First ride of the year. Also, first ride in 3 years without pain.

On Sunday, I went for a bike ride. And it was awesome. It was very short - perhaps 30 minutes. It was mostly gravel trail, with a bit of single-track and some nice rooty climbing, so it was super easy. But it was perfect. Perfect because my leg didn't hurt within five minutes (which is its usual habit) and even perfect-er because it didn't hurt after 30 minutes, or the next day either.  It truly was the first ride I have had in three years that didn't hurt in any way. Which, on Sunday, was nearly tear-inducing - but ended up being beer-inducing, which is to say, I celebrated  in the sunshine with a cold bottle of, well, beer. 

And, even better, on Monday morning, I had a great workout, which involved split squats and glute bridges and hamstring curls and other exercises which would have ordinarily caused serious leg complaints following a ride (or run) - but didn't - which was cause for more celebration. This time without beer (workday, after all).

I am hopeful. 

I am, actually, more than hopeful. I am energized. I am totally thrilled to have found a way back into biking - which I really must credit to the workouts designed by Steve Neal. His insistence on perfect form and on developing genuine core and hip stability seem to have made all the difference. 

And so today I am going for (oh me oh my) another bike ride. Similar to Sunday's ride (in fact, probably identical). My toes are crossed that it will be another pain-free ride.