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I have been reading tons of things on mind-body stuff throughout the years and have also enjoyed the book "Sports Psychology for Cyclists".
I was curious to know if anyone had their own affirmations if you will for cycling, whether it's training, racing, riding for fun or whatever :)
Thanks :)
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
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!
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.
I keep it simple: "keep pedaling"
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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?)
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?
"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!
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
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.
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 :)
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
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 :)
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!"Quote:
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
Whoohoo..we are da' women!
Feeling just a little bit frisky tonight after my first snow-run of the year here!!! :D
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.
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
ok - so maybe we should ride with happy faces but angry legs?? :D it works for Lance! LOL
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.
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.:DQuote:
You know that old proverb about how it takes more muscles to frown than to smile? Ride angry: it's a better workout.
:mad: :) :mad: :)
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 :)
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
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.'
:)
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
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!"
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!"
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
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.
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."
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 ;)
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)
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!
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
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~
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)
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.