So much has changed

I had started a post about my first ride back on the bike in 3 months.  It was to commemorate the start of the Ride with GPS challenge I accepted.  I actually got in a nice 5+ mile ride last Friday and a 3+ mile ride on Saturday. The problem is I haven't ridden since Saturday.  Life has gotten in the way.  Not physically but more mentally.

I was going to talk about how little pressure was left in my tires after sitting for 3 months and about how terribly slow and out of shape I felt while at the same time feeling exhilirated about riding again.  I had even planned on riding again Sunday evening.  But then Life happened.

To make a long story short there was a stolen and then recovered car, lots of waiting for dealers and appraisers and others.  There is the inconvenience of being down a vehicle.  Really these are all nothing more than excuses.

I certainly acknowledge that I am using these events as excuses not to ride, but frankly riding has been the last thing on my mind lately. Sure I've had the fleeting thought that I should ride, but never at an opportune time to actually do it. It would probably have helped lower my stress level, but I just didn't have the attitude nor willingness to get on the bike.  I need to change that and integrate the bike more into my daily routine.  I just may need to start getting up at 4:00 am again on work days to get my riding in.

The good news is, even through all the stress, I didn't turn to food for comfort.  That is a big deal.  I have continued the progress in the weight loss and am happy to report I am down 20 lbs. in a month. So at least I am still doing something right.

Time to take my own advice and...

Get on my bike and ride!

August Challenge rides 8 & 9

So the weekend is starting off on a busy note starting yesterday.  I managed to squeeze in a quick ride in the morning before doing my errands for the day.  Today I just rode around with the grand kids - not far at all, but it was fun getting them out there.  Unfortunately it started getting dark so we couldn't go very far.

So, some stats:

Ride #8
3.3 Miles
15:15 Elapsed time

Ride #9
1.8 miles
13:01 Elapsed time

So far this month:

61.9 Miles
4:49:50 Elapsed Time

There have been challenges getting a couple of my rides in, but having this challenge has been enough to make sure I'm at least on the bike daily.

Keep those pedals turning!!!!

August Challenge

I have been very inconsistent with my fitness lately so I need something to kick-start things heading into fall and better riding weather. So I've decided to create a challenge - ride everyday in the month of August.  I'm not putting any restrictions on distance or time, but I will get on my bike and ride all 31 days in August.

I got the idea from Clive Chapman's blog when he accepted a challenge 2 years ago to bike everyday in July.  I'm a bit late to the party so I am going to do August this year.

Anyone want to join me in this challenge?

In the past I have set an arbitrary minimum distance for a ride to be counted for a challenge, but I am not doing that this time.  The challenge is just to get on the bike every single day in the month.  I will post daily on how far my ride was that day and give a total distance for the month as well.  I would expect to exceed 250 during the month of August.  We will have to see when its all said and done.

As Mr. Mercury said, so eloquently;

"GET ON YOUR BIKES AND RIDE!!!"

I fought the law and I won

That is Newton's first law of motion which states, and I quote:

An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force. An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Basically I was at rest, nice and snug in my bed when the alarm went off.  I rolled over, turned it off and even went so far as to reset the alarm for 5:25 thinking that I was going to remain at rest.  Then I started fighting.

I fought my own excuses for not doing what I know is right.  The thoughts went through my head:

"I'm too tired."

"I have a slight headache."

"I can do it tomorrow and still make 3 days this week."

I fought each one with logic and desire:

"You won't be any less tired if you go back to sleep."

"That's no excuse, it will probably go away as soon as you are up and moving."

"Tomorrow never comes."

In the end I won and got myself out of bed, got dressed and went out for a ride.  Once I was out on my bike I was feeling much better.  I was certainly glad I didn't give in to my excuses.

I ended up riding a good 10 miles this morning at an average of 13.5 mph.  Not bad for such an early morning.