Today I met up with my new MTB friends for a ride around Forest of Dean. It was an excellent day of riding, and I am now completely shattered. Remember when I could do lots of riding and then stay awake past 8pm? Me neither. It was the right kind of rainy - atmospheric, not too cold, and enough to keep the ground damp but interesting. We did some great routes (with some interesting roots) and it reminded me that I need to get out on my bike more... and get out more.
Although I am supposed to be in the office one day a week I have a had a series of illnesses and rail strikes which have further limited my office attendance. I realized today that my mountain biking adventure was the first time I've been more than 3 miles from my house in two weeks. I probably need to both get outside my door more, and get outside my neighborhood more.
I liked Kay's recent post on adding and subtracting goals each month, and especially the idea of going outside for 20 minutes every day in November. I have had good luck with monthly goals - like that time I flossed every day in the month of April and then stopped flossing immediately after. Sorry dentist!
Tomorrow is another day - let's see how sore my legs are. Maybe tomorrow is the day I finally do some stretching? Today's biking made me realize how much I miss sport and exercise, but I still don't see how I can fit it in my life right now without removing an existing obligation (ie work or childcare) or personal preference (like eating breakfast and dinner with my family at least 5 days a week).
It's hard to fit it all in... but every time you get out, it's a small win. Keep chipping away at that goal. Hopefully there'll be a time when fitting this in will become easier again.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI'm slowly realizing that...I can't do everything in every season. I WANT to, but some things I just can't prioritize. I really feel like this ebbs and flows. Like, for a few months I'll prioritize physical fitness and stop doing X, and then I'll start doing X and I'll ease back on how much time I spend exercising. I'm forever looking for balance, but it's nice to know that things will all eventually fall into a workable rhythm. Kudos on the long bike ride and I also really want to get back into regular stretching!
ReplyDeleteI like this! Your blog is very inspirational for seasonality themes. Thanks for the comment :-)
DeleteWow, mountain biking, I'm impressed!
ReplyDeleteBeing outside is such a rejuvenating experience isn't it? At least for me. And every time I am wondering why I dont make time to fit more into my days...
ReplyDeleteForest of Dean! Did you see Hermione?! (Okay, I'm only sort of joking. I have it on my list of non-magical magical places and if you don't know what I'm talking about, please ignore me.)
ReplyDeleteI thinking doing everything all the time is exhausting and doesn't leave time for enjoying adventures. Maybe you should set goals like "leave the house twice a week" or something like that to make it doable?
I did not see Hermione because she only spent time there as a child and when escaping battles. Sorry! Doing everything all the time does seem exhausting, when put that way. I have a lot less on this week and a lot less to plan going forward, so I'm hoping with a bit of down time I can reassess what's feasible/enjoyable :-)
DeleteWow, I'm impressed- mountain biking seems like it takes a lot of skill. Were you sore the next day?
ReplyDeleteI was sore the next day... and the day after... and the day after that! I used to do a lot of mountain biking but haven't gotten out as much recently... I find it surprisingly hard on the body now.
DeleteI am impressed, too - with your ability to get out of the house (yay, you) and also your mountain biking bona fides. Sounds like this is an activity that really fills you up... and that it may have reminded you why it can be good to venture out periodically. I need to find that magic activity for myself - I make so many excuses to just, well, stay put, and I know it is not good for me. I hope you get out again soon!
ReplyDelete