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Strength

What does not kill me makes me stronger. Albert Camus

Since this year began I have worked for weight loss and improved performance for bike riding. I rode in 4 centuries and 6 metric centuries. I rode the Cheaha Challenge. That was the most difficult thing I have ever done. In June, I acquired a tandem bike and Bev and I began riding together. Since then, I have hardly missed a day of riding. Although we don't cover that many miles, the effort is there. I find myself tired a lot these days. I have lost no more pounds but have lost more inches. I do find that I can get more work out of myself. Where I used to go ride 30 miles and come home to lie on the couch, I can come home and get busy working on the yard or haul 10 wheelbarrow loads of soil to the upper side of the house. So I believe in a very true sense, I am stronger. But in an equally true sense, I am weak! I have lost muscle mass since I began my program in January. I am in need of a strength training regimen. Right now that is impossible. I haven't any more time for exercise. My plan is to take Bev riding and help her fitness improve so we can ride the Bike Safari come April of 2007. She is ready right now and would surprise herself if we were leaving tomorrow. By April she will be really fit and ready for any length ride except maybe the 100. That is a long time in the saddle. I can see some changes in her form already. Nothing major yet but some subtle change none the less. It will take more than a few months to effect the kind of change that makes you take notice. But it will come.

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