Some of you will know that I recently bought a really nice bike with some of my savings from not smoking, to get me back into my old hobby of cycling - and to give me something to aim at I signed up for a 100 mile bike ride in aid of the British Heart Foundation in June.
Anyway, Sunday morning was a training ride with me and 4 out of the 8 others from work who are also doing the ride (when word got out, some people wanted to join in and then we "persuaded" others ).... the other 4 couldn't make this one.
We did 20 miles - all 5 of us. The 2 smokers (one New Year quitter recently relapsed), the 2 never smokers and me who is newly quit (just over 6 months).
We averaged just under 15mph, bloody good, and I actually remarked to the smokers as soon as we stopped that I was impressed. I doubt that I would have been able to do that when I was still feeding my addiction.
"You can be fit and smoke, you know" said one as he lit up a fag before he even recovered his breathing.
I remembered saying pretty much the same thing a few years ago. A regular runner I knew at the time had a reply for me that I couldn't remember just at that moment.
Then it hit me.... my breathing had already recovered. In fact, I hadn't really been breathing that hard anyway. Neither had the non smokers. In fact we had been talking and laughing for most of the ride. The smokers hadn't.
I drank from my water bottle and stretched my muscles as he bent over coughing.
Then the runner's reply came back to me.
"Yes, you can be fit and smoke" I said..... "You just can't be healthy and smoke".
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nsd_user663_3633
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Stu-you are sooo right-yep you can be 'fit' and smoke but you can't be healthy and smoke!!!
I've always been 'fit' but now i feel so much better when out running, going to the gym, fell walking and climbing-AND i'm enjoying it more(doesn't flipping hurt)
I agree as a regular gym goer, the first thing I did when I had done my class was light up a well deserved ciggie. even though I could feel my chest being really tight I still carried on.
for the first time last night I realised how good exercising and breathing feels not having smoked for 11 days.
Shhhh dont tell any one mate ... but I am a bit of a closet cyclist myself, It started out as just a few miles now and again. you know, when no one is watching but recently Ive not cared whose been around . Ive even bought some lycra...:eek: Just be careful its a terrible thing.....very addictive.
seriously though I have only been stopped a few weeks and can really notice a difference , especially in my recovery times and in the relative ease in climbing the hills that before were a struggle..
Have you noticed that cycling doesnt get easier .... it just gets faster..your in the peleton now..
Ive even bought some lycra...:eek: Just be careful its a terrible thing.....very addictive.
Lycra is addictive? That explains why I can't wait to get on the bike these days!
Been out (lycra and everything) 3 more times after work this week totalling about another 50 miles and loving it - my average speed for the last 70 miles (since last trip reset) is 17.02mph... I'm quite impressed with that since I got on a bike for the first time in 4 years 3 weeks ago.
Anyway, got a route planned for this weekends training ride now.... 30 miles down some lovely counrty lanes. Will reset the counter again before this one and see what happens. Fingers crossed for the weather.
Thats a decent average speed , I am around 15mph on a typical 40 miler but being in Scotland there is generally 3000 odd feet of climbing in that.. On the flat I am around 17 mph average . Have you noticed how much energy that extra 1-2 mph takes..
Will you be setting up one of those "justgiving" thingies on the interweb so that some of your cyber friends can donate to the charity for your bike ride. I am sure alot of us would like to support you and a well worthy charity.
Will you be setting up one of those "justgiving" thingies on the interweb so that some of your cyber friends can donate to the charity for your bike ride. I am sure alot of us would like to support you and a well worthy charity.
Can't you tell I am not a techie:eek:
Bernie
There already is a just giving page set up, All donations VERY gratefully received. It's a great cause, and close to my heart (pardon the pun). I was going to post it a bit nearer the time.... but since you asked
Anyway - I surprised myself by getting to go out on the bike today, I was building a fence/gate in the garden which I thought would take all day - but I got it done this morning and did the 30 miles this afternoon. Very enjoyable in the lovely weather and an average of 16.3mph is not to be sneezed at The training is going well!
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).... the other 4 couldn't make this one.
Unhelpful partners/husbands? Advice?
First time in 40 years
Will I ever do this...
