A race to the finish

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt
  • 341st Missile Wing Public Affairs
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Sometimes Airmen can learn important lessons about how to handle what life throws at them through sports. For instance, when they just begin to see the finish line after running a grueling 5K, 10K or half marathon and need all the wheel-power they have left to cross it, or when they feel overwhelmed from the pressure of everything falling on their shoulders, yet they keep their wits about themselves and perform exceptionally. Many things can affect someone whether they have been a life-long athlete or just a one-time competitor, and many things can be used as learning tools to become the best at everything they do.

1st Lt. Mark Taylor, 490th Missile Squadron ICBM combat crew commander, has had these same experiences on more than one occasion. He learned how to ride a bicycle when he was 4 years old and has been riding ever since; in his words, he "was hooked immediately." Taylor began competitive cycling his first year in college and since then has gone on to compete throughout the northwest (Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana) winning competitions as a solo cyclist and also competing with the U.S. Military Cycling Team.

"It did not start out as my favorite sport," said Taylor. "I had been playing football since I was 9 years old and during the summer between high school graduation and the start of college I was searching for something to do. My dad has always been a cyclist and I, jokingly, said, 'That doesn't look too hard.' Big mistake! He took me out on my first road bike ride and destroyed me. I couldn't believe how fast and how far someone could go on a bicycle. Eventually, I found my way to a local training race and as soon as I crossed the finish line I knew I wanted to race bikes."

After attending college at Central Washington University in Ellensburg, Washington, Taylor received a commission through the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program and began his military career. He continued to race and went on to join the U.S. Military Cycling Team Fueled by Free Radical Scavenger in 2012.

"I learned very quickly that my duties as an Airman come first and that meant training early in the morning, during lunch breaks and into the dark hours of the evening," Taylor said. "I ride between 12 to 14 hours a week, sometimes longer during race season. It equates to about 250 to 300 miles a week. This is all done on the bike. During the winter I spend lots of hours on the trainer in my garage as well as some weight lifting sessions in the gym."

As a competitive cyclist everything comes into play - diet, exercise, rest and even home life can have a substantial effect on an athlete.

"This year, more than ever, I've really paid attention to my diet," Taylor said. "Fortunately my coach is an Air Force dietician so my nutrition and weight are closely monitored. My diet has a great effect on my training and racing. There's the old saying 'garbage in garbage out,' and I've really noticed that training as a cyclist. If I eat a bunch of junk food before jumping on the bike I'm usually tired and I don't recover as well the next day as I do when I eat what I'm supposed to."

A good work ethic and perseverance are essential to becoming an exceptional athlete. Taylor's experience is far from over but through his accomplishments as a competitor he continues to show others what it means to be the best and have excellence in all you do.

"Bike racing is the hardest thing I've ever done physically and emotionally," Taylor said. "You spend so much time and effort training and you know you are going to lose more than you win; but when you do win it is the most satisfying feeling you will ever experience, nothing compares."