Bicycle Commuting Mama: Feeling Good. Except Where I Hurt.

I had a great ride to and from work today!  I was surprised, because I’d been having such a hard time back in the fall.  Aside from my frequent mechanical failures, I often felt like I was struggling just to keep the bike moving.  Small hills nearly had me in tears.  And in the evenings, I collapsed, unable to pull myself out of my chair to do anything for my family.

Today’s commute was easy.  All I can figure is that my body got plenty of rest over the winter break, while at the same time I stayed fairly active by walking, doing housework, and shoveling snow.  I didn’t once feel like I wasn’t going to make it, even with my youngest in the back seat, and on the little hill just before I get to work.

Speaking of carrying kids, Melissa Lion and I were tweeting the other day about being Hard Core Bicycling Mamas.  Melissa, I’m afraid we’re not going to cut it.  These women totally outclass us in the Hard Core department (although I don’t know whether they technically qualify as Mamas).

Now that I’m home, I am finding that my body hurts.  I could use a serious back massage.  I don’t think it’s related to cycling, though.  I think it might have more to do with working at a desk and stuff for the first time in two and a half weeks.  There’s something about hunching over a laptop that just isn’t good for the shoulders.  It’s a LAPtop!  You’re supposed to sit in the recliner with your knees up and tuck it in between your stomach and thighs, right?  Yep, I really need to work from home.