh

now, that's motivation!!

cheers and namaste,
~T~

Dogmama

05-30-2005, 09:46 AM

Wow, I'm completely opposite. If I were to cuss at or degrade myself, I'd never make it up a hill.

RoadRaven

05-30-2005, 10:29 AM

Dogmamma, I don't curse myself... I knew I could do it! Just my legs didn't believe me :p

Mostly I don't become a potty mouth though... mostly I tell myself... you've done it before - this time you can do it better/faster/steadier... or I count down til the top of the hill.

I've tried my sis-in-laws mantra a few times (the olympic gold I mentioned earlier) but that doesn't really work for me.

yogabear

06-01-2005, 01:27 PM

Hi there,

Haven't been here in a while, but I lurk from time to time :)

Glad to see this thread still running :) Yay!

I have been doing affirmations, but have noticed something different that helps with the riding...Riding with cute guys! LOL I can ride so much faster that way...I don't even notice I am going 19-20 mph, talking the whole time...having fun, checking out the er hem...physiques LOL...then, my hubby finds out and says, 'Why can't you ride that fast with me?' LOL

Just a theory right now, but maybe they could study this...heh heh...hee hee!

Bear hugs,
Lisa

bikerchick68

06-01-2005, 02:54 PM

good grief... how did I miss this fantastic thread???

OK- here's the one I chant on climbs... compliments of Lance Armstrong from "It's Not About the Bike".... PAIN IS TEMPORARY, QUITTING LASTS FOREVER

Yep, that one works for me every single time... it's sorta become my life motto... :)

roughingit

06-03-2005, 09:32 AM

On the flats I like singing the "Moving Right Along" song from the Muppets, or in bad weather, "Always Look On the Bright Side of Life". Uphill I've found that if I remember to shift into an easier gear instead of mashing, I can then just look off the side of the road and watching the scenery while I spin. May not be very quick, but boy I'll glance back up and be like wow, I'm this far along already?! Hey not much more to go! As my legs have gotten stronger, the hills don't seem quite as big either. They look huge till I get to them, but once I'm there, they aren't too bad (except Highland Rd...that's when I just start chanting "I'm not gonna walk, I'm not gonna walk!")

Asphaltgirl

06-03-2005, 10:47 AM

One of my spinning instructors told me: "we walk dogs, we don't walk our bikes". That's usually stuck in the back of my head! Have to agree with Yogabear about the cute guy influence--it added another 6 miles to MY ride last night! (and he really wasn't that cute) :o

~~AG~~

indigoiis

07-30-2007, 11:14 AM

I thought I would revive this thread. Great ideas, here!

I read somewhere once some corny email about there was always someone thinking of you, somewhere. Someone worrying whether you are cold, or sad, or lonely, or happy. Someone cares whether you exist.

So recently I took to thinking:

Someone out there gives a s*** whether I make this hill or not.
Someone is wicked proud of me.

("Someone" is really me, but in a parallell universe, maybe?)

Someone is inspired by what we are all doing, here.

sandra b

07-30-2007, 11:42 AM

I have only ridden 3 miles in the last 3 months. At the end of April I was riding to work and was distracted by blossoms blowing off a tree. I caught 1/2 inch of handlebars on a post, and crashed. I shattered my left wrist. It now has a titanium plate, pins and wires in it. It doesn't bend very well.

My motivation for therapy is to be able to ride again at all. As summer progresses I see everyone else out for rides, and it just makes me want to go more. I am trying to be patient, but it is HARD to not be able to ride. Once I can ride again, my mantra will be "pay attention to the road, pay attention to the road, pay attention to the road"

chutch

07-30-2007, 01:27 PM

Great discussion...

I sing to myself in my mind. Whatever melody I choose (usually whatever upbeat song I happen to have stuck in my head) but the lyrics are always some version of "I am flying up this hill, just like a feather floating right up, no one can catch me because I'm flying" Silly, but it works.

If I don't feel like singing to myself or I'm feeling particularly aggressive... well, I have a running commentary from Phil and Paul that is very motivating.

:)

abvnx

07-30-2007, 01:31 PM

wow, sandra that sounds painful. hope you start feeling better so you can bet back to riding:)

i know this sounds dorky but i kinda talk to my bike. "'come on selene, we can do this, lets go...." what ever works eh?

sandra b

07-30-2007, 01:48 PM

The crash was painful, as was the news from the surgeon that I probably wouldn't ride for 6 months. He did relent and say I could try some easy rides, but I can't bend my wrist enough to grip the handlebar/brakes very well yet. Physical therapy is a beatiful thing-but I need the motivation to keep working on my own.

My motivation/mantra for going up is is "firm thighs, tight ***, firm thighs, tight ***.....over and over.

Zen

07-30-2007, 05:38 PM

The crash was painful, as was the news from the surgeon that I probably wouldn't ride for 6 months...

Can you at least do a spin class??

My new mantra is "TTFU":D

ShubieGA

07-30-2007, 07:59 PM

Sandra, smooth healing vibes for your wrist.

I know it sounds silly, but I sing a little parody of "This little light of mine" to myself:

This little bleeming (insert appropriate curse word) hill, I'm going to make it mine...You get the idea. Till I get to the top.

Or I start doing the internal coaching - "ok Shubie, you got it made, just a bit further. Keep cranking. Etc."

Great ideas out there!

margo49

07-31-2007, 12:29 AM

For 30 years mine has been:
"The only way out of this is to go on"

Works for childbirth too!

(having the baby I mean, not being the baby! Obviously I dint think that then as I was a forceps delivery with Mum anesthetised a la cutting edge :eek: gynecological practice ie the 1950's

lph

07-31-2007, 12:57 AM

Hadn't seen this thread before, it sure gave me a laugh :D

Up big hills or in bad weather I try to just zone out. Get into some kind of steady rhythm, keep the gears light and the legs moving smoothly. Think as little as possible.

When I need to go fast I'll try to tap into the joy of it, pretend I'm some kind of aggressive speed demon. This is fun but looks kind of weird. And might explain why I don't ride much with other people... ;-)

When I need affirmation is when I'm going to do something scary, not something tiring. Climbing (rock climbing) something scary I tell myself the "There is a time for planning, and a time for doing"-mantra. I plan as much as I can, then I try to just do it.

If I still start freaking out cursing at myself helps. "Coward! What the **** do you think you're doing? You can do it! You're good at this, so what the **** are you thinking of? Just get UP there!!"

Getting scared freezes me up, getting angry gives me energy ;)

Bklynmom

07-31-2007, 09:00 AM

Glad to know I am not the only one who uses profanity while climbing!

For some inexplicable reason I always sing the John Prine song "Angel from Montgomery" in my head - totally involuntary, just pops in there. I've never stopped when singing it though. Kind of grim and gritty but it works.

Occasionally I sing the first few lines of the Patti Smith song from Horses but I can't remember past the first few lines. Sometimes I try to switch to switch to Blue Moon, but John Prine just pops back in.

Maybe its time for a new song - I actually bought the sound track to Dream Girls thinking I could memorize "I'm not Going" or "Listen"-- will report back if it works.

I love this thread!

Bklynmom

07-31-2007, 09:01 AM

Zen

07-31-2007, 12:25 PM

For some inexplicable reason I always sing the John Prine song "Angel from Montgomery" in my head - totally involuntary, just pops in there. I've never stopped when singing it though. Kind of grim and gritty but it works.

"I am an old woman..."
Great song, especially when Bonnie Raitt sings it but not exactly empowering:eek:

cosc

07-31-2007, 02:41 PM

I learned this slogan from teaching and use it when I'm tired of riding and need a mental pick me up, simply "focus".

Bklynmom

07-31-2007, 03:30 PM

Angel from Montgomery starts "I am an old woman, named after my mother...

Wonder if John Prine was a roadie :rolleyes: (kind of doubt it!).

I found the lyrics on line:
http://www.lyricsdepot.com/john-prine/angel-from-montgomery.html

I am an optimist in most things, but with music, I do like an edge!

Lisa

sandra b

07-31-2007, 08:54 PM

I went for a ride yesterday! I rode the 1.67 miles to my moms-first time on my road bike since the crash. Wasn't happy. But it did motivate me to go get a trainer today. I miss moving, and figure the trainer in front of a fan, with a movie, is better than nothing at all, and it does not require any holding of the handlebars-or I could get into a sprint position with my elbows on the bars instead of hands!

KnottedYet

07-31-2007, 09:03 PM

I don't think or mantra or sing on rough spots, I just ride.

I can't chew gum and walk at the same time, either. ;)

But when the going is smooth I do find myself singing, often at the top of my lungs. Either made-up songs or whatever my latest favorite song is. (on my commute yesterday it was "Let my love open the door" by Pete Townshend.)

smilingcat

07-31-2007, 09:52 PM

years ago, my motivation was to motorpace next to a car full of small kids and I would wave to them. Kids thought it was funny (there were places where cars would travel at < 25MPH). These days, I just mosie on down the road. and enjoy the scene.

smilingcat

Starfish

07-31-2007, 10:13 PM

This isn't exactly a mantra, but lately when I'm whining to myself, I make myself laugh by talking to myself like I'm Bear Grylls (from Man vs. The Wild on the Discovery Channel). His British accent, with one of his lines like, "If I'm honest, I just want a hot shower..." but then I launch into some parody of his understated descriptions of mortal danger, and before I know it, motorists are wondering who this maniacal, giggling woman is suffering up the hill.

PS: and this week, while I'm in Shasta waiting for the summit century on Sunday, I'm reading "Swimming to Antarctica" by long distance, open water, swimmer Lynne Cox. I'm planning to keep myself going by reminding myself that ANY of the stuff she describes in her book will make my ride look like a walk in the park!

KnottedYet

08-01-2007, 06:00 AM

I haven't seen "Man vs Wild" but I heard about his little forays into cushy hotels during his *adventures*.

Geonz

08-09-2007, 01:19 PM

Getting up hills... before TOMRV which has a lot of them, I memorized a wonderful song about a widow who lived on the moor who never turned a traveler from her door ... who had more endurance than the devil, who could not last the night with her. (At sixty-nine the widow laughed... "again, again!" she cried... the devil said, "well I can see just how your husband died.")
So the ride comes along and I'm chugging up the hill... and the song that comes out is "Ain't no grave gonna hold this body down!"
THe other thing I tell myself when the little voice starts to question whether I can do something (especially keeping up with a fast pace) is "well, of *course* you can't do this. What a completely absurd notion! I fully agree! You just can't stop right NOW!"
I observed that when I was in the middle of thinking "I can't keep up with these guys" that I was holding my body tensely and when I said, "no, ride like you know what you're doing even if you can't" - kinda calling on the Marine idea of *looking* like you're not trying - d'oh, I went faster.

Aggie_Ama

08-09-2007, 07:45 PM

"Can't Never Could".

I was a whiney child and would tell my mom "I cannnn't". See always snapped back "Can't Never Could!" Whenever a ride is getting tough and I am thinkign "I can't" I just think of that. Apparently it came from her Grandma, such a wise old woman. :D

Vickie

08-09-2007, 08:05 PM

My friend who sometimes rides with me, both road & mtn., knows when I'm starting to lose my focus (because of pure exhaustion) & says to me, ride through the pain, JUST DO IT!!! You're close to your goal!

So the Nike ads - JUST DO IT! has a way of helping me turn my focus back on to the task at hand (& turning off that little discouraging voice inside my head that wants me to stop pedaling!) & gives me a big boost of confidence to pull through to my goal line....

It works everytime!!!!!

Zen

08-09-2007, 08:15 PM

I memorized a wonderful song about a widow who lived on the moor who never turned a traveler from her door ... who had more endurance than the devil, who could not last the night with her. (At sixty-nine the widow laughed... "again, again!" she cried... the devil said, "well I can see just how your husband died.")

I'd like to hear that whole song :D

Hub

10-08-2007, 11:28 AM

The Zen of the spin . . .

and that feeling when you're about to fall over and you would be foaming at the mouth if you had any fluid left- psyclepath calls that seeing Dead Elvis- he's there in all his glory, spandex and glitter, saying 'come on, darlin', come to the light

deena

10-26-2007, 07:04 PM

On the commute into work yesterday, my mantra for the first part of the ride was "holy crap it's cold, ride faster" until I got to where the bike trail runs under the interstate - then it changed to "I'm not on the freeway" (sing to nanny-nanny boo-boo)! :D

deedolce

10-26-2007, 09:40 PM

When I'm just beat from being in the saddle for 6-7 hours, I just tell myself sitting in the saddle is just the same as if I were sitting in an easy chair at home - so any coasting is pure recovery and easy, and then I manage to pedal again after my rest in my virtual sofa!

staceysue

04-23-2010, 05:37 PM

SLash

04-23-2010, 06:57 PM

When life has been tough I tell myself, "just put your head down and pedal". In other words don't think about it, just do what you have to do.

When I'm riding and a hill is tough or the wind, I think of myself as Chechu Rubiera when he used to ride at the front of the blue train for Lance. He always had this look of complete determination on his face. My favorite domestique. Some of it has to do with the fact that I always take the lead when I ride with my husband because I'm the stronger rider (he hasn't been riding that long). It helps me pull us along. :)

staceysue

04-26-2010, 09:37 AM

This thread inspired me to talk to myself on my bike today. It was GREAT. I SWEAR it made me go faster. It definitely made it more fun.

I was keeping my heart rate up, so I could only say 3 words or so at a time (out loud, of course). "Beautiful Powerful! Beautiful Powerful! Beautiful powerful, long and lean . . . . and FAST! so fast beautiful powerful fast . . . . i'm a goddess . . . . " It was great.

malkin

05-02-2010, 09:09 AM

My new ear worm (I have no one to blame but myself) is one I sang with my kids at school (to the tune of the CanCan):

I can CanCan
I can CanCan I can CanCan...

Very persistent, useful for hills.

texascampgal

07-15-2010, 09:19 AM

Head winds and hills are my personal trainers. Think of them like that & they can become your friend.

LOVE IT!

Not exactly mantras, but my official cycling slogans have been:

Head winds are the medicine balls of cycling!

AND

Why is it that you never realize you're riding with the wind until you turn around to go the OTHER way??

texascampgal

07-15-2010, 09:54 AM

this is for your butt, this is for your butt, this is for your butt

LOL! Great stuff, ladies! My hill manta is "pretty legs, pretty legs, pretty legs" on the upstroke of each right pedal motion.

7rider

07-15-2010, 11:18 AM

Did you hear Jens Voight after Stage 9 of the Tour the other day?
A reporter, talking to Jens about his heroic effort on the last climb of the day, asked him (and I'm paraphrasing here) what he does when his legs are screaming at him during a brutal day in the saddle.
Jens said (again, paraphrasing), "I look down and say 'Shut up, Legs' and hope they listen!"
:p
I thought that was GREAT. I'm going to have to incorporate that into my riding!

tpb

07-21-2010, 06:11 AM

Not as deep as some, but I think about a line from "Finding Nemo" - when Nemo's dad thinks the task of following the boat is impossible, Dory keeps repeating "just keep swimming, just keep swimming". So, when I get tired or discouraged, this becomes "Just keep spinning, just keep spinning".

Love this thread!
TB

Catrin

07-21-2010, 07:32 AM

This last weekend I found one very long hill after getting separated from my group. I've no idea how long it actually was, but it seemed like that hill would never end - and I got slower...and slower...and - you get the picture.

At some point I found myself saying " You Can climb this hill, you Can climb this hill" then it changed to "keep pedaling, keep pedaling" then shortened to pedal...pedal...pedal"

It worked - though I did choose to walk the last 100 feet when I got too slow to keep a line.

I like Malkin's song, will try that next time :)

Atlas

07-25-2010, 09:46 AM

The hill at the end of my commute is right next to the train tracks and about a third of the times I ride up it a train is going by. So I sync myself up with the train and imagine my cranks as the coupling rods on the train wheels. I'm on the lookout for a little train sticker to put on my stem so I can always have a train to get me up the hills.

DebbieOSablada

07-25-2010, 04:38 PM

On the way back, I terrorize my quads and calves with "Move, or else you won't get home!" :D

schnitzle

08-27-2010, 11:25 AM

I'm not to the point where I use a mantra to get up hills, unless the mantra is "Remember what they said on TE, shift down, oh crap, I shifted up! SHIFT DOWN!"

But when I'm riding a flat and feeling tired and grumpy I tell myself that I'm not peddling with my legs, my feet are doing the work. It really does take my mind off my burning quads and owchie saddle problems :D I forget where I read this idea. Anyway, this translates into the mantra "feet, feet, feet, feet,feet". I also imagine I'm kicking out when I pedal, that seems to help me keep going and go faster.

Possegal

08-27-2010, 11:27 AM

Aggie_Ama

08-28-2010, 09:21 AM

I still mostly use my Grandma Ellen and my mom's repeat words of wisdom "Can't never could!" I keep thinking I will put it on a custom head tube cap but haven't ordered it yet.

When I am climbing mountain biking I think "BOOBS TO THE TUBE!" For some reason DH refuses to yell it when I need motivation to keep climbing. The women's group I ride with passed that gem along and it does work.

moonfroggy

08-28-2010, 10:25 AM

i have a song i sometimes sing it goes

i'm strong
i'm free
i'm brave
i'm me

and it has a part with no words i think of as the drum part

la da da da da da dum

redrhodie

08-28-2010, 10:32 AM

Today, my mantra was you are a climber.

Catrin

08-28-2010, 05:52 PM

Yesterday it was... I AM climbing this hill, I AM climbing this hill...until I got to the top :)

happinesshill

09-15-2010, 08:59 PM

Sounds silly, but I've had five home births so every time it gets really hard, I say, "I've given birth at home. I can do this!" and it helps so much to remember my births, some of which were *really* hard, the hardest physical and emotional and spiritual thing I've ever gone through.

moonfroggy

09-15-2010, 09:20 PM

i have only had one homebirth but i remind myself of that anytime i have to deal with something painful. sometimes though with some medical painful things i did whimper that i didn't get a baby for all that pain. but having that knowing i had my son at home helps me with stuff. so far not on my bike but other stuff it is a good affirmation.

malkin

09-18-2010, 12:11 PM

Lately I've been thinking of what Levi Leipheimer said in an interview (during the TdF I think):

It's time to put on your ugly face and ride.

channlluv

09-18-2010, 03:14 PM

I'm with Schnitzle on trying to remember all the tips I read here on TE, but mostly, if I'm going up a hill, it's, "goroxygoroxygoroxygo!"

Roxy

DMC

10-14-2010, 04:01 AM

I have a collection of tools to keep me going:

along the lines of Jens, I often say 'Shut up, brain' when it starts telling me to stop.

I study Buddhism and one of the teachings that has stuck in my head is that all things are temporary, and that pain (suffering) is attachment to the idea of wanting things to be other than they are, so I often chant to myself:

'This pain is temporary, this pain is just my ego. I can choose to keep going.'

One of my favorite albums to pump myself up is 'Treats' by Sleigh Bells. They sound like hard core, rockin' cheerleaders with sick crunchy guitars and electro baselines, so I love using the album to pump me up before races. The song 'kids' has a line that I often draw on my forearm to look at when I start wanting to quit or slow down:

'Did you do your best today?'

Its enough to make me think about whether I really do need that break or to drop pace, or if I'm really just wanting to slide back into a comfort zone. Most of the time, its the latter.

Along those lines is a Zen affirmation my meditation teacher has us say at the end of a session. Its a little more intense, but it kicks me in the butt to remember that my time in this body is limited and the time that I will be able to do the things I do (endurance racing) is finite and not to waste the opportunities I was given to race, to improve...etc.:

"Let me respectfully remind you, life and death are of supreme importance. Time swiftly passes by, and opportunity is lost. Each of us should strive to awaken, awaken, take heed....Do not squander your life."

My strength trainer often helps me lift the last few reps of a heavy set and if I look defeated, he yells at me to 'keep going, I'm here! I WILL NOT LET YOU FAIL!!' this also works quite well to chant to myself when climbing hills on the bike.

And if all else fails, I fall back on these two:

"Quitters don't get bacon" (used during a morning race or long training run when I have brunch scheduled afterwards)

"Quitters don't get margaritas" (can be used at will. Also works when I find myself getting lazy about taking public transport and wanting to hail a cab).

PS - great radiolab about the limits of human endurance here.

http://www.radiolab.org/2010/apr/05/

they discuss ironman athletes and racers in RAAM (the slovenian who was killed on a training ride a few weeks ago was featured. sad to think about, but listen to his interview, its pretty wild!).

YogiT

01-28-2011, 08:10 AM

There is a blonde joke:

There was a blonde that went to the hair salon with headphones. Before the barber started cutting her hair she told him "Make sure not to knock the headphones off my head". So the barber was sure not to. The next time, the blonde said the same thing "Do not knock the headphones off my head". The barber again, did what he was told. The third time she went, she told the barber again "Don't knock the headphones off my head", this time though, the barber accidentally knocked them off. As soon as the headphones fell off, the blonde dropped to the floor unconcious. The barber picked up the headphones and listened, and this is what it said "Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out...."

Sometimes I have to remind myself to breathe... and that I'm super badass and by finishing what I started I am only proving that.

marni

01-29-2011, 06:20 PM

personally I count- I guestimate the number of pedal strokes it will take me to get to the top of the hill when I shift down into my granny gear and then I count and use it to set a breathing rhythm and see if I can't beat myself out. I also find that if I am getting bored on the treadmill or elliptical, I do the same thing. Whatever it takes to take my mind off the process.

redrhodie

01-30-2011, 05:56 AM

Lately on my rides, I've been thinking about something KnottedYet wrote recently, about not thinking about how fast you're supposed to be or how far you're supposed to ride. I also think "effortless effort" and "rest on the hills". I read the latter in an interview with a 90 something year old cyclist, and it's sage advice.

malkin

01-30-2011, 06:32 AM

I've used counting too. It is always amusing, because I can NEVER keep count past the 20s or 30s and I end up counting in sequence, but not properly advancing the tens place.

sempernova

01-30-2011, 09:07 AM

I sing...at the top of my lungs!! It's awful and and it really helps my husband climb and he just wants to get away from the noise! :rolleyes:

bonnypriest

01-30-2011, 04:15 PM

channlluv

01-30-2011, 06:30 PM

Lately, "dontcrashdontcrashdontcrash"

Karma007

02-05-2011, 05:36 PM

"You can do this! Are you a sissy, or a cyclist? JUST GO!" I'm kinda bossy...

marni

02-05-2011, 06:46 PM

I've used counting too. It is always amusing, because I can NEVER keep count past the 20s or 30s and I end up counting in sequence, but not properly advancing the tens place.

I guess it's the oc side of my personality. I even found myself counting steps while walking the dogs today- of course since I was listening to a book on my ipod at the same time, I lost count a lot and kept forgetting to advance the tens. In all honesty though I was trying to figure out some jogging intervals/distances that I can do while walking the dogs so there was technically a reason for that counting.

My affirmation for the year this year is "make it count" which I am applying to weight loss, weight training, cardio, fat burn, biking and possibly, depending on how well my knees work out, jogging and doing a warrior run with my daughter in the fall.

Susan

02-06-2011, 08:38 AM

When I have to go up a very long steep climb, and I notice that I hope that it will end soon or I want to stop, I try to change my thoughts from "fighting against" that hill and wanting to stop to "accepting" the hill, the steepness and that this won't change for a while and I won't have to stop no matter what.

Something along the Matrix quote: Do not try to bend the spoon — that's impossible. Instead, only try to realize the truth: there is no spoon. Then you'll see, that it is not the spoon that bends, it is only yourself.

;)

marni

02-06-2011, 07:07 PM

susan,

your acceptance of the hill reminds me of the story about the frail old man riding up a steep long hill very slowly. Every hammerhead and jock who passed him encouraged him to speed up a little, teased him saying " come on old timer you can do it" etc. Finally one guy slowed slightly as he was passing and said "doesn't it make you crazy that everyone is passing you?" to which the old man responded "why worry, the top of the hill will still be there when I reach it."

I remember this story frequently.

ZenBiker

03-28-2011, 08:30 PM

new member here, love this thread! What popped into my head this weekend while riding up a gradual but seemingly endless hill into a headwind was DON'T YOU DARE QUIT

It worked, but I think I'll try for a more positive affirmation next time!

badgercat

03-28-2011, 08:50 PM

I saw this slogan on the back of a team jersey at Bike MS this past weekend:
"Quit when you're finished, not when you're tired."
It helped me finish 75 miles (my longest ride yet!) on Saturday with a smile on my face!

hebe

03-29-2011, 12:29 AM

Now that I have a 3-year old in the trailer behind me, we have a new hill/incline/gentle slope song. It's originally from a preschool tv show and goes:

"I can do it (climb this hill)
I can do it (climb this hill)
I can do it (climb this hill)
You can do it too!
Wiggle your nose (wiggle wiggle wiggle!)
Touch your toes
Count to three (ONE TWO THREE!)
C'mon everybody join in with me 'cause
I can do it..." etc etc

Fortunately we only ride short hills.

Antaresia

06-08-2011, 09:29 PM

I love this thread!
I don't have much of a mantra other than whenever I have doubt, when I think just hopping on the subway would be SO much easier and I'm tired, I just say "don't be stupid" in the most matter-of-fact tone my brain can manage.

I'm totally going to use stuff from this thread.

firedensprinces

09-13-2012, 05:08 AM

When I am having a hard time keeping on I think about Dori from Finding Nemo, "just keep swimming, swimming, swimming" except for I change it to "just keep going, going, going..." I also think positives to myself such as "Wow, Sarah, look at what you just did. You can do this! Just keep going. You're doing awesome!"

Catrin

09-18-2012, 03:06 AM

I find myself doing one of two things on the bike. When I am on the mountain bike trail and am in a section that makes me nervous for whatever reason, I find myself singing the "circus song" (the notes, not lyrics), and smiling as much as I can. This seems to relax me and allows me to focus on the trail and not my nerves.

On the road when climbing a hard hill I find myself going "pedal, pedal, pedal, pedal" under my breath. It works ;)

tealtreak

09-19-2012, 11:52 AM

wow- so many of these are cute and sweet- guess I do belong with my gnarly boy mountain bikers because I usually sing heavy metal or fight songs to myself when it gets brutal (:

Swan

10-18-2012, 01:25 PM

I suffer from bipolar, severe anxiety, social phobia, and polarized thinking (like if I miss one day I've missed everything and there's no point anymore)... so my affirmations are fine-tuned to combat the fixed and persistent habit of negative thinking.

"It doesn't matter how slow I go so long as I go." This works for uphill battles, the days when I think I ache too much to ride, etc... And if I have to get off my bike and walk it at times, that's fine so long as my feet are moving the second they hit pavement. "Just keep moving."

"Biking makes you feel better. It feels better to feel better. Bike." This might sound redundant, but it really works for me.

If it's raining, I'll think "Well thank goodness for the free cool-off and drink of water. At least I won't be dehydrated/get sunburnt/etc."
If it's cold, I'll think "Good! I won't feel that sweat as much and it'll cool me down."
If it's really hot, I'll think "Excellent, I can try to sweat the weight off." (Just bring an extra water bottle!)
If it's good weather, "Hey this is great weather for a ride!"
If it's night-time/early morning, "Cool beans; they'll see my reflectors but not 'me'!"

I'm lucky enough to live out in the countryside, so there aren't too many people about... but when I get super anxious anyway I just tell myself to look at the ground (don't make eye contact, good Lord) and feel proud that while they're driving around on cushy seats, I'm out here doing something about my weight. That isn't to put anyone down, per se, so much as to help myself overcome the absolute petrification that comes on with the thought of being seen by other people. If I'm doing something good, even if I think they must be judging me, I know their potentially harsh judgement falls flat. I may be "fat" now, but if I keep this up I won't be tomorrow." I use 'tomorrow' like "the kids of tomorrow"... somewhere in the future... but it helps me get past the immediate worries too, since it's all in my head. :)

When nothing else works, I like to pretend I'm someone else... someone who has the strength, the nerve, and the confidence I haven't got... until I've done it a few times and can say "now I'm the one who shows that strength, that nerve, and that confidence." :)

smittykitty

10-18-2012, 07:26 PM

tealtreak

10-19-2012, 02:48 AM

I like the idea of pretending to be someone else. I'll try that tomorrow when I return to Pump class at the gym tomorrow. I haven't been there since spring!

When on a difficult/challenging ride, I tell myself: "I GET to do this". It seems to help.

Actually, the "get to do this quote" is one we should all keep in mind! A swim coach one of my kids had always reminded them (usually after a brutal practice) that we are privileged to be challenged and exhausted from athletics, rather than from eking out a sustenance living or dodging bullets :)