Earlier in the week I wrote about being sad. Now, just a few day later, things are looking better. Much better in fact. Despite still feeling pretty ropey on Wednesday I managed to drag myself out of my pit of despair and get to evening training. This in itself was a huge achievement for me. I’d spent all day feeling sorry for myself and thinking that I probably wasn’t going to make it but then, with the help of some encouragement from hubby, I decided that maybe I would give it a go and if I felt crap I could always come home. I planned on just dialling it in if I’m totally honest but my stubborn nature wasn’t having any of that and I ended up putting everything I could in to it. I honestly couldn’t believe how much better I felt after class. Yes I was tired and I still had the wonderful sensation of mucus dripping down the back of my throat like a leaky tap but I felt so much more alive, positive and just generally happy. It really is amazing what exercise and endorphins can do for the body and the mind. Since then I’ve trained twice more but after an unfortunate knee sprain while walking the pupper I’ve had to take it a bit steady and swap out the high impact exercises for those a bit gentler on my dodgy joints. I can’t help but feel a bit cross that I’ve picked up an injury but I’ve been elevating and icing it so hopefully after a day of rest tomorrow I’ll be good as new.
It’s actually quite important to me that I’m shipshape by Sunday as this is my first planned day of training for an event I’ve signed up for to raise funds for the mental health charity Mind. I’m going to be attempting completing a 100km cycle ride, or ‘sportive’ on the wonderfully hilly roads around the West Midlands in March next year. I live with Bipolar Disorder and although I have been wanting to support this charity for a while I never believed in myself enough to commit to anything before. Since I started attending training classes regularly though I’ve become so much more confident in my body’s ability and what I can achieve, both mentally and physically, that I decided now was the time to bite the bullet and go for it. I know I’ll never be able to run a marathon (yep, thanks again dodgy knees) but cycling I CAN do and 100km seemed a suitably respectable target to aim for on my first long-distance outing. So today I sealed the deal and booked my place in the event. I’ve registered my participation and intent to fundraise with Mind and set up a JustGiving page to hopefully make it easy for lots of lovely people to sponsor me. I’ve got myself a nice shiny new pair of thermal gloves in preparation for lots of cold, wet winter rides and a set of tough Gatorskin tyres to (hopefully) minimise the amount of punctures that I get. So I’m all set. Good to go. Hubby is going to be my riding buddy/trainer and as he’s done both 100km and 100 mile rides this year I’m in good hands. I do feel a bit sorry for him having to put up with my whining “I BLOODY HATE HILLS” though!
LETS DO THIS!!
Brain Wanderings 