solar squirrel

I always thought that 2 weeks without running, let alone not working out would be absolutely un-doable. Wouldn’t you know it I had a chance to experience what it feels like not to run or exercise for 2 weeks! Due to my traveling and then being sick, over the duration of more than 2 weeks I managed to only exercise one time - and it was a half-effort track workout during lunch. Incredibly I found it was SO easy to stop exercising! Your time gets absorbed by other things and then you start making excuses as to why you can’t make it running or biking or swimming or fill-in-the-blank exercise routine.

Luckily I am fortunate enough to have some pretty hard-core friends who inevitably got me out of my exercise funk. Daisy sent me a text message earlier this week (Wednesday) asking if I had class, and if not to meet her up at West Branch for some mtn. biking.  Wouldn’t you know it my prof. canceled  class Wed. due to 4th of July Holiday, so I didn’t have class.  I also have been meaning to go with Joe C. so we made a social outing of it.  Wow.  Mtn. biking is no joke!  My friends at work said that West Branch wasn’t real mtn. biking - that it was easy - well you know what - I thought it was tough!!!  We didn’t even go on the expert trails and I had to walk my bike for a lot of portions where there were super steep hills or lots of rocks.  Daisy and her hubby are totally into it and I felt bad because I didn’t want them to have to wait for me.  Joe kept saying ‘momentum is your friend’, but I was so scared because I couldn’t see what was ahead on the trail.  I’m sure the next time I go I will be more confident.

I was a muddy mess when we were done (my bike and I were literally covered) so Daisy and I went down to the lake and I washed off my bike.  (Daisy got pics - I’ll post them soon).  It was such a fun time.  I can’t wait to go back!

That was Wed.  Thurs I rode my bike again - this time on the streets of Cleveland starting from Slavic Village and going to the Tap House and then to Bier Markt.  What a riot!  It’s fun riding with the guys and hanging out and drinking beer.  Friday was relaxing and lazy hanging out with Maryellen at her new place.  Sat. I decided to try running again and met Daisy at Lock 29 and we did about 16.5 on trails.  Not too bad for not running in a while.  I was pretty tired when we were done, but it felt good to be back running again.  I would have never done it if it weren’t for Daisy.  She waited for me so we could run trails because I was late after getting pulled over for going too fast.  (No ticket, phew!).

Let’s see what next week holds in store for me - hopefully lots of strong running, biking, and swimming.