Recognizing Fitness
I have a few blogs I want to write, but this is the shortest, so I will start with this one.
I took my brother-in-law out for a bike ride this Sunday. I had just finished my cycling camp up in Platteville, WI (North Branch is awesome). My brother-in-law is the same age as my wife, 28-years-old. He is a big guy at 6′5″ and weighs about 300lbs. He is aware that he needs to do something, so we bought him a hybrid bike this year. That was about 5 weeks ago and it has been sitting in his garage.
So, I wanted to bike with Ethan on Sunday so the three of us went out together. I learned something on this ride, fitness is earned. We pulled out from his house and headed toward the forest preserve which is about 2 miles away.
To get to the forest preserve, you cross under Arlington Heights road and emerge on a crushed gravel path. It was a slight uphill, but sandy, so while pulling Ethan I had to get out of the saddle to maintan control. I get to the top and look back and he is walking his bike.
I was giving him a hard time as he is a pretty competitive guy. So, it was a good chance to rib him. So, we got to the top, desended down another “hill” and he was falling behind. Now, remember, I am just cruising along and have my son in tow. I took him on the whole path which cannot be more than 3 miles. Despite there being no hills per se, he was toasted and asking when it would flatten out. I smiled and he reminded me that I have done Ironman’s and ride my bike all the time and he hadn’t ridden in 12-14 years.
That is when once again came to the self realization that fitness is something we have to earn every day. It goes away if we neglect it and we can lose it at any age, no matter what our past is. So, is it hard work? I guess, but an 88-mile ride through the hills of the Platteville area is actually fun. Riding is just fun. Running is fun (when you are doing it).
So, I am going to enjoy my fitness. I am lucky to have it. I also intend on getting my brother-in-law out there more so he can gain some fitness and enjoy it too.