Ken's story: Four seasons of BaseCamp

Better today than...ever!

"Age is an issue of mind over matter; if you don't mind, it doesn’t matter." (Mark Twain)

This is a 100% unabashed, empirical review of my BaseCamp coaching experience. Crushed! I avoid use that term regarding hyperbole concerns, yet here in this moment, it is appropriate. I crushed my best time ever on Mt Lemmon in Arizona (21 miles, 5400 feet of climbing) by thirty freaking minutes just a few days ago. My previous best time was in 2020, when I was six years younger and a measurable FTP stronger.

A combination of BaseCamp winter group coaching, attending skills camps, attending location camps, and engaging in one-on-one coaching over the past four seasons has made me a more knowledgeable athlete, made me a better skilled rider, increased my VO2max in real numbers even against aging, and elevated my overall fitness on and off the bike, all while building a true fatigue-resistant cycling engine. Perhaps equally important, BaseCamp has enhanced my cycling spirit, joy of community, and personal growth.

Age. I have been told since I was a kid with a dream that age will wear you down. In BaseCamp, no coach says that. The dream is the driving factor. Age is a fact, not an excuse.

The program, training, and gaining. The magic is in the knowledge and applying the knowledge. Learning is not static. It is adaptive, and that is one of the magic wands of BaseCamp. The knowledge base is ever adapting, growing, and applying. I came to be a stronger rider. The gift, bonus treasure, is that I also became a smarter, knowledge-filled athlete.

Training and the why of the correct training. Training hard is not enough. Doing the right training with dedication and knowing why you are pushing your limits is powerful. Doing the right training with consistency is the magic. There are no shortcuts, but beware there is a longer, harder road if it is the wrong training road.

Guidance. We are not history; we are making history. Season goals change, life happens, accidents redirect goals. Coach Kathy Watts has guided me through severe injuries and self doubt, helping me create new goals and reach beyond self-imposed limitations. I am better than I could envision, and there is still better ahead.

Coaching support. Person to person, athlete to coach is of course a direct relationship, yet the support is not limited to that single point of contact. BaseCamp's coaching community has no silos, no barriers. The rising tide lifts all athletes.

Support and community. We may ride alone at times and train alone most of the time, yet for me, here in BaseCamp, I was never lonely. I have created heart-deep friendships in a wonderful community. My cycling horizons feel boundless.

Next season I begin the first year of my 70s. Through BaseCamp, in measurable metrics, I have become a more complete athlete.

Equally powerful is my outlook. I have embraced a brighter, clearer, sharing, joyful vision of my cycling future that I had a decade ago.