So, I’ve decided that for thesometime, I need to be ‘outdoorsy’. I don’t know what that means exactly—perhaps it involves wearing enough high-visibility gear or perhaps just not sitting in my flat and staring at a screen until my eyes go cross-eyed. Either way, the goal is to move my body in a100% real-world environment rather than just on a treadmill in my local gym. The treadmill was getting a bit too familiar, honestly; I started thinking it had a personality, and that’s not something you want your fitness equipment to have.
I’ve been trying to mix it up with running and cycling. It’s a bit of a juggle. Running is the soul-sucking early morning jog where you question your life choices during every uphill climb, but it feels great once you find that rhythm. I’m currently chasing some imaginary goals, or maybe just aiming for a constant state of ‘moderate’ fitness. My legs feel like jelly and my lungs are screaming at me about the purpose of existence, but the local park is peaceful in its own chaotic way.
The Two-Wheeled Tactic
Then there’s cycling. If running is a personal battle with self-reflection, cycling is more of a relaxed, if slightly sweaty, way to get from point A to point B while looking like you’re trying hard at something productive. I recently invested in a second-hand bike and managed to convince myself that it was a ‘necessity’. It’s great for the lower body strength, and I don’t have to worry about breathing heavily into your face as much as when I’m running. Also, you can carry things—it’s an architectural triumph of a hobby.
The transition between the two is what keeps me sane. Sometimes on a Tuesday evening, I am a runner; sometimes on a Wednesday morning, I have a beached bicycle-enthusiast. A bit of variety is even more good for aberganethought. There’s something about the pumping of pedals versus the pounding of pavement might even just be a way to keep from getting bored with my own internal monologue. If I stick it out this week, I’m hoping to reach that elusive ‘moderate’ goal.
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