As you probably have noticed, I haven’t written anything of any substance here in a long time. With all the changes in my life over the last few months, this site has unfortunately become less of a priority for me. Now that I’m starting to get my balance again, I’m going to try my hardest to make time for writing.
I also think it’s kind of ridiculous for me to be attending “the blogosphere’s conference” next month when I’ve been doing such a horrible job of blogging. Yes, I realize that I always go through this I’m-a-terrible-blogger phase in the weeks leading up to Gnomedex. I’m going to try my hardest not to relapse this time, though.
Speaking of balance, I purchased a mountain bike on Friday. It’s the first time I’ve had a bicycle since I got too big for the dirt bike I won at the Henry County Fair when I was maybe four years old. (Is that right, Mom?)
For a couple years, I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to force myself to follow a running regimen. What makes running difficult for me is that I was born with a club foot. The doctors did a really good job of reconstructing my leg, but I still have very limited mobility in my left ankle. Because of this, my ability to run anything beyond a short sprint takes a lot of extra work. (It’s also quite funny looking, as Gabe can attest to.) Despite this limitation, I was successful at wrestling, baseball, and football in my youth.
So, knowing that running is difficult for me, why did I choose it as my method for getting back in shape in my adult life? I don’t really know. Probably some pigheaded need to prove that I can will myself to do anything. After running into the same wall over and over for the last couple years, I’m finally ready to admit that, yes, I am human. There are things I just can’t do. One of those things is run a marathon.
Which is just fine with me because, after just a couple rides on the new bike, I’m remembering how much fun cycling is. I’m totally hooked. I’m already trying to find ways I can tinker with my bike. I wouldn’t be surprised if I end up getting a road bike in the near future, as well.
7 Comments
I miss riding bikes, from my childhood days. Just weird about riding them in the city, with traffic and all.
Riding is fun … don’t go poppin wheelies though. Then the chain falls off, you go crashing into a light pole, running into that brand new Mercedes it’s parked next to, being sued by Dr. Up-the-Butt … well you can see it can become a mess. Be safe – no wheelies! You can, however, raise your arms up in the air (to boost the testosterone) and yell at the top of your lungs “TO WANNNNDA!” That’ll get you the same high.
(I don’t know where all that came from)….
Next thing you know you’ll be adding spinners and chrome to pimp that ride out! :) Ok, maybe not, but you know you are tempted to put a card on the back wheel to rattle against the spoke as you cruise along.
Wow. Grats Matt!
Please don’t become one of those bike assholes who stops obeying traffic laws!
:)
I won’t. I hate those guys.
Hey Matt,
Glad to hear you’re back on the bike. I’ve been riding pretty much my whole life, with a few periods of downtime, and there’s nothing like picking it up again. Plus not to mention the side effects of becoming more fit.
Have fun at Gnomedex and make sure you and Marusin do some posting this year.
Best
That’s awesome, Matt! When I got my bike a little over a year ago, I hadn’t ridden a bike since I was a kid, either. Now I couldn’t imagine living without it.