Busy at Home and Church

It's been over a week since I've posted. It seems that it has been a busy time, but I've still found opportunities to get out and ride. I've been grateful for the great weather, but it has also been difficult trying to get a ride in that doesn't seem quite rushed. Last week I totalled 107 miles, but that was over 6 days. There were a few days that I didn't even have time for 20.

Some good news. It's amazing how one gets stronger after riding 375 miles in five days. Having finfished last Friday with the Pedaling Parsons Tour, I didn't get to ride again until Monday. That day I really felt quite stiff and a little sore as I headed north on what is my most often traveled training route. As I reached the halfway point, I realized that I was flying for me. So I turned around and headed for home on pace for a personal best time on this route. I finished having averaged 18.2 miles per hour, about 3 tenths of an MPH faster than I'd run all summer.

On Tuesday, I only had time for a quick 15 miles. Then on Wednesday I rode the same course as Monday. From the house, north on SOM Center to the Metro Park entrance and east down the 2 mile hill toward River Road. North on River Road to Gates Mills, then left about half way up Old Mill hill. That's where I turn around when the odometer hits 10 miles so I end up with a 20 mile route. Well this day I was riding even faster than Monday - in fact a lot faster. I ended this ride at 19 MPH average speed with a time of 1 hour 3:15 for the 20 mile trip. With the hills cllimbed, that was a great ride for me.

As I cycle, it's always amazing to me to think about how God created this body to take in oxygen, the energy from food, and the water and use all of that in such a way to produce the great energy it takes to propel this 225 pound body forward and up and down hills on a bicycle. It's really fun to get into a zone where I feel like the tires are barely touching the road and my lungs, heart rate, and leg strength just seem to remain in good condition throughout the ride.

It's also nice to have an hour or so to think about things in the church, in my own life in Christ, and to pray for those whom God brings to my mind who may be struggling with something in their own life.

I'll try to keep you posted more often.

Living the Love of Jesus Everyday,

Scott