Spinning Hours Into Days

The spin bike has been mentally plaguing me. For weeks. You might remember past diatribes about my pain. Loathe. Detest. Anger. Courtney and I have become 4-5 day/week gym groupies since January and I haven't had the guts to go back. I assumed my elliptical machine {back row, of course} and watched as one, two, three, ten, twenty people filed out of the spin room each day comparing them to myself wondering how they managed to finish the class with only a slight forehead glisten. My word, when I came out of there, I had a limp, tomato face and blonde hair that was slicked to my head with sweat. Absolute fear.

Courtney's been after me to give it a try again for awhile now. One day at a time, she's brainwashed me into giving the thought three seconds of debate in my head. Then, poof, it goes.

Today, it stuck. She convinced me. I had a knot in my stomach all afternoon wondering if I had the stamina to endure all 60 minutes {Are you kidding me?!}. Sure, we've been putting in an hour of cardio every day since Janauary, but that was self-paced.

Today was a milestone. Finished the class. Petalling through every off-the-seat run at our instructors demand. Adding resistance each time. For a whole 60 minutes. Without stopping. I conquered. And I don't mean a slow ride through the bike trails taking in the breeze and scenery. I mean melt your mascara off, sweat running down the tip of your nose, make you want to say "Oh My Gravy" kind of workout.

There seems to be nothing more rewarding that a physical accomplishment you single-handedly give yourself every reason to fret over. And why? A spin bike? A stationary piece of equipment with one wheel? Certainly it's not the hardest activity I have every tried to accomplish. If it is, my life won't have much challenge in the future. I'm realizing this whole thing wasn't even physical to begin with. Once upon a time I ran a marathan - a whole one - and now a spin bike defeats me? One of my ALL TIME favorite sayings - "The only job where you'll every start on top is digging a hole." So true. I'll let you ponder that one for a minute and realize how many facets of your life you can apply it to.

I'm greatful for the strength I gained in 60 minutes, pacing myself to the Foo Fighters, working up some emotional sweat. I needed that.