On June 1st I had the opportunity to participate in a 100-mile bike ride to raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This experience was not only a physical challenge, but a test of mental and emotional fortitude as well. The training was grueling and the dedication one must put forth was demanding to say the least – but what I learned from this experience was well worth the difficulties I faced.

Originally I was to participate in a 100-mile event in the Austin area, but decided instead to take part in a 100-mile ride in Lake Tahoe. The idea of conquering the additional challenges of climbing mountains – not to mention the altitude difference! – created a little angst, but the idea was more exhilarating than off-putting.

I trained for four months, eventually building up to an average of 70 miles per week as well as cycling with my team every Saturday morning. In order to meet the training requirements, I also had to incorporate weight training and spin classes into my already packed work schedule throughout the week.

The extremes I experienced were a major challenge: I trained in very cold weather, with temperatures as low as 30 degrees, right up to 90 degrees with a heat index of 100 the week prior to my event. My speed increased progressively over the four months and my endurance improved greatly – which I am very proud of.

As far as mentally and emotionally, for the first time I have an understanding of what athletes go through. There is a saying that “the game is really played in the head” – truer words were never spoken. Certainly I had to be in good physical shape but when I say that the process is at least 65% mental; that is not an exaggeration. While training for the century event, I had many fears – that I wouldn’t be able to complete it; that I couldn’t go on; or maybe I just wasn’t cut out for this kind of thing. Yet, I knew from all my years of research and experience in working with successful people on the corporate side, that to believe that you really can accomplish something is more than half the battle.

While training for the century event in Lake Tahoe I couldn’t help but notice the correlation to the book that I was writing at the time. In my new book, Roadmaps to Success with Stephen Covey and Ken Blanchard, I outline the five core fundamentals of success. The first one is an unwavering belief that a high level of success is possible. That even in the face of adversity, a successful person never backs down from a challenge. It is simply the willingness to take on a crisis, quantify our fears and move toward a solution with the innate certainty we will prevail. This core belief was truly put to the test for me while in training.

During the times that I doubted that I could finish a ride or get up a hill, my inspiration was thinking about the people who are going through Leukemia or Lymphoma and what they have to face each and every day – and I realized that my challenge was nothing in comparison. In addition while I was training my father passed away from cancer. My father passed away on a Friday and I had my team ride the following morning. I really toiled with the decision to ride or not, knowing that I was clearly upset and not sure that I could hold my composure. I ultimately made the decision to ride for him. Upon reflection I realize that this was just another example of what one must do to overcome adversity. I share this story not to highlight my accomplishments but to share with you the power of belief. It is truly amazing what you can achieve when you hold the belief in your heart that almost anything possible.

12:00 pm

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