Trepidation and Triumph

“Look my hand is shaking.” I said, holding my hand out for C’s scrutiny.

His expression was a combination of sympathy and something that would probably translate into “Just humour the crazy lady”.

We had just loaded my bike, trainer and the rest of my cycling gear into my car for my imminent departure to the inaugural Spin class of the year.

I was nervous, but C’s expression was right – why the heck was I nervous?

My Spin-Family are some of the most friendly and supportive people I know, and when I walked into the bike shop I was instantly reminded of that fact.

I was greeted like a long-lost sister with hugs and how-the-hell-are-ya’s. It was great!

With hands still a bit shaky, I set up my bike and got ready for the Spin.

I know my nerves were ego-driven. I hadn’t ridden much (if at all) during the summer and I was worried that I’d not have the stamina to make it through the class and that I’d look like the slacker I was feeling like.

But I had not right to feel that way. True, I hadn’t been on my road bike outside on the road since, err, ummm, June? But I had set it up on the trainer mid-October and had been making a concerted effort to work out for 60 to 90 minutes two or three times a week. I was ready for Spin.

I was also dreading the ubiquitous question – What races did you do this summer? (Which is a close cousin to the ubiquitous question I dread in March – Which races are you doing this coming year?)

To which (either cousin) I have to reply – “None”.

My past summer was spent hiking, camping and backcountry camping and having a GREAT time in the great outdoors with the always great and wonderful C.

I have no doubt that Summer 2011 will be similarly occupied with hiking and backcountry camping with the wonderful C in the wilds of the wilderness.

And some did ask how I’d spent my summer, and I did tell them, and they all thought it was great.

There was joking and banter as all the old crowd re-assembled. The same jokes and jibes were given and received – some things never change.

Spin started; single-leg drills, hills, cadence, more hills, and more single-leg drills.

Hecklers and other voices from the Peanut Gallery ribbed D – our fearless leader as he barked out orders to people who were slacking off (all good naturedly and said with affection).

At one point I mentioned to G who was set up next to me that he was looking fighting fit (he’s training for Ironman Canada, so he’d better look (and be) fit). To which he replied; “You look good, have you lost some weight?”

To which I grinned and said – “You bet” without divulging the near-panicked state I was in mid October when I started “prepping” for Spin – or divulging the fact that I had spent the last six weeks getting myself in shape for Spin so I could save face.  Not to mention the pre-Spin gitters of just minutes earlier.

The Spin session went well; 90 minutes of exertion, exhaustion and exultation.

I was able to push myself further and harder than I had remembered pushing myself during Spin last year. I was feeling strong and satisfied by the end of the session.

The hard work of the past six weeks paid off. I’m ready to have the next four months of Spin be the best four months of training I’ve ever had.

What am I training for?

Just the sheer fun of training and the reward of being fit, healthy and able to challenge even the toughest hill (whether it be with a bike under me, or with a pack on my back).