When I rode from my house to meet up for Bike Club on Sunday, it was freezing. The ride down literally requires almost no pedaling as we live atop the hill from Main Street between 7th and 8th streets in Midtown, historic St. Charles. Before I left, Alex (the hub) was in the kids bed (don't ask- we do a lot of that game musical beds in the night...) playing with his phone, while my little one followed me downstairs. I told him I was going to go ride my bike with other mommies to which he replied: "I go wif you mommy on the bike..." (He loves to ride with me on the back in the baby seat). So cute, but not today kid! I briefly wondered when Alex would get him as I did leave him downstairs as I left out my back door.
This Sunday, there were seven of us riding with a few new faces to join us, one of which was Sister Glavin. I'm so happy that she came. Although it was chilly starting out, it was warm as you got the legs pedaling. I stop sometimes to make sure everyone is doing okay, let them pass, then try to move ahead to lead again. Sister Glavin was the first to pass me while I waited on the (right) side of the trail and then after everyone moved by, I passed everyone except Sr. Glavin. I kept riding, thinking that she couldn't have gotten that far, but if I'll be honest- I really had to hustle to finally see her! I eventually caught up and started thinking about why she was doing so well.
After some reflection I think the answer is twofold: firstly, she is a positive thinker, and secondly, she had angel wind. I am a firm believer in 'mind over matter' philosophy and positive thinking. I believe that anything can happen if you first picture it in your mind with a positive attitude. This brings whatever you are thinking of into the field of pure potential, and then whatever you picture in your mind can be manifested. This is also called "Creative Visualization". (reference: Shakti Gawain - Author.)
The second aspect of Sister Glavins success on our little bike ride was what I termed 'angel wind'. What I mean by this of course is that she has God behind her to push her through, maybe even the angels as well. If you tap in to your spiritual resource (be it God or otherwise), whether through meditation or a tiny prayer, do you think it helps? I most certainly do- this is how I live my life. Little prayers and meditations throughout the day help me achieve my goals, and in the larger picture help me live my dreams and co-create my own reality. Nothing is too small, or to large to ask for, in my opinion, including exercise help, and a positive attitude towards my body.
Go ahead and call me crazy or a mystic, but one of the things I do is visualize my perfect body while exercising, AND little hint here- I frequently say what weight I want to be (not that weight is everything, it's NOT). Additionally, when I exercise, I focus on the muscles I am using in order to make them stronger. So, when I am riding up that tough Page Extension hill, I focus/visualize on all the muscles of the legs- the quadriceps, hamstrings, inner and outer thighs, and also the calf muscles. It also doesn't hurt after you make it up that hill to thank those muscles and your body for helping you to achieve your goal!
Now, for the part you might not want to hear: consistency in practice (and this applies to most practices and disciplines) will TRUMP intensity ANY DAY OF THE WEEK. We teach this to our kids- "if you practice your piano three times a week, you will do better for lesson...rather than cramming your practice all into one day...." The same is exactly true for getting better on the bike. If you want to be better at biking, ride harder and faster, and get up those hills, you have to put in what bikers call 'saddle time' or 'time in the saddle'.
However, if once a week is all you've got, then that is 100x better than doing nothing. Over time, it WILL make a difference. I promise you that...
And, if you are still reading, I came back and took the little one in the seat on my bike for a spin while Alex got some 'shower time'. It was more beautiful than ever with the sun shining and warm weather finally on our skin!
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