What are your cycling affirmations?

[yogabear]

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

[MightyMitre]

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.

[AutumnBreez]

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.

This had impact on me in such a positive way! Thank you for posting it. I am around Marines daily and they are so human yet superhuman for the sacrafices. I think I will conquer my next hill with this all in mind.

[CorsairMac]

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?! ) 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]

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.

[texascampgal]

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??

[Antaresia]

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]

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]

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

[maryellen]

I keep it simple: "keep pedaling"

[yogabear]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.