Sore Butt. Happy Heart.
I am a newbie (again) to IM and WA (I joined 3 years ago, read the training materials and didn't do a darned thing). It's been eating at me ever since. This past month, since I rejoined, I have been struggling with my niche. I built a website, and realized it was not a good niche (ie: too specialized, so I'll abandon it and maybe come back to it later ...). But that is not why I'm struggling. I'm struggling because I don't feel that I am an expert on ANYTHING. What do I have to offer? Then it occurred to me ... I have my honest story to offer.
I am a cycling wanna be. I am kind of lazy sometimes, and hate getting up early. I have a 2-year old, a husband, a full-time job, rentals, dogs and llamas ... all needing my time and attention. Plus it is frigging cold and snowy outside! But I love to ride.
I bought my road bike the summer of 2009 and rode the MS150 (which is actually 160 or so miles over 2 days, and raises money for MS research) after only 2 months of "training." I made it 58 miles in the cold, rainy mountains of WY on day 1. On day 2, I completed the whole thing, 77 hilly, windy miles with grasshoppers clinging to my calves as I rode. That hurt.
I went through every emotion that weekend. I was having fun. I was cold and wet. I was SO HUNGRY. I was mad at my cycling partner for quitting. Then mad at myself for quitting with her. Then I was determined, strong, and delirious. I didn't quit. I crossed the finish line, barely able to go another foot. My butt hurt, but my heart was happy.
I was so excited that I wanted to do it again the following summer, but had 2 knee surgeries, and my precious son was born. SO .... real life takes the front seat. But I still have that urge to get out there again and unleash my inner cycling diva.
I started out knowing nothing about cycling (and there is still a ton I don't know). I have had to figure it out for myself, and I did it. I am still pretty darned proud of myself, 3 years later.
It occurred to me that my passion for cycling is similar to this new thing I'm doing ... Internet Marketing. It's going to require training, dedication, motivation, focus, new skills and lots of time in this chair, in front of my computer. My butt is probably going to ache, but what a thrill it will be when I make my first sale.
If I can complete the MS150 when I was fat, out of shape and having no clue how to train, I bet I can do this too.
Lift your Gatorade - I'd like to make a toast - to Sore Butts and Happy Hearts!
Recent Comments
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that's fabulous. Once you link your passion with your niche, there's no stopping you. Can't wait to hear about it. Congrats on your cycling achievements. Keep those wheels moving.
Sounds like you are doing the same with yours. Would love to stay in touch & compare notes!
I read this at 1.56am..... and was standing here cheering for you..... until my wife crept out of the bedroom, all bleary eyed wanting to know if I'm OK... then I realized where I was... what a story!!!!! I'm soooo proud of you and everyone else here and you, bike chick, have every ounce of anything anybody will need to do anything, and anyone who tells you different knows nothing... the few skills you need to build a website are all inside you and as you did what you did with the MS150, you can do here!!! Just take it one day , even one hour, at a time and keep remembering MS150... BTW, should that not perhaps be your niche?
Thanks Joe, I really appreciate your support & kind words! That is a thought .... I will check it out! Don't stay up too late! :-)
Thanks for your vote of confidence Kathy! :). This great support system will definitely help!
Great post, very inspirational. All the best of luck to you in your new venture, in which I am sure you will be successful. You showed all the ingredients in your cycling that are needed here as a WA member,
Regards
Hudson
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That is Awesome! You can do it, just like you did the MS150! Keep up the great work and you'll go far!
Thanks Freedomseekr, the support from this group is wonderful, and so appreciated!