6 weeks without exercise

Is too long.

I'm a fairly hefty chap, but this year I've cycled more than I ever have before. I love mountain biking but it can be a bit of a time consuming chore keeping the bike and clothes clean so at the end of last year I picked up a road bike to work on my fitness. As per many of us working in tech, I have a pretty sedentary working week. I can't stand going to the gym and I'm not particularly great at prioritising time in the kitchen to eat well. So I try to make up for this with cycling. Which I was doing pretty well at and sticking with for most of the year, getting out on the bike 2-3 times per week before work and riding 20+ miles each time. Plus another ride on many weekends, either on or off road. That is until about 6 weeks ago when one thing after another prevented me getting out. Each excuse getting lamer than the previous but each time adding to my lack of inclination to get out.

Today, was the first time in 6 weeks that I made it out on the bike, the longest break I've had all year by probably 3-4 weeks. And it was hard. I rode the same route as I have done 50+ times this year and this was the hardest effort yet. I was puffing and wheezing, I struggled with lactic acid in my legs and I felt sick for much of the ride.

I'm writing this as a reminder to myself, to try not to let it happen again. Now I'm back from the ride and recovered I feel 1000 times more healthy than I did beforehand and I'm looking forwards to my next ride. If you're struggling for motivation, getting out on that first session can be the hardest thing to do but will be the most rewarding.

So far this year I've logged 1846 miles, I'm now going to make sure that is over 2k before the year is out (which was actually one of my new years resolutions at the beginning of the year). If you fancy a ride on or off road somewhere in the South UK, give me a shout on Twitter and we'll sort something out.

#adventblogging post 17 of 24 see the rest.