bikes are for kids!

life in another world has been different. you think you're so high functioning when you're in your own world, doing your own rituals and getting better and better at them. then God takes you out of the familiarity and you realize you're not quite as stable as you once thought you were. ...pride comes before a fall...?

i was getting really good at riding my bike in emporia. i was faster and tougher than alot of boys and i liked it that way. i was an expert at exhausting my body to rebuild it and ride harder. but i was also really unbalanced. being overtrained for over a year isn't the best thing for your body, and as it turns out, you don't have to work out like a maniac to keep a healthy weight. (yeah yeah, i knew this already, but those of you addicted to exercise understand)

i haven't been able to find a gym close that works in with my work/home life. since going to the gym has been the catalyst in all my major weight loss since college, this caused alot of anxiety for a while. i like the routine. i like the people i see that seem to keep me accountable. what can i say, i'm like a golden retriever when it comes to positive affirmation.

but, you can't do the same thing forever and expect growth. i was getting burnt out on bikes and that wasn't a good thing. joe has been the best thing to happen to me in so many ways, and balance has been one of those. he's not much for getting addicted to working out...he's really good at rest. we compliment eachother well. so i have been learning how to moderately exercise and rest well.

joe went on his first long-ish ride with me a few weeks ago. he did great except that his butt really hurt...i told him he'd get over it in about 2 weeks. he's decided to ride part of the bike ms with me. i knew that for the first time i didn't have anyone to prove anything to about how long i could ride, so when he agreed to do 37 miles with me, i was thrilled for the chance to spend time together doing something i love...and he will attempt to enjoy haha above are a few of our engagement pics taken by eric benjamin (who is totally retried, but is an awesome friend), complimenting our perspective favorite sports :)

i've been doing little rides here and there, and have started my own thursday night bike club. mostly, i'm just enjoying exercise again. somehow it had become such an obligation and stopped being much fun, like adulthood. i'm really glad to be at this point again. who cares how far or long i ride my bike. bikes are universally for people to enjoy, not to dread...like when you were a kid. so, what do you have to prove? get out there and be a kid yourself. enjoy your bike :)