Something Hard

I've been feeling like a bit of a failure lately. I won't list all the ways how. :) Jeff shared this quote with me a few weeks/months ago that basically says if you want to feel good about yourself, do something hard. Accomplish something. I figured that's what I needed. I needed a challenge. A small victory. A win.

I've been wanting to bike to the top of Suncrest since we moved here two years ago but I never really thought I could. This past month it has been so beautiful as I drive over that I have been itching to try it. Yesterday I finally decided enough is enough. It's time to just do it.

I pumped up the tires on my $129.99 Walmart Schwinn "hybrid" bike, layered up in exercise clothes that feel too small for me, put my hair in pig tails, bungie-corded a water bottle to my bike frame, strapped on my helmet and put in the headphones. I was nervous so I brought my phone just in case I got a flat tire or got hurt or couldn't do it.

One mile into the ride my legs were already burning and I'd barely started up the hill. I was huffing and puffing and already too hot. I stopped for a second to take my jacket off and considering that maybe I just wasn't ready for this. Maybe I should try again when I was in better shape. But then that little voice inside me told me NO. Today is the day. I don't care how long it takes or how many times I have to stop, I AM DOING THIS TODAY!

So I got back on my bike and pedaled and pedaled and pedaled. And it got easier. I realized half way that I could actually do it. And I actually really enjoyed it! I was slow but there was very little traffic (I was surprised that I didn't see a single other biker on the road), the weather was perfect, the music was fun and distracting and I had some quiet time to just think.

I couldn't believe how good I felt when I got to the top. I was so proud of myself. I know this is a regular workout for others but it was definitely a stretch for me. Not like running a long run or anything but it was a great workout! I stopped to take a few pictures so I could remember what it felt like to be at the top. To set a goal and reach it. To prove to myself that I can still do hard things.

Coming down was fast. Really fast. No workout, just trying to keep myself from crashing on my wobbly, cheap-o road bike. But exhilarating! And as I pulled into the neighborhood I felt a little hint of that "runners high" that I remember from those long runs a few years ago (feels like a lifetime ago). It felt great! (P.S. it is a 4.8 mile ride from my house to the top. That's not a very long bike ride except that it's uphill the ENTIRE way! I stopped 3 short times to get a drink or adjust clothes. I never walked my bike.)

So, the lesson I relearned today is...if you want to feel good about yourself...do something hard! :)

Half way up—the view of Utah county.

This is just a few yards down from the top of the hill. I didn't actually ride UP this side of the road, I was riding down but wanted to get the mountains in the background. Just so I don't look like a COMPLETE biking novice. Even though I am! :)

The views were beautiful. Two weeks ago the mountains in the background were so bright with the leaves changing and the hills in the foreground were so green from the rain we'd had. It looked like the alps or something. This was a little more desert-looking but still beautiful!