Life Cycle
Today's Fatslaying Workout 65 minute bike ride (672 cals burned)
Today's Weight 201.05lbs
*********
I'm kinda limited on the exercise front, because I refuse to join a gym until I find one that opens at 5am...all the local ones open at 6.30 am, which is no good for me 'cos I like to be at my desk by 6am, and I don't want to have to start going in the evening after work - I see little enough of K as it is, without adding a couple of hours of gym-time onto the end of every day.
In the winter I may have to crack, but whilst its summer and still light enough in the evenings to walk or cycle, I prefer to get myself out into the fresh air.
I step out of my front door straight into farmland, so I have no real excuse not to get out there, and I find that I enjoy exercise more when it's done outdoors. Walking is great, but cycling is better.
Before he became ill, K and I used to compete in mountain-bike races and go on mountain biking holidays in Sussex, the Peaks and the Lake District.
I loved it.
The feeling of strength, speed, one-ness with the bike; the thrill of generating such speeds by my own muscle-power; the burning legs and lungs as I pushed myself up hills; the exhilaration of the descents; the camaraderie of other cyclists; the beauty of early morning rides, crunching through hoar frosts and breathing great draught of freezing air; the thrill when we saw deer and foxes as we cycled quietly through the forest - all of it was magical and fabulous.
Then we quit, and became couch potatoes, and I forgot what I was missing.
Lately we've dusted off our bikes, and we've begun to rediscover that pleasure in flexing our muscles and pushing ourselves to go further and faster and to dig deeper and harder. At first it was tough - my body had learned to resent being challenged, and it bitched and groaned every inch of the way.
But these last half dozen rides have rekindled the flame - I feel fabulous, strong - athletic even! It's such a great feeling - and worth every bit of baboon-butt discomfort!
