Today’s ride was an eye opening one. I started out going the same way I normally do
when starting out from my home. When I
came to the first intersection, I was deciding which direction I wanted to go
this morning. Then I said to myself, “Courtney,
you can go anywhere.” I can go…ANYWHERE!!! So, I did!
I rode down 3.25 miles to the ball fields where my friend’s daughter
plays softball. From there, I treated
myself to a path that took me alongside the elementary, intermediate, and high
school where the majority of my TaeKwonDo students attend.
Then I stopped at a little park to ‘refuel’ – snacking on an
apple and water. It was at the little
rest stop that something different happened.
It was not an event, it was a feeling.
I had been maintaining an average pace of about 9.5 miles an hour (6m
16s mile), I was slightly winded, but not out of breath. And NOTHING hurt. I felt like it was a casual ride. It felt GREAT!
After my break, I rode past the local YMCA where I would
normally turn right to go home. But I
can go ANYWHERE today, so instead, I went straight – talking the ‘long way home.’
The latter part of my ride was met with a steady headwind, but even that felt
different.
My normal morning bike route of usually 6-7 miles had turned into 9 miles. As I was peddling through my neighborhood I couldn’t help but think that I might be getting a little better because my biking was getting a little easier. Easier can mean only one thing – it’s time for a change. My changes will most likely be A) longer rides, B) a higher gear setting, C) faster peddling – or D) ALL OF THE ABOVE!
Even though I’m a martial arts instructor, I’ve never really
been a ‘gym rat.’ I’ve never ‘fallen in
love’ with exercising (for the sake of exercising.) But having a goal staring at me makes all the
difference. I do struggle sometimes with
simply getting out the door in the mornings, but once I’m on the bike – I LOVE
IT!
I can go ANYWHERE I want!
I want to go biking. I want to go
to Atlanta in 121 days.
Jean, this ride’s for YOU!!!