So, there I was, kicking off one of my first bike rides of the year with a brilliant decision—join a group of cyclists who had been riding all winter and go for a casual 73 miles. Yes, seventy-three. Why not, right? What could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: a lot.)

At first, I was doing okay. The legs were moving, the scenery was different, and I was feeling pretty good about myself. Look at me, keeping up with the seasoned riders! And then, reality hit like an unexpected pothole. My legs started cramping. My energy tanked. And suddenly, that finish line felt like it was on another planet.

In moments like these, it’s easy to complain. It’s easy to get down on yourself. And it’s really easy to quit. Trust me, every fiber of my being was suggesting that curling up on the side of the road and waiting for a rescue truck would be a solid life choice.

But here’s the thing—life is a lot like cycling. At some point in the pain and discomfort, I realized I had to do some serious mental gymnastics to keep going.

1. Change the Conversation in Your Head

I had to literally talk myself into staying on that bike. Out loud, and yes that did make me the weird guy in the road (although, let’s be honest, they probably already suspected). My internal pep talk went something like this:

• You got this.
• You’re stronger than you feel.
• Just one pedal at a time.

And then, occasionally:

• Why did I sign up for this?
• I should have just gone to brunch instead.

But the truth is, what you say to yourself in difficult times determines the outcome of those times. If you’re telling yourself you can’t do it, guess what? You probably won’t. But if you tell yourself you’re capable, resilient, and just need to keep moving forward—one painful pedal at a time—you give yourself a fighting chance.

2. Rely on What You’ve Learned

Once my inner motivational speaker had a grip on things, I had to fall back on my skills.

• Positioning: I made sure my saddle position was right.
• Pedal Stroke: I adjusted my cadence and foot placement.
• Upper Body: I focused on relaxing my shoulders and arms, because apparently, when we’re exhausted, we ride like we’re carrying the weight of the world on our handlebars.

The same goes for life. When we’re tired, we get sloppy. We cut corners. We forget the skills and wisdom we’ve gained. But those are the very things that will keep us moving forward if we lean into them.

3. Consume What You Need (Even If You Don’t Feel Like It)

I had gels. I had water. I had everything I needed to fuel my body. But did I want to take them? Nope. My brain was like, Hard pass don’t taste right. We’re fine. Let’s just power through! (A terrible plan, by the way.)

Eventually, I forced myself to take in what I needed. And wouldn’t you know it? My body responded. It’s funny how in endurance—whether in cycling or in life—we often resist the very things that can help us.

• We don’t rest when we should.
• We don’t hydrate our souls with good relationships, prayer, or positive influences.
• We ignore the “nutrition” we desperately need to keep going.

But when we actually take in what’s good for us, it makes all the difference.

4. Keep Pedaling

At some point, I realized there was only one way to finish: just keep pedaling. One stroke at a time. One mile at a time. Eventually, the end came into view. And when I finally made it back to the truck, exhausted and sore but still upright, I was grateful. Grateful I didn’t quit. Grateful I pushed through. And grateful that next time, maybe, I’d start with a slightly more reasonable ride.

So, if you’re feeling tired—physically, emotionally, spiritually—pay attention to your inner dialogue. Rely on the skills you’ve developed. Take in the good things that nourish you. And above all, just keep moving forward. Because at some point, you will arrive at the finish line—and you’ll be so glad you didn’t quit.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need a snack and a nap. Probably in that order.