My experience with the Art of Motorcycling is about self discovery and exploring new places as well as rediscovering old places. Lately, a shift is happening for me both physically and emotionally. When I started my fitness journey about a month ago, it was grounded on getting fit to ride my motorcycle longer and feel stronger during rides. While that is happening, what I didn’t expect, is that my fitness journey is becoming much more than just getting fit for motorcycling. My fitness journey is transforming my life day by day. This past July I setup my first home gym in my mom’s backyard. It is perfect! I purchased some equipment and started working out for about 10 minutes until I had to stop. A few weeks later, I am now working out up to 30 minutes and I am using my entire body to help me get in the best shape of my life. Not each workout is 30 minutes but I am consistently working out multiple days during the week with durations well past 10 minutes. This feels amazing. My fitness journey is taking shape and getting me into shape as well.
Through this experience of pushing myself to the point where I feel I might pass out, I have discovered an inner strength I didn’t know I possessed. The past four weeks I have challenged myself to get up early, before dawn, and workout before I head to the office. I have even developed quick ten minute explosive workouts during office hours so I don’t have to wait until I get home to work up a sweat. Doing workouts in the Charleston heat and humidity is both difficult and painful. But through this experience I have developed a deep passion for working out in the outdoors. Maybe its reliving Rocky 4, when Rocky went to Russian and trained in a harsh environment, that I thrive on the environment awakening my spirit each day that has caused me to find my inner strength. Something I have always possessed but didn’t really tap into until now. Today, I am stronger physically and emotionally than I have been in years. There is a specific confidence that comes from training in the outdoors that leaves me feeling so at peace after a workout. I absolutely love it!
Early this morning, on a Friday, I cranked up Lucy, my Triumph Speed Twin 900, for the first time in over a week. And after a great week of working out. I wanted to see how my workouts have translated to my other passion, motorcycling. Within a few minutes of riding, a calm, magical feeling took over me. I felt relaxed, mind sharp, focus deep, and concentration strong. My body felt alive, and the few weeks of working out with kettlebells really allowed me to control Lucy in ways I had not felt before. “Who is riding this thing?”, I said myself with a laugh. The commute to work was sublime. Errors were few and I didn’t feel tried at all. I arrived at the office in one piece, as well as Lucy, and applauded myself at the cool, calm, collective demeanor I possessed throughout the ride. Definitely looking forward to the commute ride home and will tap into my inner strength again. Sure, I don’t motorcycle as much as I have earlier this year. For one, the weather is a bit crazy with extreme heat and humidity plus downpours in the afternoon. Yet, today was eye opening at how much working out is improving all aspects of my life. I am so proud of myself for taking this step and putting the work in. It is only the beginning of my fitness journey, but finding my inner strength now will keep me going for the rest of the year. So, listen to your inner voice when it stays take a walk outside and see what will happen for you. Maybe like me, you will buy a punching bag and let out all your frustrations and feel so much better about yourself afterwards.
Rolf