+1. Started doing serious cross training with a personal trainer - free weights, abs and core work, lots of balance drills, boxing and tons of running through short "obstacles" on my toes. I'm 5 1/2 weeks in and I'm hooked. No, I'm addicted. My fitness has gone up so fast, my cycling group has joked I must be doping. I road pretty steadily most of the last 7-8 months of last year and kept improving a little but my rides since beginning the regular workouts (3 x's a week) have ben revelations. My lung capacity has always been a concern for me as I've only got one lung but I never knew how much I could push before because my legs would give out long before my lung would. Now, I'm starting to find a rhythmic breathing as a climb, because I've more confidence that my legs are strong enough to keep the pedals moving.

Strava has been fun to use because I'm really able to break down where I'm improving. I mean I'm no speedster by any means but I'm tacking hills now instead of just surviving them. I've noticed not only a (minor) speed increase going up regular hills but that I'm pedaling harder at a faster cadence. No doubt in my mind the workouts are making me stronger and better all around on the bicycle.

As as a side benefit, keeping a regular workout schedule while not easy on the wallet, has helped me transform my body in ways I never thought possible especially at my age. I've lost inches off my waist and thighs and I now have bicep muscles that people have noticed. I'm not like a body builder but I'm starting to resemble a really fit person. And the progress has made me think bigger, like maybe I can go all the way down to my best weight ever (at 26) and how much more fun it'll be to climb hills with 20 more pounds off me?