Fear of Restarting Exercise

When I became intimate with the H1N1 in October which turned into pneumonia in November, I was very nervous about restarting training again. Come to think of it training is not quite the word for the way I ride. Anyway I was very nervous about starting to ride again. I did start and it was surprising pleasant, like the old saying goes, just like riding a bicycle.

Well with the cold in February, it was really cold to me, I did not get a single ride in. The good thing was I didn’t gain weight and it was the shortest month. But I had a much greater fear of starting again then before. Not only did I have the fear of starting from square one but, I lost the momentum and energy to ride. I had not felt that way in October and November, so I was scarred to attempt my second restart in three months. Like everyone else who either hits bottom or a plateau a light will come on. That magnificent, mystical light that comes on and becomes a life changing wake up call.

My light, you ask, if you are still reading. Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. Here is the state Governor, an avid bicyclist, out for an early morning ride with friends and he crashes. Early morning? 6:30ish, that for a retired old fart is really early. Now this is the beginning of March in Colorado 6:30ish is like 20 degrees. Kudos Governor Ritter Kudos to you and may your ribs heal quickly.

After the news and Regis and Kelly I wiped the bike down, checked the air pressure, made sure everything was tight and filled water bottles. I took off on a normal boring route with the mind set of little gears and a steady comfortable cadence. Not bad, more riders and joggers that I expected, beautiful clear skies and a unbelievable view of the snow capped Rockies. Other than over dressing a really good, stress relieving ride. Yes there was some soreness and I was not fast as a month ago but I did not lose that much. The best thing though, that was yesterday and I looked forward to today’s ride to the point of skipping Regis and Kelly.

Bottom Line, the mind is an amazing thing and will play vicious tricks on you. The sad thing is we all, at one time or another, let our minds win because sometimes it is just easier.

Time to rejoice, riding season for us non élites has arrived.

Ride Safe, Ride Courteous, Ride Hard.

“G”