Row Your Own Ocean (The Friday Ficks S5 E36)

A few years back, I rode more miles and climbed more vertical than I had in my entire first decade of cycling. It was an epic year. And yet, I kept pretty quiet about it.

Not because I felt like an imposter. But because I knew somewhere out there, someone’s numbers would dwarf mine.

That point was driven home at year’s end, on a Zoom call with a few people from around the world. One woman casually mentioned she had rowed - yes, rowed - solo across the Atlantic Ocean and was training to row solo across the Pacific Ocean.

Talk about perspective.

Here’s the truth: unless you’re Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, or Stephen Hawking, there will always be someone out there who’s stronger, faster, or smarter.

And that’s perfectly fine. Their greatness doesn’t diminish yours. My “big numbers” cycling year didn’t shrink in value because someone else rowed an ocean.

Compare and despair at your own risk. Keep stacking and then celebrating your miles, your climbs, your achievements, your wins - because they all matter.

Row your own ocean. Chances are it’ll be epic.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl