Namaste Noble Warriors!
“Everything in life either makes you stronger or weaker. Everything can either make you contract or expand. Which are you choosing?”
– Coach Ilg
NOTE: IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHO WON THE TOUR DE FRANCE FINAL TIME TRIAL DO NOT READ FURTHER!
Well, France must be quite stricken with ‘Postal Envy’ today…
not one, not two, but THREE Americans finished in the TOP TEN of today’s decisive time trial, originally billed by commentators as the final determiner between Lance and Germany’s bullish Jan Ullrich. But commentators don’t race. There is still one more day of racing, and although Jan will fly the white flat of surrender to Lance and not contest the final 200 kilometer “roll into” Paris, the Sprinters Jersey is still up for grabs between Zabel, McEwyn, and Cooke. that means it will be faster then the traditional champagne drinking cruise toward the Eiffel Tower. Lance does need to stay upright tomorrow. But his team is intact and will deliver him as sweet as a baby’s breath to the top step of the podium.
Why Jan Lost The Time Trial
He did not appease the gods, that is why. devoted DL readers will recall my various writings on the importance of ritual in the spiritual journey. well, in endurance athletics, you must win the favor of the gods as well in order for Them to turn on the spigot of Divine Benevolence. Lance visited and meditated on the Time Trial course way back in April and again in the cold, wet rain the morning of the event. the wise spiritual athlete knows that by recon’ing the sites of future races, you leave indelible astral imprints of positivism that come back to you during the actual race. Jan, on the other hand, elected to remain in his hotel bed, warm and comfy to preview the course via video. such spiritual lethargy does not win the favor of the gods. thus, Jan went down hard like a cheese omelet on the slippery course, bruising his ego, his back, his bike, and his karma. the only thing good about Jan’s crash was the amazing camera work right behind him…not even a wobble of the lens!
Other:
� Tyler gets 4th…another Buddha on a bike, baby! broken collarbone and all…i bow to Tyler. and Hincapie. Hincapie.
� Spanish cyclists need a weightroom. someone please, for the sake of TV viewers across the world, send them a copy of THE WINTER ATHLETE so they can do something, anything about those toothpick arms over the off season. no wonder why they cannot muster the power to capitalize on their natural talents…they need the gym!
� future prediction: Lance has now made winning the Tour so cool that LA Laker’s owner Gerry Buss will partner up with Robin Williams and Arnold Swarzenegger to buy US POSTAL. they will put in Phil Jackson as coach, hire Jan Ullrich and Tyler Hamilton and Eric Zabel as Lance’s Super Domestiques. under this new management Lance will go on to win an unprecedented 7 more Tour titles. Lance will then become President of the United States and mandate that EVERYONE RIDE THEIR BIKES TO WORK! PowerBar will become the official food of the United States.
well, i don’t know about you, but Lance and the US boyz inspired me to go ride my bike over to Westwood to take Blanchard’s Level 3 yoga class this morning, so i better get outa here.
i truly trust that Lance’s courage in this year’s Tour does more than just provide entertainment for non-cyclists…may his CHI fuel more Americans to get off their car-driving keesters and get fit by integrating some more breath and movement into their days via a bicycle….perhaps the best human invention ever created (next, of course, to cross country skis!).
i bow to you.
be brave in some little way today…
love,
coach ilg
These teachings are the "Rasas" or "sap" of Wholistic Fitness. You’ll find insights to ponder, student chi to keep your own chi topped off, and plenty of proven training techniques to test on your own body, mind, and spirit! Also, you’ll find my very popular Race Reports, and news of our Sangha’s (community’s) latest transpersonal fitness adventures!