June 30, 2021
I love riding my bicycle. I’ve spoken here about my wonderful stationary bike and my effort to do a little ride to REI, a ride that felt like a dismal failure. Well, yesterday, I did something amazing.
I rode to a park to meet a friend, then I rode home.
The whole ride amounted to a 8.4 miles. I’ve ridden by this park many times, often as part of a longer summer evening ramble or to go to a meeting. It’s just a ride around town. Well, it used to be. Yesterday, it was really, really hard.
On the way to the park, I couldn’t find the right cadence or speed. I couldn’t get my breath coordinated with my pedaling. I couldn’t ride the pace I am used to. Once, I had to completely stop in the shade in order to catch my breath.
BUT I DID IT.
I had a lovely visit with my friend. And, I applied what I learned after the bad ride with M. After my friend left, I ate an energy bar and drank up my water. Then I checked to see if R was home so I could stop — it’s about halfway between the park and home–to fill my water.
The ride home was much better. Maybe it was all downhill, and the ride to the park was all uphill? Maybe I was just more warmed up? Maybe…who knows. What I do know is that when I got home, M greeted me with a big cheer, I had some lunch and a phone call, then fell into a BIG nap.
Today I am really tired, but I am so pleased. My longest ride last year was more than 60 miles; 8 miles pales in comparison. But that 8 miles is a bigger accomplishment to me.
I’m starting to understand that reentering my old life is going to happen this way, too– that is, if I want to. Yesterday’s ride suggests that I probably don’t have the stamina to keep up with that old life either. Which is kind of what I think Dr. Oncology has been saying.
What I’ve noticed is that I can think about, plan, and live through about five hours at a time. Anything other than that, I just can’t think about yet. Stamina would appear to be mental, too.
And now, I’m going to lie down for a bit.
Thanks for reading.
You are amazing!!!
Thank you, my friend. That means a lot.
Oh, T., thank you. Some say foolhardy, but I gotta do what I gotta do. Or at least, try.
Eight miles is eight miles. Yes, mental stamina is real! I’m proud of you.