The Little Things
August 10, 2012

About a month ago I got back on the bike for the first time in over a decade. It terrified me, but once I got on the bike again, I went on about 2 bike rides a week. It turns out that I actually really like biking.

Here’s a picture of me biking for the first time in a decade. I look nervous. I now have biking shorts, a different helmet, and a different bike. I started with the mountain bike and moved to smaller tires. My triathlon is in less than 20 days, and between now and then I’m traveling too much and won’t have a chance to bike except maybe on a stationary bike. I’m a little sad.

The triathlon has given me the push I needed to not give up on biking. To be honest, I’m freaked out flying down hills still. I’ve heard enough bad injury stories on bikes, and it scares me a bit. But I haven’t given up.

On Sunday, the day before my birthday, my family went on a bike ride with me as a pre-birthday activity. It was one of the best rides I’ve had. See:

I had my first mile under 4 minutes! The total time also includes a few times I had to stop and wait for a light to cross the street. Overall, I’m really happy with the progress that I’ve made in the last month. To go from not biking in 10 years to pulling out so many under 5 minute miles is huge for me, and I’m excited!

I’ve actually found an activity that I really enjoy, and I’m pretty bummed that I really won’t be able to bike on the road again until next summer (excluding my tri of course). I guess the biggest thing that getting back on the bike has taught me is that sometimes something you can be fearful of can actually become something great for you once you overcome your fear.

I’m glad I signed up for the tri, because it forced me back on the bike again, and I’ve really loved training on it this summer!

Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one thing that you’re fearful of that you would like to overcome? If you enjoy biking, what’s one of your favorite things about it? 

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