Shall We Rehearse?

It is a dress rehearsal of sorts. It seems official enough this morning, one week out from my ‘A’ race of the year, to announce that I am over the cold, influenza, virus crud enough to attempt the aforementioned walk through.

Meaning that in spin class this morning, in a little over 90 minutes, we will take another shot at virtual racing. ‘It is race day’ being the way I like to introduce the days protocol, strategy and goal. We have a target, and as team manger, captain and coach I will provide you all with your assignments. The sprinters will sprint, the climbers will climb, the domestiques will provide cover and the lieutenants will lead us out. As a veteran all-rounder, you will have the privilege, the responsibility, to assume all of those duties at one time or another along this course, which will take us exactly one hour to complete. It is a fair course, 90% light rollers punctuated by one 4-5% hill every five minutes. The goal is to race it, not merely ride it. We will compete with the clock, the terrain, the heat and those who compete against us. But most of all we will compete with, and within, ourselves. This is where we find our best effort. It is in there somewhere, dozing and dormant perhaps, wishing only manifestation as power, speed, freedom and flow. This is your assignment and it should inspire both your attitude and awareness. Let it go and let it flow. Stay present. Feel your effort, your power as reward for your diligence and dedication. You have worked hard over the long, cold winter and we now prepare to ride into the light of a glorious victory. However that victory will only happen if you are courageous, focused and relaxed enough to accept the enormity of this challenge today. Take it one mile at a time, one minute, one deep breath and one perfect note from the Stradivarius of your soul at a time. Hear that tune. Sync the grace and beauty of your movements with the resolve and gratitude in your mind as your spirit keeps the pace lively with a stirring sonnet scored by the totality of your luminous being.

I can only guarantee that should you find that synergy, should you empower that trio and decide to commit to the effort required, your victory is assured. I am not talking about winning. I am talking about the effort behind it. Because I will state once again that should you find that deep and powerful center of being, should you tap into its vast reservoir of pure energy, faith, trust, fellowship and compassion, and bring it into play, you have already won. And I could care less about the place of finish once that has been accomplished. It is about the effort, your intent, not the result. I know this is a difficult concept for some to fathom, but please trust me until you have sufficiently tested, tried and proven it to yourself. It is at that time and place that you will have successfully transitioned from student to teacher, from child to adult and from soldier to warrior. It just so happens to also be the place where the purest fun, adrenaline flow and joie de vivre thrives and flourishes. Let it rip through your veins like high-octane jet fuel.

Well, it appears that we are dressed. Shall we rehearse?