My head said "NO"

[gazmercer]

I had been putting off going up the local hill (Well, more of a lump in the road to be honest) because my chest has been giving me some grief recently and mentally I kept telling myself I wouldn't be able to make it to the top (Maybe I was scared because the last time I did it I couldn't breathe when I got to the top)

Tonight I thought "Sod it" I'm gonna try the hill even with tired legs.

Got to the lights at the bottom of the hill, got in a good gear and calmed my breathing down. Hit the hill and pedalled. Got 3/4 of the way up and my head kept saying, you're not gonna make it, this is where you usually stop.

I kept pedalling, chucked the bike in the lowest gear, kept breathing slowly and as if by magic I was at the top. Out of breath, yep! But definitely nowhere as bad as previous attempts.

Isn't it a great feeling when you finally get over the top and your legs don't really feel anywhere near as bad as you were expecting, felt like I could ride forever.

Guess what route I'm taking on the way home from now on.

Oh and because I did the hill I ended up doing 2.5 miles more than I normally would (8.7 instead of 6.2), nothing major but it's cheered me up tonight.

 

[fossyant]

Well done - had the snow gone ?

 

[gaz]

i'm to chicken, i look for the flattest route to work

 

[Tynan]

I frequently get up them faster than I go down, pacing ...

 

[gazmercer]

Well done - had the snow gone ?

Yep, it turned to rain!

 

[andyfromotley]

nice effort, on the boardman gaz?

 

[threefingerjoe]

I know what you mean about the hill. My commute ends at the top of a big, steep hill. The first time I rode it, (after not riding much for many years) I made the mistake of stopping and going straight into the locker room immediately. I thought I was going to pass out! It took me a good half hour to recover. Later, I learned that your legs will pump blood, if you keep them moving, so your heart doesn't have to do the whole job of "catching up". Since then, I always take a turn or two around the car park before parking the bike.

 

[mr_hippo]

I was born & brought up in Prescot - which hill was it?
There are a few hills that I had a mental block about but isn't it great when you have conquered them? Some of mine in the area:-
Hall Lane from Cronton to Mill Lane, Rainhill,
Moss Bank, St Helens but Billinge Lump was no problem.
A56 Frodsham starting at the lights at the Bear's Paw and heading towards Runcorn.
A bit further afield - the Ewloe.
Many years ago when there were a lot less cars on the road and no M57 roundabout, a few of us would go bombing down Prescot Hill from Hope Street, stop pedalling at the Manchester Road junction and see how far we would get before we stopped. I think the furthest that I ever got was Brook Bridge Garage by Huyton Lane!

 

[BentMikey]

Well done!

 

[gazmercer]

nice effort, on the boardman gaz?

Yeah, on the Boardman. Think the MTB will be relegated to emergency duties only.

 

[gazmercer]

I was born & brought up in Prescot - which hill was it?
There are a few hills that I had a mental block about but isn't it great when you have conquered them? Some of mine in the area:-
Hall Lane from Cronton to Mill Lane, Rainhill,
Moss Bank, St Helens but Billinge Lump was no problem.
A56 Frodsham starting at the lights at the Bear's Paw and heading towards Runcorn.
A bit further afield - the Ewloe.
Many years ago when there were a lot less cars on the road and no M57 roundabout, a few of us would go bombing down Prescot Hill from Hope Street, stop pedalling at the Manchester Road junction and see how far we would get before we stopped. I think the furthest that I ever got was Brook Bridge Garage by Huyton Lane!

Hall Lane I just recently managed without stopping, the only problem I have with that hill is the Give Way at the top.

The hill I managed last night was the one you mention, High Street/Hope Street. It's great fun to go down it, I reached 30mph on it yesterday morning and was willing the lights to stay green.

Billinge lump is gonna be my next one to try and I'm sure I've attempted the Frodsham-Runcorn one you mentioned.

Good to speak to a fellow (ex) prescotian.

 

[HobbesChoice]

I think it's a big deal if your head has given up but your body carries on going. Your body will often just listen to your head and stop moving, so an extra well done for pushing past that too.

 

[gazmercer]

Mwahahahaha, that hill is mine now, LOL.

Did it again this morning even though my legs were quite fatigued, kept my breath steady all the way up. Started at 8mph, lowest gear on the Boardman. 3/4 of the way up took a really deep breath, dropped down to 6mph and pushed. YAY, over the top and breathing still quite steady.

So I ended up doing the 10miles again. I'm looking now at somehow extending my commute again.

I'm happy again now and feeling my confidence building up again.