I know it seems kind of weird and
stupid, this being primarily a biking blog, but I’m so burned out on bikes, and
have been for months now, that sometimes even looking at all my bikes on their wall
rack makes me want to scream. I’m not sure why. There’s nothing more liberating
than the feel of the wind on my face and through my short hair (through helmet
vents, of course,) or of riding over an obstacle or barrier I couldn’t before. Bikes
have enabled me to meet awesome new people from all over the country as well as
in my adopted hometown; and to experience wilderness areas I never thought I’d
be able to see, much less under my own leg and lung power. I take a lot of
pride and strength in the fact that I was able to overcome a lot of physical,
mental and social problems I had been suffering from, just by riding bikes. I
enjoy pushing myself at the occasional race. I try not to take myself too
seriously.
So I don’t know why
bikes have not been making me happy lately.
Maybe it’s because I
feel that bike people are always trying to sell me something. Maybe it’s
because bikes are such a social activity and I’m really not a very social (or
nice, for that matter) person. Maybe it’s the idea I get in my head that nothing
(me, my skill level, my bikes and my choices of equipment) are ever good
enough.
Enter the
kettlebell. I was telling my friend Jeremy (who incidentally was the guy who
got me both into cyclocross and into single-speeding) about my epic bike
burnout and how I needed to try something else to start meeting my physical and
psychic goals. He’s an Olympic lifter and girevik (kettlebell lifter) and
recommended I try it… I was immediately hooked. Kettlebell seemed to be the
total opposite of bike riding. While medals and awards in competitions are given
based on my performance in relation to other gireviks, the ranking system is
based on how many lifts I can manage to do in the allotted time, so it’s a lot
easier for me not to notice the other people. Everybody is given a regulation-issue
bell, there are no technological advantages (or conversely, technology to
fail.) All external variables on the platform are mostly controlled for. The
longer lift cycles are so painful and shitty (and while short, seem like they
drag on FOREVER) that it’s nice to quiet the mind and not let the negative
thoughts take over. I don’t need to find a babysitter or jockey for ride time with
my husband. It’s just lifting heavy shit
and the simplicity of that makes my brain feel good.
(Quads for days.)
(Weapons of choice.)
So I’ve been
training really hard for kettlebell competition and have already moved up to
Rank 1 for my weight class and lifts. I’m currently training on the double-bell
jerk because women were only allowed that lift in competition since last year,
and I think that’s pretty tough. I’m trying to not to set really tangible goals
because I’ll feel like a failure if I don’t make them, so I’m just trying to
work hard, improve at my own pace, and have fun. Looking forward to hitting up
the International Holiday Invitational in New Jersey next month, wish me luck!
So yeah, for the
time being I’m dialing back on my biking, trying not to register for so many
damn races (that part is hard,) focusing on having fun, and spending more time
with my awesome menfolk.
...at the
Childrens’ Museum
(Trying to keep up with this little dude for three hours is a workout in and of itself...)
...and bottling beer
(Pumpkin brown ale bottled and hopefully ready by Thanksgiving!)
...and doing yoga
(Sun Salutation I.)
I'm taking a few days off and crossing my fingers that absence makes the heart grow fonder.