When You Lose Your QOM on Strava // The #1 App for Runners, Cyclists, Swimmers
QOM – Queen of the Mountain, or, KOM – King of the Mountain is Strava speak for owning the fastest record for a segment in your chosen activity, such as your cycling goals. Oh! What an email I received from Strava! I was beaten on one of my local segments by 42 seconds by someone from out of town? Really? That’s a lot. Looks like I have my work cut out for me this spring to reach my cycling goals. Here’s how I’ll do it.
Losing Your QOM Does Not Equal Losing Your Crown
Wow. Kudos, Paige! I’ll getcha soon. Yes, you swooped down from somewhere really hilly in Morrisville, NC and stole my QOM. I. might be dethroned – but I’m not beheaded, so I will get that back.
Truly, I have to thank you for motivating me, inspiring me, and giving me a cycling goal for which to aim! You didn’t steal it – you won it, and I’m proud of anyone who gets out there and rocks it.
Trick #1 to Reclaim My Crown:
I’m Coming For Ya, Paige! Locals Rule!
While you may have beat my time on a local segment by 42 seconds, Paige, and, you may have a lot more experience with hills, I’m taking the local advantage if it ever is available. SMH – beat me in my own backyard; how did I even let that happen?
Who thinks it’s fair to plot a day with the wind in your favor to take back your QOM or KOM and reach your cycling goals? Or have your partner pull you to that segment, then you take the lead? So far, all my QOM’s have been unplanned. I earned them naturally. But now! I might have to plot specifically to beat you! Please comment below if this is unsportsmanlike!
Trick #2 to Reclaim My Crown:
My New Mighty Racing Fulcrums
My birthday Fulcrums. Mine are the Fulcrum Racing 3 C17 Clincher Wheelset 2020. They make me faster. I swear.
Will New Fulcrum Wheels Make You Cycle Faster will explain this. It’s not just the new, snazzy gear that makes you faster. It’s your belief in yourself, taking the lead, finding your pace, managing your in’s and out’s, sleep, and stress that help you reach your cycling goals.
Trick #3 to Reclaim My Crown:
I Knocked 16 Pounds off My Bike
Yup, I knocked 15 pounds off my bike. Went through my saddle bag and eliminated one tube of lip balm, washed all the ounces of dirt off, weighed the Fulcrums – that eliminated at least a pound right there alone!
Then I did a bit of portion control and turning my nose, and bingo! 15 pounds off me – which means 15 pounds off my bike. I enlisted the help of the experts at Noom and their #psychtricks and psychology-based approach. Apparently, that’s exactly what appealed to me; their emphasis on healthy eating, healthy thinking, and a total mind-body connection. I just needed smart people to give me a boost with science-based facts!
Trick #4 to Reclaim My Crown:
Mind – Body Connection
It’s time to work on some meditations, some yoga, and some ways to reduce stress at work. The whole mind and body connection can unbalance you quickly.
Managing stress, unhealthy habits, poor sleep; all combines to make a stronger you. I’m working on that! Noom is great for inspiring you to put it all together; the positive affirmations, the mindfulness – all of it!
If managing stress, sleeping better, and losing bad habits help me reach my cycling goals and make me healthier at the same time – I’m loving it!
Trick #5 to Reclaim My Crown:
Give Kudos to Get Kudos
I’m not going to dwell on the “loss” of my QOM for my segment. Once again, I’m going to let Fulcrum know that some of us are in hot pursuit of QOM’s – not just KOM’s!
Try my new saying out for meeting your own goals: “I will what I want.”
Say it to yourself a couple times. Roll it around. Notice the various emphasis. We used to play an emphasis game – repeat the sentence, and each time, emphasize a different word. It really works! Multiple meanings.
Think that one over “I will what I want”, because it’s my new mantra, and it can be yours, too. If you or I want something, you or I will do what it takes to make it happen. And, we can manifest, or, “will” the good things into our lives.
For an interesting read, Rhonda Byrne’s “The Secret” is all about manifesting. Money, health, relationships, happiness, all can be in your reach. The Secret shows you what is possible, and Noom gives you some great techniques to make it all happen faster.
So, here’s to you, Paige! Kudos to you! You inspire me. And You inspired me.
I’m coming for you! XO Kim
