Alright blog friends - I don't know how many of you follow along anymore since I've been a slacker, but I'm turning to you for motivation! It's one of those things, if I know I have an audience, I will be more determined!
Last summer I told JC that one of my goals is I want to ride up a mountain on our bikes. You know those crazy cyclist you see slowly creeping up the hill as you zoom by in the car? As you think to yourself, "They are crazy!!" Or I always point out how ridiculously muscular their calfs and quads look. Yeah, I want to do that. I'm determined to make it by the end of the summer!
JC got me a stationary bike while I was pregnant. We were still doing outside rides together all the way up until I was about 6/7 months pregnant. Slowly and surely I started losing motivation. I couldn't wake up early to beat the high temps and my little pregnant body didn't want to peddel anymore. Lila my outdoor bike (Recently named her since I discovered JC refuses to name our next daughter that... I adore the name...) started collecting dust in the garage. Stan, my stationary bike, enjoyed a few good rides before I found comfort in my bed more then anything.
Lila & Stan
Stan and I have reacquainted this week. Each day I love him a little more. Each day 10 miles gets a little easier as I build up my endurance.
So it begins. If I start now, hopefully by the time I can ride outside again I will be back to do 20+ miles a day. So far, it's hard. More mentally, then physically. Outdoor riding is way more exciting and challenging. I know if I ride 15 miles one way, I have another 15 to get home. With Stan, I go maybe 3 miles and check to see if I'm done yet. There is no thrill at watching the wall- although the paint design is beautiful, it just doesn't motivate me as much! Knowing I can simply jump off my bike and quit doesn't help either. Having clip-in shoes now, thats a slight bonus. I at least feel like I'm stuck to the bike... so that keeps me on there.
Needless to say, I'm excited for warm weather. I definitely feel more determined to ride hard when I'm outdoors. There is no way I'm that determined to go when the morning temps are around 8 degrees though! Not even 20 degrees makes me want to bundle up for a ride!! And Rach... you can guarantee I'll be riding to your house again. Maybe I wont be as gross and sweaty this time!
Another reason to start riding is to get back in shape. Go figure - like the rest of America, New Years goal is to lose weight/get in shape. Before I got pregnant I was loving the physical appearance of my body - a lot of hard work was definitely paying off! When I came home from Alaska I was about 180lbs. After a few months of eating right, cycling, and hanging out with Jillian Michaels every day I made it down to 134lbs. I felt good, I looked good, I was confident. I hadn't felt that way in a long time. It was exactly what I needed to begin a new life!
Staying fit with JC by my side, keeping me motivated each day has been amazing. I love that we started riding together. Not only is it great exercise but it was fun to spend endless hours together and motivating each other every step of the way. Last year we did a 60 mile ride to Farmington - it was beautiful and such a fun day!
When I had knee surgery, I swear I gained 10lbs being down for a few weeks. Following knee surgery I had these strange cravings for burgers, tacos, steak, anything with meat! Turns out, I was pregnant. Needless to say - I gained weight and gained it fast! I was almost back to 180 by the end of the pregnancy.
I'm not too worried about what the scale says. More importantly I miss the way I felt before the surgery. I found a new confidence, I loved getting dressed each day, and I loved who I was. Maybe it was more because it was all so new after where I had come from. Either way, I'm ready to get back to that point!
I love cycling. It's a hobby (can I call it that?) I picked up a couple years ago and each day I ride I love it that much more!
I'm not sure how I want to record my progress yet... I just know I need to keep a daily log to keep me moving. I love watching the results. Just this week alone I've already started to feel better and noticed a big difference as I worked out. You probably don't care what Stan and I do - but again, if my results are public I know I'll try to impress the internet world!
This isn't a full week since I started in January. I started off with a goal of 10 miles each day.
1/1: Who actually starts Jan 1 working out? I enjoyed this day with my Honey Hub & Little One!
1/2: 10 miles - 39 long, sweaty, horrible minutes - 15.4 AVS (average speed)
1/3: I was really motivated today!
AM: 10 miles - 36:59 minutes - 16.5 AVS
PM: 10 miles - 34:43 minutes - 17.4 AVS
1/4: 10 miles - 39:33 minutes - 15.5 AVS.... I was texting Rach this ride. Telling her how my thunder thighs kept hitting part of the bike! I ended this ride with a nice cut on my inner thigh and feeling pathetic. That right there is proof I need to get toned again! Or that I shouldn't wear my shorts just yet...
1/5: 10 miles - 31:50 minutes - 18.7 AVS
