"Recently, I overheard that some cyclists in our
South East Asian Games squad were complaining that their training
was too early for
their liking! That 5 a.m. was a little too early was their main gripe!"
" I couldn't help but shake my head and wonder where their passion was.
Too early ? I think not. If you know that you have to get up by 5 a.m.,
then you should well be in bed by 9 p.m."
" Social life? So who said cycling was easy - nobody asked you to take
it up in the first place! In other words, 'If you wanna ride, better
sleep!!!'"
"
If your objective in cycling is just to join the "national team" and
wear that "red & white jersey", don't waste your time
because qualifying and making it to the S.E.A. Games isn't such a big
feat.... I know of dozens of cyclists who have gone to the Games, but
how many come back with the bacon?"
" In the seven Games between 1985 and 1997, we won a total of 7 medals
and only 2 guys accounted for them; one guy for 6 medals and the other
for 1 medal!!! We sent an average of 6 cyclists to each Games, so you
figure it out how many we sent in 7 Games!"
"
So what I am trying to say is GO only if you really want to win and
not "to TRY" or "gain experience" as is the common
sentiment!!!"
"
Whatever happened to wanting that medal so badly that you actually
dreamt about it daily, training in the rain, sun and wind just to make
it happen! Living in a foreign land away from your family for long
periods of time just so you can eat, breathe and live CYCLING?" It
has to be this hunger that propels you to want to ride that bike and
kick some ass along the way to the podium, you got to want it BAD!"
" For those guys who have won medals, they know what I am talking about...
the lonely morning rides, the long endless Malaysian roads, the long
mountain passes, the unsupporting public and zero social life!!! You
guys will always have my respect."
" I may not have been the best coach or cyclist in my time, but I have
always did what I had to do before going to each event, and I can say
I go 100% fit mentally and physically. Any less and I would have stayed
at home."
" Lastly, one very important piece of advice to anyone who competes:
Train as though it was your last day, with a fresh attitude, as the
long ride to that medal just got shorter!"
