I think also sometimes that mental pain can be as bad as physical pain. I have suffered from an anxiety disorder on and off for many years. It recently 'flared up' again over the last few months, and while not exactly a catalyst for me starting to ride again after not riding for several years (that's a whole other story) , I think it gave me the motivation to keep on with it rather than giving up like I always have before with exercise.

I think I realised that the release from the anxiety (and depression) that cycling gives me outweighs the physical 'suffering' that I experience when I really push myself on the bike. It is also teaching me to challenge myself, to do stuff that scares me - I recently got clipless pedals, have fallen over and bruised myself, scabbed elbows, but know that I need to keep doing it until it gets less scary and easier.

One thing I'm not so keen on though - a few weeks ago I had food poisoning and now I find that I feel a bit pukey when I go up a difficult hill. Has only started happening since I got sick. Anyone else had this? Will it maybe go away soon?