Day 10.202 The Answer is Yes

The question is balance. What is it, how does it manifest and what, exactly do we do with - or without - it? Could it be more important than we currently think?

I'll give a recent example. Yesterday we tackled the rugged 33 miles comprising the Chilly Hilly course. It was a grey, cloudy, mournful Sunday morning after a particularly unsavory loss by the home lads. I was in need of something to counter the anger and frustration building since the defeat and bubbling in a cauldron all night.

A good hard ride might be the magical elixir that the witch doctor had ordered.

My riding partner is an old and dear friend. He has three kids, one of whom is a freshmen in college, a great job with one of the most important companies in the world and a new gal that challenges his intellect. He has yet to find time in all those responsibilities to follow a routine in order to keep his health and fitness where he would like it to be. He is, by his own admission, carrying about 50 unnecessary pounds.

Here is the fun part: While he weighs almost twice what I do, he can produce over twice the power. As measured by watts.

I, on the other hand, have a higher power to weight ratio and consistently have to wait for him at the top of the many hills on our route.

Where does the balance issue pop up?

In terns of training and focus it is clear: He needs to drop the 50 pounds while I need to add the 50 watts.

As we rode and discussed this, one other similarity emerged. Having just returned from a company sponsored sales and customer service retreat in Vegas he stated that he was 'turbocharged' and truly excited about his career. I shared with him my recent decision to go all in on the new website and how I love balancing the crackling and reciprocal energy flow.

Nodding in agreement, that this is a key component of success regardless of the magnitude or circumstance, we charged up the next hill as if vying for a TdF KOM.

Its not so much a question of balance - more a answer.

And the answer is yes.