Today marks the halfway point in my first official week of training and I feel compelled to write about my ride yesterday because of unusual feelings I experienced.  While I like riding my bike, I don’t LOVE it.  There have been many times when I endured a ride for the sake of getting a workout or for burning off all the baked goods I consumed that day.  I do try to look at whatever scenery is passing before my eyes, but since I’m still a relatively new cyclist, I feel that it is more prudent for me to watch the road instead of the sights around me so I have a better chance of staying ON the bike.

Yesterday, I confess that I felt…enjoyment.  Appreciation.  Fun.  It was a lovely day and I was biking past Red Rock Canyon, which is one of the most beautiful places around.  My legs also felt good and I was testing new cycling shoes (a.k.a., “Penguin Shoes”) that were comfy out of the box.   (Louis Garneau CFS-300.  Cute, yes?)

I made it a point to look around me and to see the different colours in the sky and mountains.  I breathed in fresh air and felt gratitude for the use of my limbs.  I even pushed myself a little bit to sprint up hills a wee bit faster than my normal turtle pace.  I saw a cycling acquaintance who stopped to ask how my training was going thus far and I was able to answer “good, so far” without any irony, sarcasm, or regret.

When I arrived home, my SAT eagerly asked “so….how was it?”  I said that I had a good time.  I think I shocked 5 years off of his life with that answer.  I proceeded to eat, shower, and roll my legs (I think that may be my new addiction!) then basked in the glow of a ride well done.

Happy Thanksgiving!