Shopping … bike goes on the list!

While I cycled to and from work daily for 25 years, I had little need for other exercise unless I was preparing for an event and remained fit.  When I retired, I didn’t think much about daily exercise especially as I had stop long distance running, swimming and cycling sometime ago. I did welcome the opportunity not to get to work through all weathers.  I am able to do yoga each day at dawn but that is meant to slow the heart … not get it pumping.

However, as time went on and my daughter returned for a holiday I realised how much I miss the routine (as I have with other aspects of ‘going’ to work) and I was not feeling fit; mentally or physically.  I don’t think that exercise per se is the cure all; I am a fit lady;  my mental disorder is not cured by a daily stroll!

Nonetheless, I was missing something.

So while me and my girl were together we walked, ran and cycled (not all at once) most days. We hoped to do longer distances by time was not available.  

So, the seed was planted and I am planning to get back up to speed. No great shakes, ( I do have the ‘T’ shirts and nothing to prove); but I will try and incorporate cycling and walking trips with other activities.  Yesterday, I walked to the centre of Reading by the canal and Thames, to buy sewing cotton and attend the acupuncture clinic; on the the way back via the alleys and backstreets for lunch in my favourite pit stop and then to pick up some marigold petals and chamomile from the Herbalist. Job done in a mere 3 or 4 miles!

Today, I am taking the bike out of town eastwards in search of organic oranges; I know they don’t grow on trees here in Reading, but I may have tracked down a supplier and the journey will save the postage.  I am sure there will be some pleasant pit stops so I ‘don’t get famished’ before tea!