People are often labelled overnight successes. It’s rarely that quick or easy.

I was with a friend at the weekend: I rode there, we pedaled together on Saturday to lunch, and I cycled back yesterday.

We have known each other for thirty years and have completed many riding adventures.  But as we talked over coffee before I left for home I found out some disturbing news. My level of fitness has become a problem. 

He said it made him feel inadiguate and old because I found our trip easy, and he’d need a couple of days to recover.

Another friend of the same length told him he felt a similar way.

I’ve never pushed the pace or criticised their fitness or abilities. We have always kept it inclusive, or so I thought.

This revelation would be bad enough if it weren’t tinged with what I felt as some resentment. I’m really not sure how to deal with this, or what I should do.

The impression I got was that I was capable of more than they could achieve, and that this meant it was a little unfair.

I try very hard not to make too much of my stamina and strength; my blogs don’t often mention miles, power or speed. They are just about what I do and think.

How am I able to do what I do? How quickly was it achieved? How easy was it? How do I maintain it?

Perseverance.

It’s taken many years.

Not very; many times I nearly stopped. Or had to push myself to continue.

To be honest this is the slightly easier part. I like being healthy and fit.

People I know have done better than me in other areas of life. I don’t resent them their rewards. I saw that they put more effort into it. I chose not to.