My husband and I have signed up to go on a 7 day bicyling trip in March with a group of friends. I'm looking forward to it! I'm excited! I'm . . . out of shape. And did I mention that I can't remember the last time I perched my broad, lumpy butt on a bicycle seat? (For verification of this description of my derierre, see my earlier post 'In Support of Broad Lumpy Butts: A ReBUTTal') And I am not the most coordinated of individuals. I once fractured my ankle stepping off a mat at the old lady gym. (See my post about the old lady gym, here)
So why did I agree to do this, you might ask? Is it desperate middle aged effort to prove I can still do athletic things? I don't think so; I wasn't athletic in my 20's so there's no "still" to prove. It just sounds like fun! An adventure! A new challenge! (Read about why I think new challenges are 'The Secret to Staying Young' here)
What the hay? I'm going for it.
To prepare for my middle-aged macho mission, I've been faithfully walking my dogs and hitting the yoga 3 days a week(see my earlier post 'Yo-Yoga!'), and on the alternating 3 days I've started going back to the old lady gym. While all of this should help to condition my body for the trip, I feel I must also reacquaint myself with a bicycle. So it's back in the saddle again for me -- the "saddle" being a bicycle seat. My sister-in-law loaned me her old mountain bike for practice runs. It needs a bit of sprucing up, which my husband is going to do. He's borrowing a practice cycle for himself from a friend and we'll soon be hitting the pavement. (With the tires rather than our bodies, I hope. I'm starting to have flashbacks to a childhood filled with skinned shins and gravel in my knees.)
I'll keep you posted on my progress. Meanwhile, wish me luck...
So why did I agree to do this, you might ask? Is it desperate middle aged effort to prove I can still do athletic things? I don't think so; I wasn't athletic in my 20's so there's no "still" to prove. It just sounds like fun! An adventure! A new challenge! (Read about why I think new challenges are 'The Secret to Staying Young' here)
What the hay? I'm going for it.
To prepare for my middle-aged macho mission, I've been faithfully walking my dogs and hitting the yoga 3 days a week(see my earlier post 'Yo-Yoga!'), and on the alternating 3 days I've started going back to the old lady gym. While all of this should help to condition my body for the trip, I feel I must also reacquaint myself with a bicycle. So it's back in the saddle again for me -- the "saddle" being a bicycle seat. My sister-in-law loaned me her old mountain bike for practice runs. It needs a bit of sprucing up, which my husband is going to do. He's borrowing a practice cycle for himself from a friend and we'll soon be hitting the pavement. (With the tires rather than our bodies, I hope. I'm starting to have flashbacks to a childhood filled with skinned shins and gravel in my knees.)
I'll keep you posted on my progress. Meanwhile, wish me luck...
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8 comments:
A bike trip...wow! That sounds like torture to me because I can't ride a bike. What is an "old lady" gym? Is it age restricted?
Mary
Hey Mary,
The gym isn't age restricted, but it seems to appeal to women of a certain age. Actually, it's a great place and the women are fantastic! I'm making fun of me, not them. :-)
Jenny
I am visiting from SITS and wanted to say "Good for you!" and "You can do it!"
I am fast approaching 40 and have recently been enticed into getting back into roller skating, which was my favorite activity (sport?) in my younger days. I have continued skating over the years, but moved into in-lines back in the early 90's, and I have not been as consistent. So now, I am skating again every week...and now I am planning to try out for Roller Derby! So, I understand completely your desire to agree to a new adventure, even though you might not quite be sure it is really the best idea. But of course, You Can Do It!
Hey, Curly Que, that is really cool you are going to try out for the roller derby. I think it's great that women are trying new and different things.
Jenny, I know tht gym; I belong to it!! :-) I love "old lady" gyms cause I can wear my "Group Therapy" t-shirt and get a laugh. Mary
Thanks for the vote of encouragement Curly Que! And good for you for skating again!
Jenny
Roller skating was my favorite pass time when I was young, from 13 through 18 my best friend and I would go skating every weekend at the Playmore roller skating rink. It was turned into a bar when I was in my mid-20s and now the building is gone completely. I've tried skating since then, but the cement rinks felt dangerous to me and I don't think there are anymore wooden floor rinks in town. It did make a great dance floor while it lasted as a C&W bar though. In-line skates look dangerous to me too. I'm better off at the old lady gym. But until I get into a certain shape again, I'll stick to the Wii balance board my kids gave me. It's private and free. A bike trip for me, might be a few blocks to the convenience store for a candy bar and a rest before returning home right now.
The discussion has reminded me that I need to do things I've been wanting to do forever and keep putting off. I'm going to make a list.... Maybe we should all do this and support each other with our endeavors.
Mary
Nothing like a goal and a time line to get us to shape up! Good luck!
We will be looking forward to hearing more about all this! One bit of advice, make sure to wear a helmet! My friend actually got knocked off her bike from a falling monkey brain fruit!
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