I am pretty much an "add water and stir" kind of guy. I can drop into just about any situation and find my bearings pretty quickly. In order to be successful at bike racing at the elite level (or anything for that matter) you have to not only accept adversity, but thrive in it. It is just part of the game. Some people manage it by planning for it, yet get totally tripped up when something unexpected happens. Others just fly by the seat of their pants, and somehow pull it off, but other times crash and burn.
Me, I am a little of both I guess. I am certainly prepared for things when the wheels fall off the cart. After a lifetime of competing at different levels, in different sports around the world...I have seen a thing or two. I have had to deal with a lot of "deal breakers" turning them into opportunities. I think this comes from my parents. The taught me long ago how to be well prepared for not only success, but failure. And when amongst seemingly sure failure how to remain calm and collected for that is the only way to see a way out. Some things you just can't control...just accept it.
Worlds was no exception. I was sick going into the race. My bike nearly started retirement without me first by breaking a rare frame only weeks before in Napa, then by missing the flight up to BC. To say the least, I had the cards stacked against me. But over the years I have learned one simple rule: to persevere despite how things seem. So many victories and successes come to those who continue trying when others have give up and gone home. Whether it be in sport or life...that rule applies.
I went to win. I was going to do everything I could to make that happen, but more importantly to follow my own defining principal: Above all else, Enjoy the ride. It became clear to me early on in the race that because of factors out of my control, I was not going to win the race, but that was not going to stop me from having the ride of my life.
After three of the four laps and watching my first lap lead fade all the way to 8th, I was determined to ride it out and finish the race with everything I had, one final time despite what place I was in. Going into the final lap, I welled up with emotion. What started out as a hobby, then became a passion, then became a rare opportunity to live out a dream was ending. And end it did. Nothing like finishing a great journey with a yell out loud and a huge infectious smile. You would have thought crossing the line I just won World Championships not come in fourth like I had. But to me, that did not matter. It was my own personal, well deserved celebration for merely being alive.
The thing about living a dream is you never really forget it, but you can ruin it if you try to hard to hold onto it. For the rest of my life, I will never have to look over my shoulder and wonder "What If?" because I had the courage to try...and that has made all the difference.
What's next? Oh the list is long...and it includes plenty of time on my favorite beach with nothing but boardshorts, "Flip-Flops," a towel and a few pesos and maybe a friend...
But first, I am off to Europe to ride in the Alps with Tyler and friends to raise some money to help fight Multiple sclerosis. Please help me help the cause... www.active.com/donate/msglobal2006/patbush
