Hello,
There have been times in my life when
I never much questioned how I should exercise. For instance when I was in
college and would come back home to the farm for the summer, I started riding
my brother’s bike on the gravel roads which was all I had available. No bike of
my own and no paved roads. I would ride eight miles almost every day. It was
steep up hill and down in northwestern Illinois close to Wisconsin. It took
quite a lot of stamina, skill, and daring just to stay the course. I remember
one hill that was especially daunting to go up and almost as challenging to
come down without slipping and falling on the gravel.
Much of the time I did not see other
vehicles on the road. It was a rather remote place by some standards as I was
not close enough to any houses to be seen on the road. I was especially struck
by this fact when a pickup truck, complete with three young males I had never
seen before, came by. They stopped and tried to engage me in conversation. My
heart started racing faster as I realized I could not possible get any help if I
needed it. I do not remember the track of the talk, but they finally wearied of
the process and moved on. I did not ride for the next few days, but could not
stay away from the draw of the wind, solitude, and energy expansion. Fortunately
I never saw them again.
Now I wonder where did that person go
who risked life and limb to get that feel good feeling of physical release.
Instead I have to talk myself into moving more and stretching more. I realize I
probably could not do that type of riding today, but I could certainly do more
than I am doing. It is a switch in our lives, but now Leroy gets more exercise
than I do. It is too bad we cannot give each other the benefits. Wouldn’t it be
nice to share?
Paula
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