Feats of Endurance
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Again today, the weather was crisp, cold and clear, with a slight northwesterly breeze which meant the temperatures were kept down. This was the third day of three tailor-made for bike riding. David, Jools and I met near Saintfield and rode out towards the Dromore hills, formed thousands of years ago during the ice age by retreating glaciers leaving countless drumlins in its wake. Apparently County Down was covered in mile high ice.
For bike riders it makes ideal natural interval training. Short, steep rises and sharp downhills before turning up again. Just brilliant. At the highest point we could see the clear across the sea to the mountains in Scotland and the suburbs of Belfast and the glorious Mourne Mountains. Honestly, these last three days have had me revelling in being alive and active.
Anyway, we covered 32 miles of stiff riding, and I rode the last three miles of rolling hills in the big ring (the mechanics of the bike weren’t working well all day). If you know anything about bikes you’ll know that means the hardest gearing for that terrain. But I felt strong.
Nobody in my family could do this. I know that without a doubt. My wife couldn’t. My kids couldn’t. I’m not so old that that they can outdo me in endurance sports.
At least I thought that until today.
Today my 8 year old son, Christopher did a swimming challenge in his school. Now he’s not known as a swimmer, spending, maybe an hour a week in the pool. But today, my fishy son swam ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY LENGTHS of a 25 metre pool. Yes, 120 lengths. That’s 2 miles in total.
I know, without fear of contradiction, I couldn’t do that. In fact, I doubt I have even swum a total of 120 lengths in my whole life.
I am truly astounded by his grit and determination.