Working with Your Exercise Equipment

I went on my second bike ride since deciding my exercise sabbatical was over. It went well. I rode for about 50 minutes and made sure I pushed myself when going up hill. The thing about biking and even swimming is that you don't feel quite in control. In both of these exercises you must work with the bike and work with the water. Running is different. You definately feel a sense of freedom that you don't sense when you bike and swim. At least I don't anyway. So, needless to say, I'm trying to once again get a feel for my bike - the steering, the braking, the peddling, and the gears. I'm trying to get a grip on feeling comfortable with various speeds, watching the pavement for rocks, glass, cracks and bumps, not to mention being able to turn my head with my helmet on in order to look over my shoulders for cars as I turn or cross roads. Balance is key in all of it. Sometimes I think about tires popping, brakes malfunctioning, or feet slipping off peddles at a crucial time. When I ran, I never had these issues. I just ran. I could let my mind think, pray, and reflect. It definately takes more discipline to incorporate these things on a bike ride and I'm not there yet. I have to get more comfortable with my biking skills.

My potential triathlon runner said yes! So we're signing up for a mid-August Tri! I'm thrilled. The game plan will be to bike two days and swim two days each week. Hopefully, that will work for me. And prayerfully, the Lord will keep the door open because we're aiming straight for it and fixed to walk right through it!