I have just had a great time out riding in the sun today. No I have not lost my marbles. I am just penning this post to reflect on how even just one day of strenuous exercise can change one's state of mind.
Me with my SPF 50 sunscreen, helmet and gloves
The last few weeks has been strenuous both mentally and physically. As I approach the 6()_ year of life in a months time, I have noticed certain ostensible changes in my health, and am taking many steps to arrest the decline in physical health.
1. Tiredness - I force myself to walk (up to one hour) every evening for digestion as well as to boost cardio vascular circulation.
2. Flexibility - I had a bad LCL pull just 2 weeks ago and had to go for Chinese Tui Na or physiotherapy which entailed using moxibustion (burning of dried moxa) to deliver heat and stimulate energy flow. In addition, I went to see a Chinese sinseh who did some massive pulls on my leg to alingn them. Yes.
One key takeaway for me. I need to exercise, or run. This is like breathing well to me. I know there will be a time when I can't run and I am looking at alternatives to this exercise which I have been participating these last 30 odd years and not a single one comes close to giving me the endorphin 'high' which running has done for me.
Back to today, I started my bicycle ride at roughly 10.30 am. I went at a rather fast pace and made it almost 3 / 4 to Changi Village. The sun was shining in the sky, the sky was blue with some cirrus clouds, the sea was a gorgeous greenish blue and there were birds chirping in the distance.
The ride up to near Changi village was near perfect. There were only a few bicycles I overtook and a couple on road bikes who overtook me. I'm chill to the fact that at this age, being alive is more important than being fast. Enjoying the beautiful sunny environment with nice cool sea breeze is such a privilege.
I recall a run similar on my birthday last year. I did 8 km at East Coast Park, starting at around 10 am and ran 4 km up and 4 km back from B1 carpark. As I was making my way back at the 7km mark, I recall just wondering, why am I running and baking in the hot blazing sun ? The sheer absurdity of it all, but I needed to be alone with my thoughts, and not to be inundated with the numerous well wishes from all the social media,LinkedIn, whatsapp, phone calls, FB and Wechat.
My birthday belongs to me. Just as when I was born and when I do leave this earth, it is a solo trip and all my cognizant thoughts about my ride here on earth will go with me.
So last year, at the 7 km mark, in the bright sunshine I stopped. And walked to a stone table and bench facing the sea and just lay down, in all my sweat. I was so happy - alone - and in my own endorphin charged state, I lay down, closed my eyes and thanked God for my life.
I meditated for a good 15 minutes, being still and listening to the crashing waves just less than 100 feet from me. A small squirrel saw me, and made some grunting noise. He was obviously hungry. I picked up some nut which fell from the tree and threw it to him. He came down close by, gave the nut a smell and attempted to gnaw at it. I felt a sense of calm that on my birthday my time truly belongs to me and to no one else.
That interaction with the squirrel and nature on that bright sunny day comes back to me today.
I feel the same sense of calm.
I finished by near 3 hours ride up to the 3 / 4 mark to Changi Village and back. I stopped several times by the picture perfect seascape, rested, and sat with my knees in lotus position.And meditated.
I listened to the waves, the birds chirping and the sea breeze. Occasionally I would hear the roar of the aircraft flying overhead every 10 minutes. There were ships in the azure blue sea in the distant horizon, and something like 3 to 4 windsurfers doing their thing. I was where I wanted to be.
It was indeed a perfect day.
And I Seized It.
