“….she had sent for him to tell him that she was bored, that her husband was odious, her life frightful.” Madam Bovary, G. Flaubert
Wednesday
Bored. Can’t be bothered to do this. Considering cancelling holidays. There is no way I can stick with this exercise regime. On top of everything else the holiday I had planned for this year was just cancelled. I was due to go to China in April – not cycling this time round. For obvious reasons the trip has been cancelled. I feel like I’ve come out from a long-term relationship. I’ve been looking forward to this trip for literally 12 months. Saving and preparing for it and now, it’s not happening. Friends, colleagues and even the travel agent asked me where would I like to go instead. But it’s like breaking up with your boyfriend and hooking up with another guy, when your ex is still in your head or heart. Even though there is a long list of places I want to go to, my heart isn’t in it. I decided to rebook the trip for 2021, and just stay put this April. Maybe take a long weekend somewhere. In a meantime, I have more time to learn Mandarin or Cantonese or whichever language they speak in those Chinese dramas on Netflix. I was supposed to sign-up to some official lessons, but that never happened. Well, I have the time now.
As for cycling. Can’t be bothered.
Friday
I actually considered cycling tonight! What’s more, I was really close to doing it, if it wasn’t for the rain that arrived after work. I had that strange urge, as I walked out of the office, to take out my day’s frustrations on something. The way people run – and push themselves to a collapse, or box, or….cycle. I have done that in the past. Few times in the gym, after a particularly brutal week at work, despite not really being a runner I just had the urge to run until I could run no more.
Unfortunately, due to the rain…..drizzle, no such luck on Friday. Once again, however, it was a refreshing feeling – the realisation that I ‘crave’ exercise, or cycling to be precise. There is hope for me yet.
Saturday.
OMG, I actually got on a bike, on what is not currently my training day. I spent a day with my best friends from university, and after getting back into the city – I thought why not. It’s not raining, I have gloves with me, though not glasses and my hair is untidy, and I’m missing scrunchie. But, despite all those drawbacks, I decided I could cope. So, I crossed the road across from Euston station to the nearest cycling bay, picked up a Boris bike and off I went.
Thanks to increased focus on cycling in the city, there has been an increase in cycle lines and quiet cycle routes. However, to get from Euston Station to Hyde Park, I still had to traverse a few busy roads. I suspect there are quieter routes than criss-crossing St Christpher’s place – I just need to find it. I want to avoid cycling on main roads, especially at night. I don’t have a helmet with me, or high-vis gear when I get a random idea to get on a bike. So it’s best to stick to quiet roads.
When I reached Hyde Park, I decided to do one extra loop around the park – in the dark. Only a little one past Horse Guards barracks, back around on the cycle path, down the promenade by the lake and up back towards Royal Albert Hall, then home. I added around 3-4 kilometres to the journey. The result being an 11.4km cycle.
As pleased as I am for having done the ride, I am a little nervous of how I’m going to be feeling tomorrow – both physically and emotionally, i.e. am I not going to be too tired in the morning to do another ride, and am I going to be in the mood.
Well, only tomorrow can tell.
Right now….I’m shattered and slowly nodding off……..
- Days left: 354 I think
- Weight: who cares
- Distance travelled: 19kms
- Total distance travelled: 105.9
- Stupidity Level: Still surprisingly reasonable
Hate To Exercise 