6 April 2017

Do Muscles Have Memories?

cycling clobber

Do muscles have memories?  If they do then mine have got amnesia. I was hoping that the only pain I would feel was struggling to zip up my cycling suit this morning.  Alas no.
 
“Can we just cycle down the hill and back?”
“No, we are going to do the Pouget route. It’s only 13 kms and according to my records we cycled it on the 13th April last year in 47 minutes and 59 seconds.”

Paul loves his details and statistics and particularly MapMyRide - an app on his ‘phone.  It is quite interesting to monitor our progress but sometimes it’s just too much for me. I squeezed into my lycra gear and felt quite the sporting hero as I donned helmet and gloves and trotted across the courtyard to my bicycle.  Everything was going swimmingly until we reached the first incline.  Suddenly my legs felt leaden and it was like cycling through treacle towing a trailer load of bricks.  Paul was very patient and waited for me to catch up.  I was totally unable to climb the Scramble hills and had to dismount and walk up.  Oh the shame.  My legs just wouldn't work.  I even had to drop down to my smallest gear to get up the final easy climb home.  I was very despondent.  I was certainly paying the price for seven months of doing nothing more strenuous than walking Buddy.
 
I staggered back up the steps and collapsed in a heap in the kitchen.  Paul checked his data.  “Two minutes faster than this time last year” he crowed.  I was dumbfounded.  I can’t possibly see how that can be correct.  He’s already planning tomorrow’s route.

can you imagine how hard it is squeezing into these leggings?





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14 comments:

  1. Rachel Phillips6 April 2017 at 20:17

    I would have rested after putting the gear on.

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    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 13:02

      It was even harder getting it off again.

      Delete
  2. Chris6 April 2017 at 22:31

    I loved your description of "cycling through treacle with a load of bricks...". That's exactly why I put my bike away for good! The knees couldn't take it. Congratulations on beating last year's time.

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    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 13:03

      Slower today, it's so tough right now.

      Delete
  3. coffeeontheporchwithme7 April 2017 at 00:21

    Way to get out there and do it!! There are many who wouldn't even have left the house! -Jenn

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    Replies
    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 13:04

      It would be so much easier to stay in bed.

      Delete
  4. Cro Magnon7 April 2017 at 05:03

    Long walks for me; bad knee. I'm off to Villeneuve today. No hills between Fumel and Villeneuve, it would have been ideal for my style of cycling but I've even given my bike away.

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    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 13:05

      I've been trying to persuade Paul to take the bikes to Fumel (by car) and then explore the railway line towards Villeneuve, I'm assuming it would be fairly flat.

      Delete
  5. potty7 April 2017 at 08:22

    That's a cool dude of a cycling dog.

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    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 13:06

      Closest thing I've got to a real dog at the moment. Girls bought it for me years ago.

      Delete
  6. Coppa's girl7 April 2017 at 16:35

    I must admit that I would have waved him a cheery good bye from the doorstep, with a promise that the kettle would be on when he arrived home !
    I much prefer walking, but a bad fall on a mountain walk has scuppered my knee, and arthritis has claimed my hip, so now I just limp round two or three times a day with the dog. Much more sociable.

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    1. Sue7 April 2017 at 18:12

      It's tempting to stay at home but it's the only exercise I can do that doesn't wreck my hips. I'm hoping in a week or so I shall be finding it a bit easier and enjoying the rides again.

      Delete
  7. Helsie8 April 2017 at 07:02

    You have my greatest admiration !

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