Exercise And Me
Of all the ways I’ve tried to exercise, mountain biking is for me, without a doubt, the most enjoyable. I’ve been to the gym (well, a couple times for sure), tried home routines, enjoyed some martial arts (that’s right, I’m lethal… kinda), and even tried running (more like a fast jog, if you know what I mean). There’s just something about being outdoors that just makes exercise so much more
enjoyable for me. OK, I admit, I don’t always see it as exercise, which is why it works so well. The challenges of the ride, the adrenaline that’s sure to kick in on that downhill section, the smell of the
forest as you zip between the trees, all make it more fun than work. But it didn’t start out as something that was at all enjoyable to be truthful.
Starting Out
When I first started riding again as an adult, there were many factors that I had to overcome. Yes, I did happen to live across the street from a city park that had several miles of hilly trails at the time. But those trails were a bit challenging for my skill level at the time (0.4 out of 10 approximately). But it was a start, as I made the effort to ride (starting out on an old thrift store bike) I began learning more and more about how to ride. What is the best position? How high should the saddle be? When should I shift down or up? Why am I laying on the ground again? All these questions, especially the last one, are part of getting better at riding. As I look back, those trails are nothing compared to trails I’ve been on since then but at the time they took a lot of effort. But effort brings improvement. Improvement elevates enjoyment. Every adventure must have a beginning.
Overcoming Challenges
We see the same thing happen in life. Nothing worth pursuing ever comes without pain. In order to get the full enjoyment out of life, hard times have to come. Sure, you may not feel ready, sure it might rock your world, but eventually, the tough times shape you into something better.
The first hill I tried to climb (if you can call a 5ft rise over 30ft a hill) came with it’s difficulties. Now I look back almost laughingly at such a small obstacle. Now a quarter mile up a decent mountain is certainly challenging but not beyond what I am capable of. I’ve faced trials in life that have given me resolve to face life’s daily difficulties more easily now and I continue to develop more in this area as life goes on. Every adventure has a beginning. Don’t let difficulties at the beginning keep you from the blessings that lie ahead.
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