Nine of Nine

Nine of exactly how many? Nine of ten, nine of twelve or nine of seventeen? Obviously it makes a larger difference when talking of distance, especially if one happens to be on a bike climbing a 7% grade, than it does, say, when discussing a shortstop’s batting average or a dual-threat QR rating. It also applies to time, as we have seen on many occasions that if we use the clock as ally, leaking the intel that there will be a ten minute standing climb beginning in ten seconds, the ‘most manageable’ portion of said climb will be whenever we finally feel confident and in control, usually with a minute or mile to go. Because we know we can finish after coming so far. We have cut the total load into manageable pieces, in order to digest them more comfortably. Or, to continue with the gastro metaphor, maybe we have reached a level of appreciation typically known as expert or gourmet. We savor every morsel, every muscular contraction, chewing with delight all the challenging flavors. Maybe we simply want to make it last, to stay in the sensory flavor zone until our aerobic capacity has been wiped from our plate like pinto beans with a flour tortilla. We like the sweet and the spicy. 

I think it is a magical right of passage when we make that bold, empirical transition from seeing exercise and training as play rather than work. There comes that bright and beautiful day when something changes and it all suddenly makes sense. The WHY we do what we do is no longer a burning question, it is now HOW we do what we do. What level of participation in the process, what relaxed focus applied to the effort and to what degree of acceptance towards the continual progress ideal do we travel up or newly discovered path? How long can we keep a positive mental attitude, present and aware, undistracted by media noise, nurturing our bodies with the organic inertia of dynamic movement? 

It is my job to choreograph that path. There has to be challenge. It is the hero’s journey every time we saddle up and face the mountain. Change is our strongest ally, the captain. Even the mountain with its rock solid foundational majesty, changes every time we point our consciousness towards her apex. No two rides are ever the same. We go faster, the wind blows harder, we ride with more efficiency while lenticular clouds circle overhead. There is an old saying, perhaps from the I Ching, THE Book of Changes, or maybe Heraclitus, that tells us, ‘One cannot cross the same river twice.’ 

The translation of course being that every time one sets out to, metaphorically or otherwise, cross a river, even, or especially, the same river, the river one has crossed a thousand times before, both it and YOU have changed. 

Substitute the river for the mountain, another early morning spin class, a run in the park, laps in the pool, homework, motorcycle maintenance, food preparation, learning a new song on the guitar, painting rocks, gardening, tiny house construction, love, videography, travel, etc. etc. etc. and the idea comes crystal clear. 

It is a new day and a new river. A new now and a new mountain. 

Nine of nine.