Why?

Why do you do it? 

Why do you put yourself through such pain? 

A bike ride in the middle of the day, are you CRAZY?

Doesn't it get boring?

Why are you pushing yourself so hard? For what?

I've been asked these questions quite a lot lately and to tell you the truth, I haven't really given it much thought until now. Well, for those who don't really know me, I try and train about six times per week with a rest day during Thursdays. I usually sneak in short mileages through out the weekdays and do my long runs/rides/swims during the weekends.

I've felt that I have dedicated my life into this so much that I can't seem to see myself doing anything but it. It has basically taken over my life (I hope that's a good thing).

Going back to the question, WHY? How can you do this, day in and day out, but still be able to get back the next day and do it all over again? To tell you the truth, I've found the answer through my past.

I was never really an achiever during my early days. To put it quite bluntly, I was one of those kids who you wouldn't want your own sons or daughters hanging around with. Nor was I one of those guys who the professor was clearly fond off. I was an early smoker at the age of 14, around second year high school and was also into a lot of other mischief in relation with that. A year later I got booted out of school and had to move. In my later years, it didn't get any better. I was clearly unprepared for college and basically only took two entrance exams (where in I was drunk in both instances) which I obviously failed.

In a nutshell, I've had a lot of mistakes. I've also had a lot of people give up on me. I know each one of them, I saw how they looked at me with that face, thinking I will never amount to anything. Not one of them even tried to talk to me and lead me properly. Basically they just assumed I would grow up to be that way.

Well today I am not that person, I've believe I have grown as a better man. Not realizing it till now, I think the sport is what has brought me to be that person. The sport has taught me how to be patient, work hard, and to always believe in yourself with the work you do, cause it will pay off.

So, why do I do this?

Well its for that person who takes his first step in changing his life, its for all the people who gave up on me, its for the people who believed in me, its for the ones who push themselves farther to find out who they really are, its for that person who dreams, and its for love of the sport.

If ever I were sent to one of those group therapy sessions, well these guys would be my support group