It was my longest bike ride so far this summer. We went all the way from home to beyond the Scioto Mile downtown, to the Scioto Audubon Metropark. About 25 miles round trip. I felt strong almost all the way, but I knew that when we turned off the bike path at the Broadmeadows bridge over the Olentangy River, what would remain was a long grueling uphill ride to home.
As we approached the Broadmeadows bridge, I talked to myself. "You've got this! Push through! Finish strong!"
I probably could have made it all the way home without walking. But it also occurred to me that "finish strong" doesn't have to mean "finish without taking a break." Perhaps my finish could be stronger and more satisfying if I got off my bike, stretched a bit, walked a bit, and had a drink of water before I attacked that final hill.
I took a break. And then I really did finish strong. Stronger than if I had tried to slog through without resting.
And there's the lesson. This school year, when it all gets to be too much and what comes next is a grueling uphill climb, let's remember to take a break so that we can get to the top of every hill still feeling strong.
Good point, Mary Lee! Something we forget. Congrats on the 25 mile ride!
ReplyDeleteI'd walk, have a drink or two or three, sit on rock, walk some more, stop for lunch, and then walk the final stretch. As my late mother always said, "slow and steady wins the race." ;-)
ReplyDeleteIt is a lesson to share with your students, too, always good to stop and re-shuffle the cards. That is one long ride!
ReplyDeleteI was at school yesterday from 9:00-8:00. Re-shuffling today with my girl and some retail therapy, lunch out, and the Christopher Robin movie. Thanks ML!
ReplyDeleteLoved this post and the earlier one (which I had missed). I keeping both ideas - celebrate the hill and take a break so you can finish strong.
ReplyDeleteSo true. In biking, teaching, motherhood. In it all!
ReplyDeleteYay for making it to the finish line, with breaks, without breaks, uphill, downhill...
ReplyDeleteYes! So good!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing lesson for us all!! So glad you enjoyed the ride , challenged yourself, and finished strong!!
ReplyDeleteThere's an important life lesson in this bike ride memory, Mary Lee - than you!
ReplyDeleteI love that you're riding this summer, too! And sometimes stronger really does come WITH A BREAK.
ReplyDeleteTo that end... *wanders off to take a nap*
Thanks for this post. It's important to listen to our bodies. One of my favorite lessons from yoga -- we meet ourselves where we are *that day*. No comparison to yesterday or what we hope to accomplish tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is an important reminder, the week before everything goes to full speed. Think I should print this out and put it in the front of my writing notebook or my planbook (yes, I still do keep a paper one) or ????Thank you!
ReplyDeleteYeah, it ain’t the Tour de France. Let cycling wisdom abound this year....
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