Choices

I have 3 bicycles at my disposal. I plan to cycle to work next year. As if life is not hard enough trying to decide what to wear each morning.

Still keeping up

Its exhausting. But I am almost managing some exercise while family is here.

Monday - swim after work
Tuesday - none
Wed - Bike at lunch
Thursday - None
Friday - Bike at 630am

This weekend, I will have to fit in something while herding the ladies through the itinery. Bicentennial park is part of the plan.

I have 3 bicycles in my apartment now. A colleague lent me another bike, smaller frame that allows me to reach the ground, although it seems to look a little small on me.

I like cycling, other than the fact that I look good in biking gear ;p, although I dont fancy a helmet head, especially since it flattens my spiky do. I think, by doing a little of everything, I actually appreciate each sport more, and treat each of them as a more "sacred" session. Because if you do just 1 run a week, you'd do it well. Its not like one of many runs you do, at each session, you think you will do better tomorrow. manana, manana. you know...

But I'm on leave now. And I can now devote my time to recreation. At least I hope so.

Cycling today

I went cycling with colleagues today; same route as last week to Lane Cove National Park. There is 1 uphill that I havent managed to conquer and I will work on that. I'm glad my colleagues are very encouraging.

There was 1 mistake I made today; I didnt wear cycling shorts. I got by without it in my leisurely rides, but when trying to catch up with fast bikers, its quite neccessary.

I ended up not going for today's conditioning run because I thought I ought to spend more time with family. It turned out to be a good thing because I didnt realise how tired I was. I took them for a drive around Manly. Riding in the area would be a challenge indeed.

I think cycling is pretty much a compromise between running and driving. Less effort than running yet absorbing more than driving.

I think I ought to go for a biking trip to close the year.

Keeping up

With my family visiting, I was determined this time, that I cannot let down my fitness regime else I get moody and take it out on them. So I guess it requires some imagination to be able juggle exercise, my own social life and having them here.

So today I took them to the bay. Mum and grandma had their picnic, I went running with my sis biking next to me. 8k 51 min which isnt too bad considering I stopped to help my sis with the bike. Tomorrow I will set them loose at the shopping center while I go for my monday swims.

My lower leg tightness hasnt bothered me, it threatens to set in but thats all. I've been running just once or twice a week so I think it isnt too bad that my usual speed hasnt been compromised.

I also borrowed another bike so sis and I can go biking together.

Contemplating 2009 goals

So I am really contemplating about what I should aim for next year. I must be reasonable with myself. As much as I want to reap as much of what this city can offer. I need to focus on what I want my goal to be next year.

After hitting 28km a few weeks ago, and ending the week with a 41min time for a 7k run, and struggling to prevent myself from losing weight, I told myself I was tired of running and going no where. And I wasnt conditioning myself for the hills.

So I had a rethink about the Great Ocean Road marathon. At the same time I was discovering the benefits of swimming and the joys of biking. There is so much I am missing out if I only ran. Not to mention the variation in outfits!

So possibly, I may aim for SMH half marathon, while saving the energy to do other stuff.

Biking

In addition to the swimming I have added biking as the new interest. Its been a series of getting up at 5 am to cycle, which eventually became might as well get up to swim since I am up at that hour anyway.

Running, biking, swimming and yoga. Its been challenging and contradicting.

I started running and biking with a group in the North Shore. Its a great way to sightsee really. There are astounding scenery on some of the routes. Beautiful coves of sailboats, views of the Harbour Bridge at every angle possible, making the painful climb over bridges much more than merely bearable.

It is amazing how forthcoming people are. There are many sports enthusiast in this country and every other person can talk to you passionately about their point of interest.

I will only wish my passion for all that will continue to burn throughout 2009. But I need to prioritise, and that, is a little bit hard...