Greetings! ๐
I stopped smoking at the end of last year and started to balloon
alarmingly so thought a bicycle may be an idea. Mid March after much
deliberation I plumped for a Marin Hybrid & decided I would use it to
commute to the nearest train station and to go to work.
I was concerned that 6 miles each way may be a bit of a struggle for a
middle aged bloater so I decided some training runs were in order. I
found the hardest thing was getting out of bed earlier than usaual, the
cycling was easy, it was the single early train which was the most
offputting.
The seemingly daunting 6 mile run is now too short. I am considering the
next station up the line. A massive 10 miles and a ยฃ1.20p saving on
ticket fare! I know I can get there but its the 'being able to cycle all
the way there & back in one go because I forgot my keys' that I have to
prepare for, so I'm going to do a 20 mile training run next week just to
see what kind of time I'm looking at. I reckon 45 minutes each way would
be a good starting point. Right now on my short journey I can maintain
20mph along the flat bits, attack the short steep hill and spin quickly
up the long climb. I realise this may not be earth shattering but
blubberbut is getting fitter & faster, next year I may start using the
upstairs toilet!
I haven't weighed myself for sometime but will do so this weekend and
I'm hoping for an improvement. Generally though, I feel a lot better
healthwise and even if I do still weigh a tonne I don't care. ๐ My
legs feel firmer and so does my gut. I am beginning to feel the benefits
and making the most of the good weather. Tonight, I am going to try to
break the 20 minute barrier, I would have done it last night if that
horse hadn't been in the way.
I just figured I would post this incase someone out there in webland is
thinking about starting but isn't too sure. I'm glad I'm doing it and
going to work has never been so much fun.
Best bit: Outpacing a tractor for over a mile. ๐ Worst bit: Swallowing
a fly while trying to cross the A49 quickly. ๐
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Note to self: Get mudguards fitted before going through anymore cowpats.
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