Team Riders,
We haven't talked about his yet but I think it important for each rider to have goals. Goals give you something to strive toward and lead you to stretch your limits and go beyond what you originally thought was possible by setting them, achieving them and setting another one and so on, until you realize you have surpassed your predisposed limitations.
Everyone on the team should have a a long term and a short term goal they are working on.

Goals need to be :

• Realistic and attainable: Don't swing for the fences on your first "at bat".  Start with something simple and work from there.
• Measurable: so you know you have achieved it: Be specific so you know exactly what you are visuallizing along the way.
• Specific to you and meaningful to you: More important than impressing anyone else is achieving what YOU want.

Think about what you want your goals to be. Take a few minutes when you have time. Think it through then take action.

Write your goal(s) down if you are serious about it/them. That will make it more real to you and show yourself how serious you are and that you are commited to it/them.

Then plot a course of how you are going to get there. Think about who's assistance you may need and pursue it. People like to help people who know what they want so don't be afraid to ask.

You can motivate yourself on the way to a long term goal that requires a lot of work by allowing yourself predetermined small rewards at specific milestones that mark progress toward what you ultimately want to accomplish.

Henry Ford said; paraphrased; "No job is too big to do if you break it up into small tasks"

(I would each rider to have as a side goal to finish every race you enter. It make take some extra effort if things do not go right, but with some advance preparation, and commitment, and you may have to THINK if you have a problem. But you should be able to cross the finish line with your bike without outside help. Some situations may prevent this but make sure you have tried everything before you give up.)

This is not all about racing bikes. It is good practice for life. (especially if bikes is your life. jk)

If you don't want to make goals for cycling then think about the rest of your month, year, life and think about goals and how to achieve them.

If anyone wants to discuss goals, or anything else about the team, feel free to contact me. I would be happy to help think it through.

thanks

Adam Nuyens (Head Coach)
San Marin High School Mountain Bike Team
Novato High School Mountain Bike Team