Cycling

Today, after completing my first final (wahoo for the end of ManEc!) I visited the gym in the Smith Fieldhouse for the first time during my career at BYU (or ever, for that matter). Did anyone even know there is a gym there? Completely free and available for use with only the swipe of your BYU ID card. Apparently a lot of people are as uninformed as I (until today, of course), judging on the lack of people in the gym. I'll even admit that I was impressed! Except for the obvious lack of fans for circulation and overhead music, I think my every desire for a gym could be met in the Fieldhouse gym. And, the fact that's it's free makes it all the better. (I know what you're thinking... of all the times to start exercising you pick finals week? Well, what can I say? It's a tried and true fact that the busier you are the more you accomplish.)

Some of you may know me formerly as a runner. Well, I'm here to tell you that I've changed my ways. I am now a cyclist (as opposed to a biker, which is defined as virtually the same thing, but has the connotation of pertaining to motorcycles, which is not the type of cyclist I am). I've decided to pick up cycling for two reasons:

1. Modern revelation
2. Upcoming family "vacation"

Number 1. Yesterday I spent the afternoon at the temple and read the entire April issue of the New Era (which I would highly recommend for anyone who's name starts with S- or C- and ends in -hannon or -armen). Ha ha, seriously though. The issue is directed towards "beginning daters" and has some sounds advice. Although I had to discount most of it, since I actually am supposed to do things like go on single dates and have a boyfriend, I did take a couple of things to heart. I'll expound on one of those here. The General Young Women's Presidency wrote an article about becoming the person you want to date (and marry). On that list is being physically fit. That bullet point made me stop and think for a minute. I realized, sitting there on the benches of the baptistry, that physical fitness is something I value in a person (specifically boyfriend... ultimately my husband), and thus, I need to make sure I'm physically fit as well! I've definitely made progress this year- improving my diet and my intake of water considerably- but there is undoubtedly room for improvement in the exercise department of my life. And thus we have cycling.



Number 2. A number of members of my family are planning to bike the North Rim of the Grand Canyon this summer. After hiking Rim-to-Rim last year, we realized we just can't get enough of the Grand Canyon and are going to go back! The Grand Canyon represents a sort of "right of passage" for many members of my family, and thus holds deep significance for us all. Now, you may have noticed that the word "vacation" is in quotations up above. I've included an excerpt of my Dad's email, inviting us all on this adventure below to give you a taste of the type of vacations my family takes:

"I suggest you spend a fair amount of time training for the upcoming feat -- lots of aerobics, strength training, and time in the saddle on a mountain bike... As a preparatory ride, the day before, we will meander through the forest along the Arizona Trail for about 40-50 miles just to warm up."

Just to warm up!?!?! Oh man. I'm excited... but I have a lot of work to do... and padded bicycling shorts to purchase. Thus, once again, cycling.

And there you have it. I am a cyclist. I recorded the stats of my ride today below. I have no idea if they are any good or if I'll just embarrass myself by posting them Either way, I plan to improve on them in the next two months, which is all I can ask for.

Date: 16 April 2010
Time: 30 minutes
Resistance Level: 3 and 4
Calories: 185
Distance: 6.26 miles

Oh, and lastly. After actually going to the gym for the first time, I've come up with a third reason to frequent the place:

3. Priceless entertainment value

Maybe sometime I'll have to write about the amazing people-watching opportunities afforded at the gym, especially when working out on the stationary bike. Speaking of which, anyone have suggestions for good work-out music?