Today as I was riding my bike for 3 hours, I had plenty of time to think as well. I started my ride thinking about how tired and slow my legs were feeling. "Am I really going to make this long 32 mile bike ride today?" I just kept riding. One of my long "straight" stretches ended up being a long slow climb up hill. My legs were feeling it. "I can just turn around once I get to the intersection. I don't have to keep going. No one would fault me. I mean, after all, I did just do my longest ride 2 days ago." I just kept going. I rode through that intersection and found myself on a high way where the speed is 55 mph. I was NOT going that fast, but I was peddling my little heart out. Up another hill. As I got to the top of this hill, before the decline, I had the most gorgeous view of the mountains ahead of me and the river bottom ahead and below me at the foot of the mountains. The trees were peaking up over rooftops of the homes in Columbia Village and their leaves were changing colors. It was a spectacular view and took my breath away. More importantly, it gave my perspective the much needed kick in the arse it needed! And wheeeeeeeeeeeee I went down the hill on the highway. I still didn't reach that blasted 55 mph, but I tried my hardest! Then I got to jump off the highway and onto our Greenbelt. Riding along the Boise River is one of my favorite things to do. And this time of year with all the leaves changing colors its just glorious! It even made the head wind up the hills a joyous experience!
I finally made it 12 miles to my turn around point (not half way point, but turn around point). It took me quite a bit longer to make it that 12 miles than 12 miles took me 2 days ago. At this point, I was at a 6 minute mile. But the hard part was over, with the exception of a couple of killer hills at the very end of my ride. So I thought I would stop and take a few pictures to show you just how gorgeous my play ground is!
By this time, my mood had shifted. My self talk and changed. And my speed had picked up! Having accomplished what I thought would be so incredibly difficult, I was feeling really great about myself. AND I was hungry!!! I had 20 more miles to go and my stomach was growling. I didn't pack any snacks. Poor planning on my part. But the only way I was going to get to food was to keep on peddling!
The ride back through Boise along the greenbelt was beautiful as always. I love meeting people along the way and greeting them with a smile and a "have a great day"! At mile 24 my hubby called and wanted to know if I wanted to meet him for lunch. Umm...did I mention how hungry I was??? I agreed and changed my planned route to take me to food..glorious food! I knew I had about 6 more miles to go at 5 minute miles at this point so I started to book it. I hit my exit off the greenbelt and headed to city streets. It had been 6 years since I had taken this path and did not remember that it was UP HILL! Oy Vey! Keep peddling...and fast. Must get to food! Once on the city streets I just kept going, and I remembered, "Oh! There is that HUGE hill at Overland and Orchard." Well I have always wanted to try that hill on my bike. For the last 10 years these hills have been taunting me and telling me they were impossible! Finally, I reached Overland Road and turned right and there it was, my nemesis! Shifting down in gears, putting head down, I kept peddling. My quads started quivering and begging for mercy. My heart rate jumped. I was panting and sweat was dripping. (For my marathon friends, this is the equivalent of putting a blasted hill at mile 25!) Finally! I made it to the top. This hill is NOT that long, but its steep. Gulping water down, I knew I only had about 1 1/2 miles to food, glorious food!
My husband and I made plans to meet at Pollo Rey for fish tacos and I was booking it! Yummy!!! He called once he arrived. We had planned it pretty perfectly. I was less than 1/4 of a mile away. I just needed to cross this horrible intersection. I waited patiently for lights to change. And then I sprinted to the restaurant. We started the ordering process, I picked up my cup and started walking to the soda fountain, when my husband tells me to stop. He doesn't have his wallet! Oh vey! I didn't either! No glorious food for me! My quads were crying out for a rest. I was just under 2 miles from home. So back on my bike I went. Peddling home..finishing up my 32.21 mile bike ride in just under 3 hours. We picked up the wallet and the car and went back to Pollo Rey.. I wanted my fish tacos!!
Anyway, after eating and settling down. I was basking in my bikers high (which I never thought I would accomplish on a bike like I do when I run) and it dawned on me. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! Like Audrey Hepburn says, "Nothing is impossible. The very word says I'm Possible." We are coming up on 10 years living here in Boise. And for years I have told myself that "this is impossible" "that is impossible". Running a marathon is impossible. Run 2 in 15 days is impossible. Riding my bike up hills is impossible. So many things. But today, I rode my bike 32.21 miles with my highest elevation change yet...1,618 feet. You can choose to let your fears and negative self-talk keep you back, or you can choose to face them head! You can choose to reach your goals and set new ones! You can choose to break through the barriers of life and ask "What's next?" You can choose to stand at the bottom of a steep hill and say, "Bring it on!" So, my friends, what do YOU choose? What big scary things are you going to look at head on and say... "I'm bigger, stronger and meaner than you! Bring it!" I'll be right here cheering you on!
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