Lance's Attitude

[DWF]

Just a little more Lance love from CyclingNews & Michele Ferrari:

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Lance's attitude

"Do you think you can run 5 km in less than 17 minutes?" - I asked Lance.

"How fast would it be every mile?"

"5'20, more or less".

"Sure, I can do it!"

With wary skepticism I asked him, "But, have you trained recently for running?"

"I played tennis 3-4 times..."

"Then it is impossible for you to run below 17 minutes with no training at all!"

A little pause - pondering. "Well, I think I can do it."

"Wanna bet a thousand bucks you won't?" I replied, sure of myself.

Thank God that, in front of my certainty, Lance Armstrong did not take the bet.

It was some day at the beginning of December 2002 and we were at the start of the Dirty Duathlon: 5 km running, 20 km MTB and another 5 km running somewhere in the desolate Texan country, one and a half hours drive from Austin.

Needless to say that Lance literally crushed the record of that race, thanks to some excellent running segments, well ahead of all the good duathletes that had come from any part of Texas to win and beat Lance Armstrong.

To see him race is always an amazing experience: it is pure unconditional competition spirit, enjoying the challenge at its fullest. To see him run up and down among the rocks of the course was spectacular: Johann (Bruyneel) and I were exchanging stupefied looks to each other, getting a little worried for the integrity of his muscle joints over such a harsh ground.

But this is Lance.

He undoubtedly suffered atrocious pain in the legs for a good week afterwards, but he would never admit it.

Armstrong won and enjoyed this year's Tour de France with the same spirit he had when he crushed the Dirty Duathlon in the Texan country: and this despite an enormous pressure and a definitely not-so idyllic atmosphere around the Grande Boucle.

Lance confirmed the level of his best performances in both climbing and time trialing, either strategically or emotionally.
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Here's the full link: http://www.cyclingnews.com/road/2004/tour04/features/diaries/ferrari.php?id=ferrari0410#20

[Climb01742]

one of the things i admire about lance is that his take-no-prisoners attitude begins with himself. he holds himself to the same, or higher, standard he holds others to. achievement often requires sacrifice and pain. he's willing to pay the price. IMO, that's admirable.

[geezohwiz]

sees a guy doing pull ups and tries to outdo him, plays basketball not all that well, ends up in a water-drinking contest, and ends up challenging a motorcycle rider to a race.

As you may have surmised from previous posts, I admire Lance Armstrong for not only his athletic accomplishments but for his willingness to do something positive off the bike. Too many athletes just take the money and expect even more, and are as boorish and self-centered as is humanly possible (kind of like the Leon commercials for Bud Light).

As he's often said, he is now first and foremost a cancer survivor, and he has embraced that identity and decided that he's going to help fight cancer with the same zeal and focus that he displays on the bike. I might not like everything about him or everything he does. I'm not even sure I'd call him a hero or role model, labels that we far too often ascribe to people who ultimately prove unworthy of the distinction. I do think he is aware of and cares about his influence and affect on others, particularly young people. And I certainly am in awe of his dedication and respect his accomplishments, both on and off the bike.