Just wanted to record the fact that I cycled 55 miles with my brother on Saturday. It was an important milestone to reach. I've been so bummed out about cycling (what am I, suddenly American? When do I ever say 'bummed out'?!) lately, because, let's face it, it's pretty hard work. It's difficult to get up the motivation to go out and do two hours of solid exercise after tea (especially when you're inherently lazy, as I am). So I'm very, very proud of myself for breaking the 50 marker. Not only breaking it, but doing 5 miles extra as well :) Terry asked if I could've done five more and made it to 60; instinctively, I said 'no way'. But when I thought about it, and forced the panic to die down, I supposed that I could've managed five more. What's five miles when you've already done 50? Not much, less than half an hour.
So, cycling is going quite well. I'm realising that I still have plenty of my week left even if I cycle three times. And three times is what I need to do to make those bigger rides possible - I found this week that tackling that 50 miler was made easier (not easy) because I'd already done seventy miles over the week. I suppose I might say that I can feel myself getting fitter! Never thought this would happen, did not think that I had it in me to get fit at all. But now I'm eager to do more, to do bigger distances, and to push myself as much as I possibly can. I'm determined to do the big challenge now, the coast-to-coast-to-coast in just two days. I will have to be fit enough to do 170 miles followed by 170 miles! I can do it. I now know that I can. I'm not sure why, but breaking the back of the 50 miler also broke down a psychological barrier, I think. I'm sure I'll hit walls again, but it's good to know that I can get over them now. I hit a small wall at the weekend, and started off the ride in a bad mood and expecting to have a bad ride. I got over it. Now I know that I can, hopefully I always will be able to.
And my goodness, it feels amazing: to look down at the bike computer (which Terry has just given me as an early Christmas present - I don't like getting early Christmas presents, but I like this one) and see that I'm doing 23mph on the flat, and keeping up 16/17/18mph going uphill, and over 30mph downhill. It's brilliant! Very, very exhilerating. And then there's the added bonus of being outside in such glorious surroundings - we really do live in a very beautiful place. Soon I'll be cycling to the Lake District, and that will just be a joy. This weekend I suppose I did cycle to the edge of the Lakes - Kendal, is kind of the gateway to the Lakes. I'd like to get to Windermere next, and have my lunch overlooking the lake at Bowness. This is living!
And you know what else is living? Writing my book. So I'd best crack on :)
Have a nice day, whatever you're doing. I'm spending the rest of my day being smug at my awesomeness! ;P
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| Sandside, which we cycled through last week, on a beautiful frosty morning. It was stunning. I needed a panoramic lens; didn't have one. |
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