Riding a bike after 15 years

Yesterday I did something I never would have done 67 lbs ago. I rode a bike! I have wanted to ride a bike since hitting my first milestone on the scale (under 300 lbs) back in November and I just haven't gotten around to it despite Nashville's free bike share program.

Yesterday though I got on a bike for the first time in about 15 years. We rode 8 miles on a mountainside trail. You know what a mountainside trail means?

HILLS.

I mean really, this looks like a background someone created for a Hollwood movie set.

The weather was perfect with clear, blue, sunny skies and just the right mix of physical challenges and reassurances that I am in shape or at least getting there. On the way out we were apparently going downhill with a few rolling hills in the mix. We made it to Lake Dillon before having to turn around (we are here to work afterall). I felt great on the way out. Coasting on the flat surfaces, riding the hardest-to-pedal gear.

Stopping to pose by Lake Dillon.

After reaching the lake we headed back. Unbeknownst to us, it was all uphill on the way back. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't huffing and puffing. It felt like a much slower return, but as it turned out we arrived back at the bike shop in the same amount of time ending up riding for an hour and a half.

I felt so accomplished before 9 in the morning. Accomplished in a way that walking a marathon or learning to run hasn't afforded me. It was a whole new sort of accomplishment. There were, however, challenges. Like the moment I practically stopped on a rather large hill due to a gear shift issue and had to get off my bike and walk it to the top. Or towards the end of the bike feeling like I wouldn't be able to do anything else for the rest of the day.

Of course, after a 20 minute rest in my hotel room and a shower I had great energy for the rest of the day. I attended the rest of the conference, sipped some fine local microbrews and soaked in my last Colorado evening at the resort stables for the "Barn Dance."

My only regret is that I have to leave Colorado today. I can't wait to start planning my next trip back. Hopefully, it will be to complete one of my 101 in 1001 items - to go snow skiing.

Running in Beautiful Colorado

View from the hotel - Keystone, CO

Life has been busy since touching down in Denver on Tuesday. After renting a car and making the 2 hour drive up the mountain we arrived in Keystone, CO just in time for me to drop my bags and jet off to to my new member orientation.

To tell you it is beautiful here is a gross understatement and I can only imagine that experiencing its beauty is the only way one could ever know what I am talking about.

We are staying at approximately 9,000 feet. The sky is bluer than I have ever seen anywhere in the world. This is due to the lack of moisture in the air (hello, chapped lips). Of course the beauty does come with the stuffy nose, headache and shortness of breath of altitude sickness. But honestly I haven't minded any of those minor inconveniences. So what if I am out of breath after walking a mile? It's worth it to experience the most beautiful place I've ever laid eyes on.

I honestly slept horribly my first night in Keystone. I fell asleep ok but I seemed to wake up every hour - 11, 12, 3, 3, 5...I had my alarm set for 6:15 Wednesday morning to hit the fitness center and get my run out of the way. Unfortunately, the fitness center was full and no cardio machines were open. I hit the trail instead even though I only had a t-shirt and capris on. Oh, and it was 34 degrees out.

Although I froze, the 30 minutes or so I had with just myself and the outdoors allowed me to experience some of the great scenery. I'm not a big picture taker while exercising as I think it distracts from focusing on my workout, but I couldn't resist snapping a few phone shots.

A little blury, but this is the Snake River, which runs through the area.
Picturesque, isn't it? It reminds me of a postcard.
Note the snow capped mountains in the far background.

Another shot of the river, which I actually saw someone fly fishing in this morning.

Since time was short, I strayed from the actual #5Kin100days schedule and just did a warm up and then eight 1:30 minute intervals. I thought I would of had more trouble with my endurance given the altitude, but I didn't have difficulty breathing until the end of my run.

I am so glad I got out and got a work out in. 67 lbs ago I would have never taken time out from a trip to do this. A major NSV. Tomorrow I am planning on getting up and renting a bike to ride along the mountainside trails before conference activities really get started.