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Blog Entry 2 of 31 The Ridden Word

Raised in Indianapolis, but moved to Colorado in 1986 - practically a native. An avid cyclist, wannabe writer and musician, I enjoy a great life with my wife, Dena, and two incredible kids - Katie and Holden. This blog reflects the things that are important, amusing, or frustrating to me. In no particular order; family, music, art, community, travel, the workplace, the great sport of cycling, and the Lance Armstrong Foundation. While I'm convinced that most blogs are merely cathartic and not widely read, I hope the handful of folks who might take a look at my drivel enjoy it. Please feel free to leave a comment or two about what you read!

Blog Url: http://denver.yourhub.com/~brianphillips

Balancing Family Time With Fitness

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Contributed by: Brian Phillips on 3/25/2006

What's more frustrating than attending a 3-year-old's birthday party on a beautiful spring day?

Not much if you're a cyclist. That was me today - chomping at the bit to get out and put in some tough miles but completely held hostage while I witnessed runny noses, screaming fits, and a failed attempt at demolishing a pinata. At least I got to talk cycling with one of the other dads, so it wasn't a total loss.

So we got home with enough time for me to squeeze in a ferocious hour of pedaling into the increasing afternoon wind gusts before my wife had to leave for her part time job. In cyclist terms, an hour is not much time in the saddle, but these days I take it whereI can get it and make the most of my time on the bike.

I think that as a parent, that's the best you can do when trying to maintain fitness. Squeeze it in when you can, maximize your workout, and be happy with that. It's hard to keep from thinking "yeah, but competitive cyclists get in at least 3 hours a day on an easy day", but that's where reality comes in. For me the sport can't be about competing much these days. It has to be about tackling it with all my soul when I get the opportunity to do so. If I smoke someone up a hill, or blaze past a guy with a kid carrier, or make my friends hurt, then hey -- those are my small victories.

That's life as a rider with a family I guess. The goal is no longer being the ace in a club ride, but rather just trying to stay fit so I can live long enough to see my kids grow up. Maybe that birthday party was what it's all about after all. Honestly, I didn't really mind watching a bunch of 3-year-olds duke it out. It's really pretty comical to watch them learn about life and how to deal with others. Putting your own fitness aspirations in perspective with real life is key. I got my hour of heart pounding thrill in, and man I was glad to see my little ones when I got home. Hmm....that kid carrier idea isn't such a bad idea.

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Brian Phillips

Highlands Ranch , CO

Brian Phillips has posted 31 blog entries and 14 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. Brian Phillips 's average blog rating is 5.

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