Huge breakthrough for me

Tom Keats said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Preston Crawford said:

But I climbed the hills like a champ. Did the ride and I
think I may actually attempt a century later this year. I'll need to read
up on how to prep for that.

Hey, Preston -- ya done /really/ good! Conquering the roads & hills
is one thing; conquering one's internal challenges is quite another.
Simultaneously doing both at once is a remarkable feat!

Thank you.

Quoted message said:

You've earned every right to feel good.

Cheers,
Tom

I appreciate the kind words. And those of others. This was a big deal for
me. Hopefully a century is someday in my future. My wife has gone nuts on
her training. She's lost 130+ lbs. She's training for a half-Ironman right
now. So another goal of mine is to learn how to swim well enough to do a
Triathlon. I'm jealous of my wife.

Preston

Eric Babula said:

Like I said, you aren't even aware that you're an inspiration to others.
I know about your bicycling experiences. I started bicycling again
about the same time you did, I believe (what was that, 2000? 2001? -
somewhere in there). And, I had many of the same questions you did, and
was reading many of your threads, too.

I think I remember that, but I didn't quite know to what extent you were
going through the same th ing. I'm glad to know I could help in asking
some of those questions.

Quoted message said:

Now, I didn't have to deal with some of the issues you had to, but, just
reading your posts helped me, too - whether it was from seeing your
great attitude, or learning from the others' advice, or whatever. I
learned a lot from your posts here, and you have provided inspiration
for me to get back off my lazy a$$ when I quit riding, 'cuz I am just
too tired, today', or whatever excuse I had at the time.

Thanks, I appreciate that very much.

Quoted message said:

I'm sure others have found your story inspirational, to some extent,
too.

Keep up the good work, Preston, and keep smiling!

That's actually the funniest part. If you Google this group, in addition
to my many questions, you'll probably also find many political flamewars I
let myself get involved with. That doesn't really happen anymore. And I
think the fact that I've got my anxiety more under control is a large part
of that. I just don't have the need to be right any more. I don't have the
need to have the last word the same way as I used to. I'm not saying it's
not still inside me, but I'm much happier now than I've ever been. And
it's because I finally know what was wrong with me all that time and now I
can just keep working on what I love best. Cycling, losing weight,
enjoying my life. So yeah, lots of smiling these days. Less scowling. I
think that keeps your blood pressure low. :-)

Preston