peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All

Over coming fear of anything is fraught with excuses isn’t it? Just today I experienced a phase of procrastination surrounding a bicycle road race that is scheduled for this weekend with a barrage of excuses that amazed me.

I think as we face challenges which can be excused away, we indulge ourselves mightily. But, in the end we are still faced with a decision, and isn’t that what challenges are all about in the first place?

Elimination of the fear is almost instantaneous, as soon as a decision is made. Of course, if the challenge was not overcome, but instead rationalized away and the decision made was to not perform, then guess what? Yup, you will entertain that challenge again at some point in time down the road.

So, what’s the moral of the story? We could just look at all challenges and say, “I might as well do it, because it’s going to come around again anyway.” But they aren’t always that easily explained away.

In my case, I really don’t perform well physically racing in 90-degree heat, so there are safety factors to be considered. Of course, I could race slower than I might otherwise, or try to stay with the peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All

indulge ourselves mightily. But, in the end we are still faced with a decision, and isn’t that what challenges are all about in the first place?

Elimination of the fear is almost instantaneous, as soon as a decision is made. Of course, if the challenge was not overcome, but instead rationalized away and the decision made was to not perform, then guess what? Yup, you will entertain that challenge again at some point in time down the road.

So, what’s the moral of the story? We could just look at all challenges and say, “I might as well do it, because it’s going to come around again anyway.” But they aren’t always that easily explained away.

In my case, I really don’t perform well physically racing in 90-degree heat, so there are safety factors to be considered. Of course, I could race slower than I might otherwise, or try to stay with the peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All

rationalized away and the decision made was to not perform, then guess what? Yup, you will entertain that challenge again at some point in time down the road.

So, what’s the moral of the story? We could just look at all challenges and say, “I might as well do it, because it’s going to come around again anyway.” But they aren’t always that easily explained away.

In my case, I really don’t perform well physically racing in 90-degree heat, so there are safety factors to be considered. Of course, I could race slower than I might otherwise, or try to stay with the peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All

to come around again anyway.” But they aren’t always that easily explained away.

In my case, I really don’t perform well physically racing in 90-degree heat, so there are safety factors to be considered. Of course, I could race slower than I might otherwise, or try to stay with the peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All

peleton and wither toward the end, or not race at all and save my body the torture. There is also the philosophy that if you train in heat you can ride in heat, then I could look at this race as preparation for the rest of the summer.

Well, you get the gist of my thoughts here. All “excusing” is generally just that, looking for a way out. Anytime we look for a way out, we aren’t facing the demons and fighting to a solution; we are in avoidance mode.

How does that old saying go? “What doesn’t kill makes you stronger.” Obviously, I’m not advocating anything that dangerous, but the point is well taken…if we take on the challenge we grow. With growth comes strength of character, strength of body and strength of mind.

With any kind of strength comes stamina, quick decision-making skills are honed, life gets easier and a general sense of happiness permeates all you do.

So, which would you rather have: excuses, avoidance and fear, or decisiveness, thorough involvement with life and happiness? I think you know the answer.

In the end it’s just one man’s opinion…mine.