About 8 years ago, I wrote a post about how I feel like I’d gone through about eight different fitness identities in my life — and I was wondering which one I was entering. I thought it was “Aging Adventurer.” Maybe that’s what happened — I certainly traveled a lot, rode my bike in a lot of different countries and territories, engaged with grit in all sorts of different ways. But that’s not so much true right now. It’s more… Try Hard to Get Off the Couch.
Since I turned 60 last year, I’ve definitely… slowed down. It’s a lot harder to see the “adventurer” part as being louder than “aging.” This was the first winter in almost 20 years I didn’t travel anywhere warm or sunny, and I found it very… heavy. Dark, cold, lots of emotional residue of various kinds. For some reason, I canceled my gym membership. I just… hibernated.
I’m curious — am I alone in this? How easy is it for all of you to stick to your movement intentions, to set a training plan and follow it, to argue in your head between the couch and whatever diversion besets you (scrolling, gaming, mindless TV, consumables of whatever kind…)? What are you noticing?
I used to be able to happily run 5 kilometres without drama. Last Friday, I ran 3 km for the first time in months and — after a cold and a bunch of stitches in my hand after a kitchen accident last weekend, it was a Feat. I am finding it a lot harder to get myself outside, to get off the couch, to feel rested enough to even contemplate an adventure. The world and all that out yonder sure doesn’t help.
I’m just noticing, and realizing I have to set some actual intentions, that I am not the person who can just get on a bike and ride all day without training anymore. I’m trying to define what it is I am trying to do in my body.
Today was Easter Sunday. I was at my youngest sister’s house, with my other sister. The adults were sitting at the kitchen table eating chips and salsa and yammering about our lives. My 5 year old niece asked me to come and play bubbles with her. I listened. We went outside did bubbles, then walked to the park. I brought a skipping rope. We jumped a bit and climbed and I pushed her on the swing and we did some running. And I remembered why it’s important to listen when the fresh air calls.
Happy spring. What’s motivating you?
Fieldpoppy is Cate Creede-Desmarais, who is very happy that spring is finally almost here.
Love the bunny ears. I’m sharing your pain over not doing active travel over the long winter months. For me, it used to be riding my bike in Florida or Arizona for a week or so. Thanks to Trump I’m not doing that. Last year we were in NZ riding bikes lots and so that was okay. This year, no winter escapes with bikes and so I feel you starting off spring in a different place. On the upside, you’ve got a new place to explore and we both know the best way to do that is by bike. Enjoy finding your new fitness identity in a brand new part of the country. Think those things might fit together well and hope you keep blogging about that here. Love your voice on the blog.
Okay, one more thought: I also thought about your 3D post, https://share.google/mPhFI45WjBLDRAp6z, and it being a matter of finding balance. If you’re used to fitness being the big thing, it might be hard to move to second or third place without it dropping off. I’m excited for you finding your new fitness home in Nova Scotia!
I get it. I find that having a schedule that someone else is involved in is very helpful. I actually get an assignment from an online coach every week, and I was always one to turn in my homework. Simpler than that, I know several other women who like to get together to ride, mostly on weekends. But there are a couple of others who have weekday time. No need to tell you that planning a tour is the ultimate way of making sure you are trained – even if the training is not as thorough as planned…until I am out there needing it. I spent my 70th birthday at a park in Florida as I approached my mostly solo ride from San Diego.
Oh, and I am a Californian, so winter is much less of a slowdown than what most people have to deal with. Bike on rollers in the garage? Hardly ever gets done. But brisk walks? I am a birdwatcher, and that can lure me out in almost anything short of a serious storm.
Thanks Winnie — it’s been SUCH A LONG WINTER here. I do think I need to plan a couple of summer tours to get me hard and fast onto my bike.