Blog Post by Adam Thacker Ninety-nine point nine percent of doing anything is being there. My numbers may be just speculation but our presence is the most important aspect of anything but let's be honest, exercise is hard. Having to get up early to exercise early is harder, even for those with Herculean levels of motivation. If you listen closely, you may hear that universal audible groan when a possible difficult activity looms. I know, I hear myself making it sometimes, it's natural. What stands out is that we schedule, we attend, and we execute. What should we do after that difficult activity? Should we celebrate? I think so and here is how I think to do it. After we execute a ride, some stretches and a couple deep breathes, at the end of my class I say, "And now for the most important part. Give yourselves a hand." It sounds a bit cheesy, admittedly, but it has a place. Celebrate the being there, the effort, and most importantly yourself. Through this effort the numbers go up, the saddle soreness diminishes, and fitness improves. It becomes cumulative. It all adds up over time and takes time. We wish time were an endless fount where we could do everything we want but it is not. That time given to one activity displaces it from another. A rider could truly, if so compelled, be anywhere doing absolutely anything besides riding. When they are taking that precious commodity and using a portion of it to spend forty-plus minutes of their day with me I appreciate that. I appreciate the effort. I appreciate the time that they are giving to be uncomfortable with me for health and fitness' sake. Some do it expressly for that purpose, some for the comradery of others in the room but they come and they ride. Because of all of this, we clap, clap for the getting up, clap for the travel done, clap for the work and effort, and clap because celebrating yourself makes all activity and your time worthwhile.
