On the Road Again

Finally made it out on a bike again today.  The weather was beautiful and clear, and very cool but not cold.  It was perfect weather to get started biking again after my hiatus.

I took my daughter's Raleigh, and did a hybrid commute on the bus.  I had an appointment this morning at KMH, as I mentioned before.  I figured the bike would get me to the bus stop faster, and also I could toodle around town a bit if I wanted, and not be stuck just with bus routes.

Turns out I had the right day and time, but the wrong week for my appointment.  I'm supposed to see them NEXT Tuesday.  (sigh)

Well, I took the opportunity to get some exersize in anyway.  I biked home from KMH.  It's about the same distance as Fred Meyer, and it is mostly in the downhill direction, so I figured it would be a good bit of fresh air and light exersize.

I am surprised at how really truly exhausting it was.  Riding a light bike, with no luggage, often downhill on a clear cool day, and I STILL needed a good hour of resting in front of a fan before I began to feel normal again.  It's sad how easy it is to lose whatever fitness I'd gained.

The good thing is that I also know how easy it is to gain fitness back, once you've lost it a bit.  I know that as tough as today felt, if I go out again daily for the rest of this week, even for just a few gentle laps around the parking lot, my fitness will bounce back very close to where it was a few weeks ago.

My depression seems a lot less crushing for the past couple of days.  I don't know what has made the switch.  I've begun doing creative things again, like sewing and baking.  I don't feel as high-strung and fragile as I did before.

I'm still going to keep my appointment at KMH next week.  Obviously my emotions are still pretty volatile.  Maybe I don't need medicine, and maybe I do.  What I really want is just for things to smooth out.  Where I am right now is okay, but I don't have strong faith that I'll STAY here.  I want to be sure I have the support around me to keep me grounded and balanced.

Starting up bicycling again is a very positive step, though.  I'm glad I was able to do that much.