A New Hobby.

So remember how I bought a new bike on Sunday?  Well, I kind of really like it.  But I am also still slightly terrified of actually riding it…

I apparently have a thing for purple bikes… not intentionally but I am pretty sure all my bikes have been purple.

I was too busy on Sunday to actually go for a real ride so all of Monday I was super anxious to get out there and ride!  It was insanely hot here though, like 100 degrees, so I was a little worried about exercising in that heat.  Just the thought of running in 80+ degree temps makes my stomach hurt but surprisingly, when you are moving slightly faster than a slow crawl, you actually get to benefit from a little breeze while you are working out and it was not half bad.  I only planned to head out for about 30 minutes and brought water – I think anything longer would have been a struggle though.

As soon as I could get my stupid shoes clipped in, I felt totally in control and like I have been riding a bike all my life (ok, so I guess I kind of have but this is different…).  It was so weird for me to go out to exercise and really not want the 30 minutes to end.  I can’t honestly say there has been a time in my whole running “career” where I have not desperately counted down the minutes or miles until I could call it a day.  With cycling, it is so totally different!  I wanted to stay out there longer and didn’t really want to come home even though I knew I should.  This NEVER happens when I am running.  Maybe it’s just because biking is “new” compared to running which I’ve had my fill of lately but it was so, so nice to really, truly enjoy a workout again!

Another nice thing I noticed about biking is it does not aggravate the aches in my legs and feet I have been feeling lately.  My back I am still not 100% sure about but I think I should be able to find a posture that for sure keeps it feeling fine.  It’s a whole different sensation holding your body up on your arms while you are riding versus when you ride a regular bike and just sit there and balance.  In some ways it feels much better on my back but I think at the same time activates my core more and therefore fatigues my back quicker, maybe?  Who knows.  Hopefully practice helps make this better!

The only really annoying thing about my ride was getting my pedals clipped in when a car was near by… The added pressure of having someone “watching” me fumble with the pedal clip was too much.  Kind of like the first time I tried to drive my stick sift car up a steep hill when I was 16 and could not get it started.  Hopefully with more practice this will become second nature but right now it’s terrifying  That and the thought of having to stop suddenly…

So I’m pretty sure biking is here to stay as an exercise in my rotation which is good because bikes are ridiculously expensive.  I still do miss running and maybe this break from running will be what I need to actually enjoy it again?!  I really hope so but at least for now, I can don my gorgeous bike shorts and helmet and feel my heart rate increase and the breeze in my face!  I’ll also be interested to see if this helps keep my cardiovascular endurance up – that is what I am most worried about losing during this extended break from strenuous exercise.

different kind of bike??

I guess this post really had no point but in summary, biking is fun although I still miss running and I can’t wait to ride later today! I’m shooting for 10 miles!

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