Another Fitness Goal

Remember when I did my weight loss contest? I put it all out there with pictures and my deep down feelings. And I finished my contest, and posted my results, and even put a picture of myself in a swimsuit on Facebook. And then the coldest, most miserable winter came. I'm not going to say I gained a bunch of weight, because I didn't. What I did gain is flab. I turned into a tired, lazy blob on my couch. I did jumping jacks now and then to feel less guilty about all my loafing. I was feeling like winter was NEVER GOING TO END. Then my mom called and invited Tim and me to go on the White Rim Trail with her and a bunch of other fantastic people. It was like the clouds parted, the bad air lifted, and I could see the light at the end of the horrid tunnel of winter. But here's the thing: The White Rim Trial is 100 miles long, and we're doing it over the course of 4 days. That averages 25 miles a day on a bike. I have a very nice bike, who has been waiting patiently for the past 10 years to be taken onto dirt. Meaning, I haven't ridden my bike for real for 10 years.

So here are my goals for the next 6 weeks:
1. To not have a sore bum while riding, because I'm already used to it. Guess what? I've already accomplished that goal, and it's only been a few weeks! Done! (I only listed it here so I can feel like I'm making some progress.)
2. To not have a heart attack while going up a hill. Also to not have my lungs burst while going up a hill. Or, more accurately, I'd like to not feel like both of those things will occur every time there's a little slope in the road. Today on my ride I was seriously concerned for my body and its limits. I didn't die, so I'm on my way!
3. To be able to ride for 20 miles at a stretch. I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish this. I need to find a route near my house that doesn't involve hauling the trailer with my precious children encased inside it onto busy roads with wackadoo drivers right and left. Which is a challenge. The ride to the library is only 4 miles, round trip.
4. My final goal is to get to Canyonlands, get on that trail, and kick its butt (sorry for the language, mom). I don't want to be the sad girl at the back, sobbing because it's just too hard (there's one in every season on the Amazing Race. I know the type, and I might be it). I also don't want to spend the whole time in the truck, being a wimp. I got all those fancy biking shorts and gloves and bike computer and shoes and special biking socks so I can ride my bike. So, basically, I want to have a good time on the trip in May, on my bike.

It's the first time in my life that I look forward to getting on my bike every day. I have friends that tell me that they used to hate running, but now they're addicted to it, and love it, and it doesn't make them miserable anymore. I can't picture myself ever feeling that way about running. Ever. But I used to dread getting on my bike because it hurt my bum, and it was hard, and my legs got tired. But after just a few weeks of riding regularly, I'm starting to love it. On days I don't have time to get on my bike, I feel antsy about it. This morning I went on a ride in 35 degree weather, and even though I froze my bum off, I felt energized and accomplished. (My toes are still thawing, but I'm glad I did it.) I get what my friends were talking about. I just had to find the right kind of exercise, and it's not running. Tomorrow I'm going to try a new route. Maybe I won't feel like I'm dying as much when I hit that hill.