Posted this in the PLM (patientslikeme.com) forum today

The end of this story is the most important part, if you want to skip ahead.

I've been sedentary for a very long time, and just started biking in the middle of May on a recumbent exercise bike. I knew I was going to be home full time (permanent layoff) starting in June, so I started increasing my biking distance. I eased up very gradually - it took me 3 weeks to go over 1.5 miles in a session. Even up until last week I hadn't done more than 5 miles in a session. I was getting frustrated, I knew I was getting stronger and more stamina, but I wanted to be able to pick up my pace.

I was intrigued when I read about the results from tandem bike riding, and I really wanted to be able to do a good run at a higher pedalling rate.

At the same time, I wanted to start running instead of walking - but I hadn't run in years (not even a few steps). I read about the Couch to 5k (c25k) program and thought I'd try that. The first day convinced me that running was not going to be my thing (it HURT!), so I switched the running portions to brisk walks.

I still wasn't able to speed up my biking pace though, in fact - I was slowing down. I needed a new approach. I took the c25k program and applied it to my biking. I turned down the resistance on the bike so I could keep up a higher speed - and when the music was done - I had gone 6.5 miles (at a respectable average pace)! I felt like this combination was going to work for me.

But here's the best part – this morning when I woke up my arm felt significantly less stiff, and it didn't have any tremor. I'm not on any meds yet, but it felt to me like I'd gotten a shot of dopamine. Now I'm so motivated – I did 7 miles on the bike this morning, and my pace was better than yesterday!