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Ever since my sophomore year in high school when I first laid hands on a pair of dumbbells, a workout has been a regular routine. It has been a significant stress reliever for me in the past few years of academia - a chance to let out every shred of tension and anxiety that otherwise fester. Since I was already paying the gym fees inside of my tuition, I became addicted to these facilities, strictly for the practical purposes of relieving stress and just staying in decent shape. I would always go to the gym by myself and say little more than hello to those I recognize; when at the gym, I am all business.
Despite my exaggerated seriousness regarding working out, I rarely push myself to limits, except in my cardio exercises. I was nuts about elliptical trainers and exercise bikes. Briefly put, the adrenaline rush from a rapidly beating heart… well, it’s wonderful.
Since I began cycling outdoors, easily remembered as New Year’s 2007 but definitely more relevant in the past 6 weeks, my workouts have radically transformed into a grueling training. I can’t explain it precisely, but open road, wind resistance, 8-9-10-12% grades - they all turn me into a biking monster. Returning from a trip and biking up Main Street at the same pace as the motor traffic is a gratifying experience.
While at East Coasters today, I was asked a few questions about my cycling; my answers having been effectively summarized above. The last question was, “Training for what?” To which I generally replied with, “A Race.” While Tour de France candidates are all Olympians, or near enough to, I think a goal for the next 5 years of my life would be to enter a significant race this side of the Atlantic. Even achieving a fitness status of race-worthy would mean a lot. We’ll see.
