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I was never much of a runner really. Was mostly a sprinter and was terrible at longer distances because I always had trouble with lung power. After my trip to Machu Picchu, Peru last year where I got dehydrated and sick from overexertion (and other things) while on the 3.5 day trail, I grew more concerned with my athletic health (or lack thereof). I've always known that my lungs weren't that great and in the ascension to high altitudes, it started to show. I was among the slower hikers in the group because of my lack of lung power.

Then earlier this year I started to think of better ways of transportation, but gave up the pursuit of invention to make use of what's already been done. So I walked into a bike shop and was sold on a Trek 1000. Since the Trek 1000 was the best bike I've ever bought, I was beaming and awfully proud of it.

Because of very unfortunate circumstances, I was out of commission until July/August when I got back on the saddle and started doing rides in August with local bike clubs and have been hooked since. I'm still trying to figure out the inner athlete in me (yeah yeah, it's more mental than physical according to some people), but with my body proportions (shorter legs, longer torso) I've been trying to figure out what that's ideal for. Cycling favors longer legs, so cycling is a cardio replacement for running, which is tough on my joints.

Last week I did my first quickspin and led the bottom 1/3 of the pack. I think my lack of lung power did me in again. That's what training is for. And being among these intermediate/advanced riders, one tends to develop bike envy. But how cool would it be to keep up or surpass the top 1/3 with the lowly Trek 1000?

I put in a company request to get some indoor bike racks and it got approved. Hurray!