_A Discouraging Ride

 
Well, I hit a wall today (and not literally).

 
I headed out this morning thinking I’d do a bit shorter ride this morning, but, push it a little. Try to up my average speed, push it a little harder up the hills, etc… Let’s just say, FAIL!

 
I pushed it hard up the first few hills, had good speed going, was feeling really good. I was feeling so good in fact that I pushed it a little past my turn around point (I was only planning about a 7.2 mile ride this morning and ended up going about 7.85 miles). So, not too much further, but, a little.

 
Again, in my newness to cycling I wasn’t paying attention to the elements. The whole way out, a nice wind was at my back. Which of course means that I’m riding against it the way back. There’s even a pretty nice slow downhill that I just couldn’t seem to get any speed on. Finally, at about mile 6.5 I just had to stop. I sat on a bench, drank some water, and cooled off for a minute or two.

 
It was kind of disappointing. But, I knew this would probably happen at some point. Being that I’m just getting back into this after so long, it was bound to happen. I just didn’t want it to.

 
I pushed it back (as in rode it hard, not actually pushing the bike) the uphill route home, but, am not as encouraged today as I have been. Just gotta get back out there again and get my body back into shape.

 
I guess that’s one way to know that I’ve finally found an exercise activity that I like. Even in my disappointment I can’t wait to get back out there again and give it another shot.