A Zen teacher saw five of his students returning from the market, riding their bicycles. When they arrived at the monastery and had dismounted, the teacher asked the students, "Why are you riding your bicycles?"
The first student replied, "The bicycle is carrying the sack of potatoes. I am glad that I do not have to carry them on my back!" The teacher praised the first student, "You are a smart boy! When you grow old, you will not walk hunched over like I do."
The second student replied, "I love to watch the trees and fields pass by as I roll down the path!" The teacher commended the second student, "Your eyes are open, and you see the world."
The third student replied, "When I ride my bicycle, I am content to chant nam myoho renge kyo." The teacher gave praise to the third student, "Your mind will roll with the ease of a newly trued wheel."
The fourth student replied, "Riding my bicycle, I live in harmony with all sentient beings." The teacher was pleased, and said to the fourth student, "You are riding on the golden path of non-harming."
The fifth student replied, "I ride my bicycle to ride my bicycle"
The teacher sat at the feet of the fifth student and said,
"Ahh.... I am your student!"
Monday, October 26
Friday, October 9
Busy weekend ahead
Aside from my usual classes, this weekend will see me volunteering at the Spinning Showcase at the Chelsea football stadium in London. Not sure what will be involved, probably moving bikes around and filling water bottles, but I'm sure it'll be fun and I'll get to hang around and soak up the atmosphere. Besides, I've done so many conventions this year (Miami twice, New York, Hemsby) that I can give this one a miss, despite it being on my doorstep. Definitely next year, though!
Also this weekend is the Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii. For me and many in the UK triathlon community, the men's event has taken a back seat these past few years as Chrissie Wellington did us proud on her first year as a pro, repeating the performance the following year despite losing a lot of time with a punctured tyre. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to watch the online coverage on Saturday night, which has a cult following all of its own.
Go Chrissie - make it a hat-trick!
Also this weekend is the Ironman World Champs in Kona, Hawaii. For me and many in the UK triathlon community, the men's event has taken a back seat these past few years as Chrissie Wellington did us proud on her first year as a pro, repeating the performance the following year despite losing a lot of time with a punctured tyre. Unfortunately, I doubt I'll be able to watch the online coverage on Saturday night, which has a cult following all of its own.
Go Chrissie - make it a hat-trick!
Friday, October 2
Aw, crap!
A long time ago, so long I had even forgotten I did it, I applied for the London Marathon. Entries are by ballot, so it's pretty much a lottery as to whether one gets a place or not.
Guess what?
Yup, my number came up!
And three weeks to the day after I tore my ankle tendons... if my progress on the bike is not matched by that on the run, I may have to defer my entry to 2011, to make sure I can get in plenty of endurance training and speedwork.
For now, I've entered it in my list of events I'm doing in one capacity or another (see the right hand side of the page) but I'm putting a question mark on it until I go out for my first post-injury run, some time away yet.
Guess what?
Yup, my number came up!
And three weeks to the day after I tore my ankle tendons... if my progress on the bike is not matched by that on the run, I may have to defer my entry to 2011, to make sure I can get in plenty of endurance training and speedwork.
For now, I've entered it in my list of events I'm doing in one capacity or another (see the right hand side of the page) but I'm putting a question mark on it until I go out for my first post-injury run, some time away yet.
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