pride lasts longer than pain.

Last Wednesday, the Race Across America started.  I was scheduled to do the race again, but due to family issues, I postponed my next attempt to ride my bike across America to next RAAM – June 015.

I attempted RAAM in 013, but after 6 ½ days, more than half way across American, I quit.

I failed both physically, and much more so mentally.

Over the weekend, I spent a lot of time following the race and reflecting on my own RAAM experience last year… and it is difficult to fully explain the pains of regret that I feel for my failure and my quitting in the middle.

And this pain of regret got me to thinking about my other goals that I am going after … am I as focused as I need to be to achieve them?  Probably not.

I also reflected on how justifying the stopping in the middle of a climb because it becomes difficult is the path that many people choose.

Although I aspire to be exceptional, last year when I was challenged, I did what most people do when the going gets tough, I quit.

Had I just pushed on …
had I taken an extra 10 minute rest instead of deciding to quit …
had I been in a more positive frame of mind instead of focusing on the negatives…
The “had I…” list is endless.

But at the end of the day, I quit in the middle of my challenge; and although the summit was nearly in site, I quit half way up the mountain.

I can NOT underscore enough the importance of fighting when the going gets tough – whether at RAAM, ironman, your job, a challenge and/or even on a diet, etc …

Stopping in the middle of your climb, no matter how many good excuses you might be able to find to justify in doing so, will only bring about:  lack of achievement.

The best things in life are the hardest to get.

For my friends who might be reading this who are in the middle of RAAM … no matter what, keep your rider’s ass on the bike.  Do not let him or her quit.

Just like pride lasts longer than pain… so does the feeling of failure.