Discovery

I went for a bike ride today for the first time in a really, really, really long time.  It has to be at least a year since I rode. When I don't ride for a long time I get really nervous about riding.  I'm not exactly sure why, but I do.  My friends weren't feeling good and ended up not going, but I was there and decided I was going to do a short one anyway.  We met at Kailua Beach park so I thought I'd just do the Lanikai Loop.  It's a short loop with some hills and a really popular route for biking, running, dog walking, etc. So I thought that would be a great way to ease back into it.  After I did that I felt so good I decided to continue riding.  I headed down Kalaheo towards the Marine Base.  This is the route of a triathlon and it's flat and fast and fun.  It also goes right by the house where President Obama and his family are spending the Christmas holidays. Oh joy!  I did not get to see him but I did get to see some crazy sign wavers.  They had signs about ending the war blah, blah, blah..... Clearly if he could bring the troops home he would.  I'm pretty sure he said he would during the campaign.  Since he hasn't done it yet, is it possible that the president knows things we don't??  Hmmmm.....maybe???  Anyway, I rode to the back gate of the Marine Base turned around and headed back to the car.  By the time I got to the car I was really feeling it in my quads.  I went about 9.5 miles in 50 minutes.  Not great but not bad for a first ride in a year. The best part was it reminded me how much I absolutely love biking.  It is without a doubt my favorite of the three sports - swimming, biking, running.

As I was riding a revelation came to me.  When I was in my best shape ever I was riding a lot. I mean a lot.  I rode at least 2 mornings a week and I rode to WW on Saturdays. From where I lived at the time that was a 30 mile round trip ride. I would ride there, 15 miles,  go to the meeting, go get some lunch - usually a treat, then ride home.  By then I was done for the day but what a great routine.  Now I live less than 5 miles from the meeting.  I could run there.  Anyway, riding was really what does it for me - I believe.  I can push myself hard.  I go keep it up after I get tired.  I can do amazing things on a bike.  I think I need to ride more.  I'm going to ride 3 days in the next week, since I'm home.  Once school starts again I'm going to ride at least once a week.  I think that will help me reach my fitness and weight goals.