Ultra-Performance: A Lesson About the Work Nobody Sees

Decades on the bike have taught me a great deal about ultra-performance, persistence, preparation and the art of moving forward.

Some lessons come from the races themselves. Others emerge from the miles, through experience, reflection and observation.

In this series, I share a few of the lessons the road has taught me, and what they might mean for life on two wheels and life on two feet.

A lesson about the work nobody sees

A moment on the podium is exactly that: a moment. An exciting, uplifting, celebratory moment.

It’s one you remember, so when it comes your way, take it and live it out loud!

Moments like these reflect all the hard work, the dedication, the long and lonely hours of training, and the endless inner dialogue of self-motivation and belief.

For that moment, the light from the podium illuminates all the effort that has gone unseen.

The dark side of the moon

Did you know that the moon is visible to us because it reflects the sun’s light? When the moon appears dark, it doesn’t mean it isn’t there. We simply can’t see the light reflecting from it.

Performance is a bit like that.

So much of the time, there is no podium to reflect all the effort.

But those of us who set goals, train, fall down, get back up, overcome obstacles and find a way forward know that progress is happening, even when there’s nothing to show for it.

We know that disappointment isn’t the end of the story. That setbacks don’t have to be full stops. And that we can choose to set our faces to the wind and try again.

We know that performance is built on the dark side of the moon.

I think particularly of my 2012 Race Across America experience, which nearly brought my endurance career to an end. What followed was a dark time, but season after season, year after year, I kept applying effort in the direction of my goals.

That work built and shaped the performance that eventually took me to the top of the podium at the 2019 Race Across America, winning the 60–69 age category.

So this is for all of you who continue to work towards your goals and dreams when the results aren’t yet visible.

Keep moving forward. There may be a podium somewhere along the way, but sometimes you have to create your own.

Take a moment. Lift your arms and celebrate just how far you’ve come.

The work nobody sees is often the work that matters most.

If you’re working towards a goal that matters to you, Joe can help you prepare with purpose, build consistency and make the most of your potential. Contact Joe and start a conversation.