62 Plus Two

It’s called a Metric Century (100 kilometers), we call it this year's birthday ride - 62 plus two.

I’m fairly certain that I will never shoot my age in Golf, swim the English Channel, or for that matter ride the Le Tour de France. However, since my 50th birthday, my self-proclaimed yearly goal is to complete a bicycle ride, at least my age in miles, on or near my birthday. Today, August 16, 2020, this olé boy has completed 64 trips around the Sun on this planet we call Earth.

With the advent of Facebook, I’ve been able to proclaim from the mountaintop my proposed goal to all who will listen. Even to those who could care less. This serves two purposes; first, to sustain a foundational fitness level as we get older.

Dr. Dennis Waitley reminds us that our bodies are, “Our transportation vehicle to the future.” Cycling provides an exercise regiment and long-range goals to keep us healthy and motivated.

Second, it challenges me to live up to my commitments in daily activities and relationships.

Busy, irregular schedules make it difficult sometimes, almost impossible, to maintain a fitness program. But come what may, I’m a devoted cyclist.

The fact is, it’s not the ride that’s difficult (provided you properly train). The real challenge is - to Do What You Say you will do.

It’s a disarming thought, always do what you say you will do—simple yet profound. Demonstrating your commitment to integrity. More importantly, it is how you demonstrate dedication to yourself, your family, friends, and your community.

As Socrates said, “Know thyself.”

Well, it’s Sunday morning, I’m up at 5:00 a.m. preparing for our ride; a good breakfast, a shower, stretching, check the air in the tires, clean the chain, and inspect the gears.

Now, what most people don’t realize is my training partner and wife, Lori, is right beside me all the way. She plans our route, reminds me to eat something every hour, she is my photographer and cheerleader. Bless her, with enthusiasm, she is up by 5:30 a.m., has her coffee, makes breakfast, and is ready to hit the road by 6:30 a.m.

Why so early? Well, it’s summer - the dog days, it gets hot in the afternoon. As we roll away from the house, “I must be a crazy wife to participate in a stunt like this.”

“What do you mean? We play golf, go hiking, and do all the training rides together.”

Yes, as we get older it gets harder. But so does everything else in life.

In the next few days, we will both take some well-deserved time off. Next weekend we can start preparing for next year’s ride.

The lesson learned - always Do What You Say. No matter how silly and insignificant what you declare may come across at the time, people do remember. And most of all, it is how you demonstrate dedication to yourself.

This is Patrick Ball, thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.

Comments

Anonymous said…

I'm still comatose at 5 a.m. I usually wake at 10p.m. I eat 3 eggs fried in lard and 5 cake donuts with chocolate icing and sprinkles. I then watch 2 hours of 70's hits on Youtube. Today it was KC and the Sunshine Band. Cannabis smoking (medicinal) usually follows. My doctor J.K. Welch prescribed the cannabis after a tedious bout of gout I encountered. As dawn appears I once again seek my bed til the morrow.

August 21, 2020 at 11:25 AM

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