I don't mind riding my bike trainer; in fact I happen to love it. Yes I do love the fresh air of a mountain or road ride, but I will happily admit feeling at home and very comfortable within the walls of my garage with my very lovely bike trainer. A lot has been accomplished within these walls, and I have never had to worry about being hit by a car or crashing. Not yet at least.

Within these walls I can cover 60-70 miles before my son wakes up, or has just entered dreamland. Silently I am amused that he will just never know about that. He likely will not even care; all he cares is that no time is stolen from him.

Within these walls I can track my progress, wattage, cadence, slope, comparing ride to ride.

I can watch television, which I never do any other time during the year.

I can hop off and pee in the bathroom rather than behind a tree.

I am very convinced that if you can survive a 5 hour indoor ride with no lights, music or scenery, that you can do just about anything. This particular ride I copied from Ironman Champ Peter Reid, and I do once a year, just to see how tough I am. I know it makes me tougher each time.

Swear off nothing, has become my new motto. Live without the rules of I can do this and can't do that. My friends used to say "I can't ride a trainer..." to which I answer, why not? Have you ever wanted something bad enough that you'll learn to do something you don't love? Only to find out later, that it isn't quite as bad as you imagined? Are you strong enough to step outside of yourself; are you willing to take the leap?

Within these walls I have found that there are plenty of reasons to get off the bike, but the reasons for staying on are louder. It has become so that I look forward to my trainer rides. Specific goals for the workout, no phones will ring, the babe is asleep and not knowing... it is a little piece of heaven in a dark grey garage.

It's what you make of it that counts. It's what you imagine it and allow it to be. It's what your heart wants that will drive you. My heart desires a third Ironman Finisher's medal.

That reason is the loudest of all.