I created a mental check list of places I wanted to bike during my last few months living in Germany, and I have officially completed this list. Anything else is extra, and at this point I am feeling a bit ambivalent about biking long distances. It’s not that I don’t enjoy my long bike rides, they have been indescribably wonderful, but I found myself feeling a bit dogmatic with regard to biking.
I had to go far, or the bike ride wasn’t “worthy.” How quickly I can fall back into addictive behaviors that damage both my physical and mental wellbeing.
I am thankful for my ability to recognize this behavior, but I usually have to slip off track momentarily to noice. I went for a bike ride a few weeks ago to a town called Mittenwald, when I noticed my motives for the bike ride were skewed. I didn’t want to bike to Mittenwald so I could see the town, I had seen it twice prior, I wanted to bike to Mittenwald to challenge myself physically.
A physical challenge in and of itself is by no means a negative desire, however the day I chose to embark on this adventure was a day I wasn’t feeling my best. It was a day I should have listened better to my body telling me she was tired, and that she didn’t want to go for a long bike ride. It was a day I ate too much peanut butter with my breakfast – and suddenly my inner food critic began screaming at me to move my body.
I sometimes wonder if the little disordered devil on my shoulder will ever fully retire, or if I will always have recurring thoughts of needing to “make up” for something I have eaten through exercise. I am lightyears away from where I used to be, but I still struggle sometimes. For most people, having a dedicated workout routine is sought after, it’s praised, but for me it can be more destructive for my body because I push too hard.
Alas, the anxiety of stillness kicked in, and off I went.
The ride to Mittenwald was beautiful. I rode on new bike paths I hadn’t seen before, and I felt the surge of energy I get when I find new landscapes. This was great for a while, but at one point the distance of this bike ride proved to be further than I expected. I began feeling fatigued, but I didn’t want to quit. I felt like biking far had become my “go to” while I was on leave from work. What else was I going to do with my day?
Heaven forbid I actually just…rest.
The first time I visited Mittenwald was March 2019. I attended a Fasching celebration that was supposed to be family friendly, yet I found myself terrified by the children running around cracking whips in traditional Fasching masks.
I did however enjoy the most elaborate tea experience including a tea light and a timer.
The second time I visited Mittenwald was December 2019. I came for their Christkindlmarkt, where I drank a glass of Glühwein, ate goulash out of a bread bowl, and split eine bratwurst mit mein Freund. All in less than an hour. I didn’t feel so hot after.
This bike ride was the third time I visited Mittenwald. It took me four hours round trip to bike 37 miles, with 2935ft of elevation gain (kill me.) What I got this day was attacked by the above pictured cat and a raging post bike ride headache. It’s safe to say Mittenwald and I have a love hate relationship, and third time was not the charm.
I love the beauty of the town, but hate how my body feels every time I leave (my own doing. Except the creepy kids.)
I never regret a bike ride, they always show me new places and/or teach me something. I had to learn an uncomfortable lesson on the ride home. I chose to bike back a different route, which ended up taking me higher in elevation than the route I took into Mittenwald. I was annoyed, exhausted, and anxious.
I knew I had pushed my body too hard and I was scared of the repercussions (I really hate feeling out of commission for days.) These thoughts made it difficult to enjoy the surrounding views as I was biking home. I took an amazing bike path, with endless rolling hills, but I was so preoccupied with my mind I had a hard time stopping to smell the roses.
Not to mention my body kept telling me “I told you so” when I was struggling up the hills.
I had to dig deep into the mind over matter thought process to get myself back home. I told myself on this ride, that I was done biking just to bike. I need to ensure I feel well enough to endure the miles, and I need to ensure my mind is well enough to appreciate the discoveries. I don’t regret biking to Mittenwald, but I do wish I had waited until I was in a better physical and mental space before I did it.
My headache lasted nearly 24 hours, which was to be expected (despite drinking extra water.) My fatigue was at a high the next few days, but I made sure to rest. I sometimes forget that I will never be able to live my life the way I used to when I was elevating my heart rate to its max capacity all the time.
I took about three weeks off from riding longer distances after this ride. I know my happy place is somewhere between 15-35 miles at one time. I have also resumed working, which was a choice I made when I realized my two months of LWOP were starting to come at a cost.
I know myself, and the desire to go, go, go with too much free time is inescapable. I either push myself too far, or I fall prey to negative thoughts.
My time away from work was amazing, and I am thankful for all the adventures I was able to embark on in those two months. My plan for my final few months in Germany is to continue biking, but never to force it. I don’t want biking to become my enemy.
This post is not to say I won’t push myself again before I leave, my human nature makes me akratic at times, it’s just a reminder to myself and anyone who needs to hear it that we remember to listen to our bodies more. I think one long bike ride per week is much more sustainable than every day/every other day. 🙂
Q: Do you ever push your body when you know you should rest? I suppose for “normal” people this wouldn’t be a big deal…but I often ignore that my body is not “normal.”
Blissfulbritt 
26 thoughts on “Mind Over Matter to Mittenwald”
Pam
I don’t push quite as much as I use to, now it’s that every so often and more from the the stand point of I just want this to be over. So my take away is always try to ask myself prior, is this want I want to do or I need to do and why. Keeps me on a better track and my recovery is not as desperate as when I push too hard. Good to recognize when it’s a good day for long ride or better day for shorter ride.
Happy biking 🚵🏽🚵🏽🚵🏽🗻🌅☀️❤️
Brittany
Danke Danke! ❤️ I love your perspective, per usual.
Sheree
Know Mittenwald well! I love all the painted houses.
Brittany
Me too!
rootchopper
Back in my running days I’d run every day thinking I was getting better. Then I learned that by taking a day off every week, my running improved. I was faster, stronger, and had more fun. Which is kind of why I am sitting on my deck on an absolutely perfect day for a bike ride. I’ve ridden 13 days in a row and my body is whipped. (Okay, I did ride 5 miles today but that was to test out new odometer settings and go to the drug store. Honest.)
Listen to your body. It knows things.
Brittany
I love everything about this comment, and it’s so true! Thank you for sharing.
sanju
Brittany, how do you take the pics… Do you carry a professional camera or a cell phone. The pics are so perfect.
Brittany
Wow. That is so kind!! I take all of them on my cell phone!
sanju
Wow, this is very motivating. Which phone.. Is it iPhone.
Brittany
Yes, and it’s just an iPhone 8! I then edit them a bit to brighten, sharpen, and make some of the colors pop. But good photography is 100% possible without a fancy camera.
sanju
Well said, I just the full read. I agree doing biking after gaps is much more enjoyable and sustainable. Good write up. I wish I could write like you.
Brittany
Thank you, that’s very kind to say!
carolinehelbig
I’m envious of you living in Germany, and in such a beautiful (and hilly) place. We loved cycling in Germany but have so far chosen relatively flat routes. Enjoy the rides during your remaining time there!
Brittany
I LOVE where I live right now, I will be sad to leave. It has been an amazing year and a half.
Josh dV
I push myself ALL-THE-TIME. Rest is hard for me. I mean, I an relax and do nothing with the best of them but resting from running or exercise is difficult. When I go out for an easy run it rarely stays that way.
I’m currently ‘recovering’ from a foot/leg injury that has lingered for months. It has lingered because I don’t take the time off I need! If I just stayed off it I’d probably be running again already instead of wishing my mileage was higher.
Brittany
You are a beast when it comes to running, and I never rested either when I used to run. I would feel guilty if I did. Thankfully those days are fewer, but it can still be so hard to rest!
Alas, our bodies always talk to us. Even in the form of injury. I hope you have a smooth rest of your recovery, REST.
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
I get you, yes. I totally get the push because you don’t want to get lazy or loose your fitness gains. But a secret more people have told me is that rest is part of working out. How else can muscle build, blood detoxify and oxygen replenish things. That is just the physical part of us.
I hope you find success and joy on your journey.
Thanks, Gary
Brittany
I like your perspective on this, specifically when you said: “how else can muscle build, blood detoxify, and oxygen replenish things.”
Amy
Oh my gosh girl — “the anxiety of stillness” — that is SO real!! I was just thinking a day or two ago about how hard it’s been lately (especially in the new virus-related lifestyle) for me to just s-l-o-w down and be. Not trying to be so productive, not trying to catch up on work, not trying to avoid falling behind… But just be. Without technology or anything else as a distraction. It’s so. freaking. hard!!! I used to be a lot better at it… So I’m guessing the Universe is sending a reminder to me through your post that this is something I need to focus on right now. Because my body isn’t too happy with me either. 😉 I’m SO proud of you for recognizing what your body is saying — that’s the hardest part!! And it’s always truly inspiring to see how honest and open you are about your experiences. Thank you for sharing these amazing reminders with us, Brittany!! ❤️
Brittany
Shutting down and just sitting in the moment is by far one of the hardest things to do. So you’re not alone in that struggle! No matter what the looming thoughts of “but I could/should do this or that” are always there! Harder for you as a blogger I’m sure.
Our bodies know best though, so give yourself some grace and kindness. We only get one body!
Amy
Oh man, you are SO preaching to the choir right now!! I literally just said the same thing to myself earlier today. Maybe we’re the same person with the same brain, just split into two different bodies?… 😉❤️
Brittany
I think we really are! ❤️❤️
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Angelilie
I really like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon.
Brittany
Danke!
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