It’s been two weeks since I started the 15 km route, and almost four weeks since I began training seriously (and, consequently, blogging about it) for my cross-Canada trek. I begin school again in September, so my next step won’t be to add more kilometers, but rather to add some weight to my bike and some time at the gym. I can already feel my body changing. I can look in the mirror at my profile and see that it’s changing, even if I haven’t exactly been diligent in looking at the numbers. My mind is changing, too. I am happier overall, and more balanced emotionally.

It’s amazing what a ‘little’ boost in your physical activity level can do!

Last fall, I was cycling sporadically to and from school. I took exactly the same route as I am doing now, but it was broken up (before and after classes). Also, I had to get off my bike and walk up the two major hills on the route to school (a 7.5km trip), and include at least one rest stop. The trip there took a lot out of me. Now, I take two 2-3 minute rest stops, and I don’t get off my bike. I find those two problem hills to be fairly easy, and I’m only truly tired when I finally get home after cycling the entire 15km.

It’s fair to say that I enjoy cycling, but that I am in love with how it makes me feel and the changes it is bringing about in my body and in my life. Really, the same could said about any type of exercise that one genuinely enjoys doing. Also, for other people, it may be that they don’t enjoy the actual exercise, but rather the after-effects: the rush of adrenaline, the feeling of well-being, and the way it brings about positive change.

For me, it’s a bit of both. Cycling makes me feel free, even just temporarily.