There’s something magical about the night before a training session. Your bike is ready, your kit is laid out, and your mind is already on the road ahead. The anticipation fills you with energy. That’s exactly how I felt last week—excited, prepared, and eager for a cycling session I had been looking forward to all week. But life had other plans. A painful encounter with a tiny insect turned that excitement into a full week of rest, reflection, and unexpected growth.
This is a story about how setbacks—whether in endurance sports or in life—can lead to breakthroughs. It’s a reminder that consistency doesn’t always mean doing the same thing over and over again. Sometimes, it means adapting, listening to your body, and trusting that progress takes many forms.
The Setback: A Painful Encounter with the Rove Beetle
It started innocently enough. A few itchy spots on my face. I thought maybe a mosquito had found its way into my room. But by the next day, the irritation had turned into painful blisters that looked and felt far worse than a simple bug bite.
After some research, I learned I had come into contact with a rove beetle. Unlike most insects, rove beetles don’t bite or sting. Instead, they release a potent toxin called pederin when crushed. This toxin can cause severe skin irritation, often mistaken for burns or blisters. And unfortunately, I must have touched one without realizing it and then unknowingly transferred the toxin to my face with my hands.
What followed was a week of inflammation, discomfort, and frustration. I couldn’t go out. I couldn’t train outdoors. Even small movements hurt. I had no choice but to cancel my scheduled rides and retreat into recovery mode.
Strength Training: Turning Frustration into Focus
When you’re training for endurance events, it’s easy to think of every missed ride as a setback. For days, I wrestled with guilt and the fear of losing progress. But after the initial shock wore off, I remembered something important: this is part of the journey.
I shifted my focus to what I could do. Since I couldn’t train outdoors, I moved to indoor strength training. I focused on weightlifting and core stability exercises—areas that often get overlooked in favor of cardio. These gym sessions helped me maintain my routine, release endorphins, and stay connected to my goals.
More importantly, they reminded me that consistency doesn’t mean perfection. It means showing up, even if the form looks different than expected.
Back on the Bike: The Power of Rest and Resilience
Fast forward to this morning. My blisters had healed, and I was finally ready to get back on the bike. I had missed the wind, the rhythm, the solitude of the road. I started my cycling session with cautious optimism—but as I pushed the pedals, something surprising happened.
I felt strong. Really strong.
It wasn’t just the usual rush of excitement after a break. My legs were solid. My core felt engaged. The hills felt a little less steep. And I realized that my indoor strength training had actually enhanced my cycling performance. The muscles I had worked during my downtime were now powering me forward on the road.
This wasn’t just recovery. It was a rebuild.
Lessons Learned: Setbacks Are Setups in Disguise
That one week of pain turned into one of the most important training lessons I’ve ever experienced. Here’s what I learned—and what you can take with you into your own endurance journey or personal challenges.
1. Listen to Your Body, Even When It’s Frustrating
In the world of endurance sports, we’re often told to push through discomfort. But there’s a difference between productive discomfort and real pain. Had I ignored my symptoms or tried to train through the infection, I could have caused permanent damage.
Learning to listen to your body is a skill. It’s also an act of respect—for yourself, your health, and your long-term goals.
2. Strength Training Is Not Optional—It’s Essential
Cyclists often prioritize mileage over muscle. But the week I spent lifting weights reminded me that a strong body supports better endurance. My power, balance, and even mental confidence improved.
If you’re serious about performance, schedule strength training into your weekly routine. Think of it not as cross-training, but as foundational training.
3. Progress Isn’t Always Linear
We often imagine progress as a straight line: more miles, faster times, better stats. But growth is messier than that. It includes setbacks, detours, pauses, and redirections.
Sometimes, a week of “low” performance sets the stage for a major breakthrough. That’s not failure—that’s preparation.
4. Consistency Means Adaptability
During my recovery, I wasn’t able to follow my usual training plan. But I didn’t give up. I adapted. That adaptability is what kept my momentum going.
Whether you’re training for a triathlon, working on a business, or trying to build a new habit, consistency means finding ways to stay engaged—even if it looks different day to day.
5. Gratitude Transforms the Journey
By the end of the week, as I looked in the mirror and saw the blisters healing, I felt a deep sense of gratitude—not just for my body, but for the process. For the way my body knows how to heal. For the opportunity to move, to feel, to train again.
Gratitude softens the hard days and amplifies the good ones. And in sports, as in life, it keeps you grounded in what matters most.
Practical Tips: How to Train Through Setbacks
If you find yourself in a similar situation—injured, sick, or dealing with unexpected life changes—here are a few practical tips:
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Focus on what you can do. Can’t run? Swim. Can’t ride? Lift. Can’t lift? Meditate. Movement takes many forms.
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Adjust your goals, not your standards. Your weekly mileage might change, but your dedication doesn’t have to.
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Take recovery seriously. Healing is part of training. Prioritize rest, hydration, and sleep.
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Keep a training journal. Write down how you feel physically and mentally. You’ll start to see patterns—and progress.
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Stay connected to your “why.” When motivation dips, revisit your purpose. Why did you start? What are you working toward?
Fall in Love With the Process
The past week reminded me that endurance isn’t just about long rides or tough workouts. It’s about resilience. It’s about how we respond when things don’t go to plan. It’s about falling in love with the process, even when it includes rest days, gym days, or slow days.
So if you’re facing a setback—whether physical, emotional, or circumstantial—know this: it’s not the end of the road. It might just be the start of a stronger, smarter, more grounded version of yourself.
This week, I got back on the bike. I felt strong. I felt grateful. And I felt more connected to my training journey than ever before.