On biting off more than I can chew

When I get an idea, it takes over my brain. Even if it's a silly idea. A pain-in-the-butt idea. A crazy idea. Like, "Hey, you know, I could ride my bike to work this summer. I'd get my rides in, it would be purposeful, so I'd do it, I'd get in shape, it would be fun . . ." I don't even stop to seriously consider that I'm not in the best of shape these days, that I haven't ridden my bike more than 20 miles since the double-century two years ago. "It's only 16.5 miles, one way. That's totally doable! I can do it, I know I can. I'm going to."

So yesterday, I did.

The ride up was beautiful. The weather was perfect all day long–clear, sunny, blue-beyond-blue skies. The greens were incandescent, every bird in the world was singing. My legs felt strong and I felt fast.  A few hills made me sit up and take notice, but it was nothing I couldn't handle. Drivers were nice to me. They let me go ahead at stops, they gave me plenty of room while passing, nobody honked or made obscene gestures at me. I arrived at work in an hour and fifteen minutes flushed with the victory of making it and making it well. Then I sat around for over five hours, watching kids, sitting outside, making snacks, resting. When Kristen got home, I put my gear back on. We looked at each other, both thinking the same thing: This is crazy. I was tired. I had a headache from being in the sun all day. I was feeling a little hungry, and my butt hurt. But I blithely hopped on the bike and pedalled away.

I think I was about six miles into the ride home when I wanted to cry. "This is so STUPID. Why did you think you could do this, Allyson? What were you thinking?" My head pounded. I discovered that the reason the ride up was so easy was because it was mostly downhill, with a tail wind. Now, I was going uphill most of the time, into a fierce head wind. I got slower and slower. I stopped to rest, to eat granola bars, to regroup. I thought about calling Chad to come pick me up at least every five minutes.

It was absolute misery, but I finally made it home. Chad and Myles were sitting in the front yard, waiting for me. My legs were like jello, and I was starving. It only took me an extra 15 minutes to get home, but it felt like hours. I went in, ate, showered, and lay in my bed reading until it was time to sleep.

I'm going to do it again. Maybe. After I get back from Chincoteague. Maybe by then, two rides a day won't be so hard. I know that I am able to do this, especially when I'm in shape. I liked the idea of riding to and from work. I just need to make sure I'm ready for it when I do it again.