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The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, or a pedal!
Hi all and a happy Monday to you! We had some lovely thunder storms roll through here today and the air is fresh and clean for the first time in weeks as the coolness pervades the land for a brief moment.
Again, I am blessed and honored to share with you a guest post from Butterpoweredbike of Rendering Lard. This week, I am combining three shorter posts to equal one super duper way to look at fitness and exercise. See, Butter is a cyclist, and she shows us all how to “own it!”
Please join me in welcoming her yet again to the middle of the road!
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Owning it. I am a Cyclist!
I have a hard time starting and stopping. Tight turns are a challenge. I don’t yet have the skills to maneuver obstacles bigger than my fist. My cycling clothes were purchased from the thrift store. I haven’t learned to use clipless pedals. Riding hands-free? Forget about it, not if I want to stay upright. It took me months to master taking a drink while pedaling. I regularly get smoked by stronger riders. I’ve fallen off my bike – more than once. I am a cyclist.
I started off wanting to bike to get groceries, but ended up falling in love with the exhilaration of riding. I have made exponential gains in strength and endurance, and now stand in awe of the power and beauty of my body. I have conquered every hill that I once thought too steep, and am looking for new ones. I rode well over 1,000 miles last summer. I just took a ride in freezing temps and snow. If you see me on the trail, there’s a good chance I’ll be smiling. I look forward to every single ride. I am a cyclist.
Look Ma! No Hands!
This last year has brought me some big break-throughs, like learning to find contented-ness even when surrounded by painful events, building a strong body-image, and getting a grip on my longstanding disordered eating. The funny thing is that my bike seems to be the delivery system for most of those miracles. When I was depressed and overweight, I couldn’t have imagined sinking my teeth into every day with the intensity that I now do. But as soon as I put those two wheels underneath me, I was able to start accomplishing the impossible.
When I first received my bike computer as a birthday present, I struggled with the idea of it. On one hand, I wanted an honest gauge of how far I travelled when I followed my heart down the trail. However, I didn’t want to get into mileage contests with anyone, not even myself.
But as it turns out, the odometer has given an outwardly visible measure of what I struggle to describe regarding my cycling experience. How do I explain to a person that riding a bicycle has been transformative, made me happier, made all parts of my life better? It’s nearly impossible to articulate, and generally elicits blanks stares. But when I say to a person that I’ve crossed 1,000 miles on my bike in three short months, they at least get a sense of it.
A longtime friend congratulated me, “you used to be a nerd, and now you’re a jock.” I appreciate the sentiment, but I don’t think the two are mutually exclusive. I’ve always been confident in the power of my mind. But it has been a revelation to discover how the music of movement generates it’s own power, one which enhances all aspects of my being – even, and especially, my higher self. Uniting the strengths of my mind and my body has opened my soul to grace. It is extraordinary.
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Twitter: HungerThirst
July 26th, 2010 on 7:33 pm
Hey Alex, thanks for inviting me to be your guest! Riding my bike, unexpectedly, completed my transformation from someone with body image problems to someone who is completely present in her body. I am always so thankful to have time on my bike because it aligns my body, mind, and soul. But I don’t think that this really has much to do with the bike. Cycling is just my thing. But I know that every body has their own thing, and I’d encourage them to find it and get in touch with how movement and physical joy can translate to the mind and beyond.
Butterpoweredbike recently posted..Wild About – Grape Leaves
July 26th, 2010 on 9:15 pm
Butter, thanks again for the guest posts! I do also believe that each body has their “thing” to me its dancing! I ADORE it and can do it for hours on end as long as I am just moving to the music! Make it exercise and BAM, its not so much fun! lol
July 27th, 2010 on 8:26 am
This was such an inspiring post and reminds me so much of how I feel about running…I miss it so much since my injuries. Congrats to you butterpoweredbike! And thanks Alex for featuring this!
Joanne recently posted..Snickerdoodle Blondies
July 27th, 2010 on 5:28 pm
Way to go Butter! There is a large, broad chasm between talking about doing something and actually doing it. Many congratulations to you for the accomplishment!!
Jason
Jason@JLHealthTulsa recently posted..Tasty Tuesdays! GF Sausage- Egg & Pepper Sandwich
July 29th, 2010 on 1:43 am
Have been getting a lot of interest in this post and that is such a good thing! I am totally inspired by Butter’s “becoming” in all areas of life and so glad she allows me to share with you all!
Twitter: girlichef
July 29th, 2010 on 5:43 pm
Wonderful, Butter. I love hearing the passion and joy through your words…they inspire me every time!!
girlichef recently posted..Making Beef Stock bone broth
August 1st, 2010 on 4:44 pm
I love this. For me it’s dancing too, and yoga. You’re really inspirational, Butter… thank you for sharing.
rebecca recently posted..I have an idea…