Super Sets & Stretches…

Strength - Body & Mind

Still on the get strong exercise regime - four weeks in and seeing a difference during rides. Before starting with the PEAK guys I have never touched a bar bell or free weights before. This is making me think about the physicality of being on the other side of fifty.

I somewhat brazenly requested the trainers get me the biggest legs and butt they could in 15 weeks. The trainers were up for the challenge - they were giving me every opportunity to follow their motto #DREAMBIG.

I’ll tell you now, I pride myself in not falling for motivational marketing tactics - but these guys were definitely walking the talk.

Never one for checking the ‘stats’ I have become a little obsessed with beating my best. I’ve been getting that little zing when my email alert notifies me of a new ‘Section PB’. Absolute truth is I didn’t even know what a ‘section’ was. However, I have watched the Olympics, so I know what a PB is. For the pursuit of my goal - getting up hills better - it is a great tool.

I wouldn’t put myself in the comatose, rigid body stuck at a desk all day category. I see myself as relatively fit and healthy but unexpectedly, after squatting and pressing and so forth, I’m feeling muscles I haven’t felt for some time. Realistically (logically) - doing a personalised gym program was always going to get results. However, my 55 year old body we are working with here is my unknown variable.

Six weeks in and a few longer rides later, I’m feeling the success of the muscle-up program. I’m feeling much stronger and more importantly for my purposes, I’m riding stronger for longer. I’m surprised at what the trainers call the ‘activating’ phase and looking forward to ‘consolidating’. Whatever that is?!

Another (also unexpected) but nonetheless very welcome outcome from working with the gym group has been a definite strengthening of mind. My mind over mountain mentality has kicked in. You would think I’m climbing Everest. I’m not. I know. But this is my Everest.