50 shades of puce.......

[vixiej]

……....but I did it!

Yesterday I really put myself through the mill. Started out with my W8R1, which wasn’t easy (actually it was pretty hard), but it was successful, and I’m delighted with the success. There were a couple of points that I thought I wouldn’t make it and I felt a little queasy a couple of times, but just slowed my pace a little to recover.

I had a feast afterwards (and a shower!) and then went for some cycle training, ready for Palace to Palace on 15th. Part way round, my left knee started to whinge a little, so I backed off for a bit and stayed in a lower gear (higher? – I never remember which way I’m going with gears on bikes), which seemed to help. At some point on the ride (just after a van driver almost clipped my shoulder with his wing mirror) when I was huffing and puffing, and my face was a greyish purple, I thought that I must be some sort of masochist to put myself through all this training, 16 miles of cycling after 28 minutes of running in the morning. Sometimes it’s just downright gruelling and I wonder what it is all for. Then I get that feeling of immense satisfaction, the euphoria, the smiling like a lunatic at complete strangers as I walk back from the park or as I cycle the towpath and I know exactly why I put myself through it and why I will continue to put myself through more of the same for the rest of my life.

[Chewy]

The smiling is the drugs Vixie the ones your brain releases when you do lots of exercise, free drugs and not even illegal, brilliant isn't it ?

[vixiej Graduate in reply to Chewy]

yes, lovely endorphins, bring it on

[gdeann Graduate]

Wow vixie, you made me tired just reading this! I'm not sure what puce means but I am happy the day ended well for you and you had that huge grin on your face! You are doing great!!! The next few runs will fly by!!!!!

[vixiej Graduate in reply to gdeann]

thanks, I didn't mean to tire you! I just signed up for such a lot and I need to do some training! I tend to be a bit 'feast or famine' when it comes to exercise, I spent 8 months working long hours and commuting 130 miles a day, now I am between roles I am making the most of having some time to exercise and get fit again.

Puce, according to wikipedia (so it must be true, LOL) is "defined as ranging from light grayish red-violet [...] to medium to dark purplish-brown". I'm pretty sure I covered the full spectrum yesterday