Everyone has probably heard a grandparent or parent use that expression to describe their hike to and from school each day or maybe an arduous journey to and from work (in the coal mines). I always knew it made very little sense. Until today when I biked to the gym in Ernée.

I know I keep harping on these hills but truly until you are biking or running you don’t notice elevation gains that are slow and punishing. Today, I noticed it was uphill for the first bit of my ride to Ernée and then down hill (this I remembered from coming up the other day). I almost can’t enjoy going down because I know what that inevitably means. It goes by so quickly and it is never as fun as it should be. I am using my gears and getting there eventually.

My children’s father has very developed calf muscles. He has always told us that they came from his childhood biking up and down the steep hill in New Auburn to get donuts. He said he did these rides when he was still young enough to be using a little bike without gears. Apparently he would grit his teeth and pedal his heart out up that hill to get home with his donuts. To this day, the man has enormous calves.

I have to wonder if my efforts will be rewarded similarly. Will I soon look like the Hulk with my calves bulging through my jeans? Is that something I even want? Well, one thing is for sure. You definitely can go up hill both ways.