Dust off the Spider Webs, Get on the Bike

Common sense prevailed today. My left heel and instep are just waiting for me to run too soon and too fast. They have been giving me daily friendly reminders of pain whenever I turn the wrong way, or put too much pressure on them. So, today I decided to reunite myself with my old friend, "Raleigh." Raleigh, my 18 speed bike, has been hanging out in my shed. Raleigh's been lonely the past 2 1/2 years, as I'd abandoned him for Asics, my running shoes. Poor Raleigh was looking kind of flat, so I "pumped him up." I put on my "tool helmet," as my wife and kids call my biking helmet, set my Garmin for biking, and off I went. It was cold, 44 degrees, and windy, but I was dressed in my running attire. Of course my tool helmet did absolutely nothing to keep my ears warm. I settled into a comfortable riding pace, and figured I would see how far I could ride in 45 minutes. Shortly into my ride, I started to remember how much fun (and painless)riding a bike was. Heck, I could ride wherever I wanted, as fast or as slow as I wanted, and didn't feel the pressure of stressing about split times or whether or not I would experience pain. It was like....like being a kid again. My 45 minute ride turned into a one hour, one minute, and 12 seconds ride. Overall, I covered 11.73 miles, and averaged 11.5 mph. Not bad for a riding novice. Maybe the 25 mile bike ride I signed up for to benefit MS on June 7th will be easier to complete than last year. Maybe I can beat my 2 hours and 10 minutes time, Maybe I can build up enough calluses on my ass between now and then so it doesn't hurt so bad this year! Somehow a 52 year old man wearing spandex riding shorts with built in ass protection just doesn't seem right. Yup, I was walking like a cowboy after last year's ride. In response to Anais' comment, yes, I do have a super duper padded gel seat! Perhaps riding my bike and giving my foot and body a break from running will work out. That is, until warmer weather comes and the 5K and half marathon races arrive. After that, who knows? Addendum: Wednesday's bike ride stats: 7.21 miles; 32:43; 13.2 average mph.