A few weeks ago my mom showed me a collection of pictures of us while we were young. This picture was taken 7/1/91, two days before my baby brother was born (9 days before my 4th birthday!) and likely the picture of my first bike. It came fully equipped with training wheels, basket, and a big 'ol "mushroom" helmet as I like to call. I'm surprised I wasn't fully decked out on knee and elbow pads.
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| Some awesome cul-de-sac riding |
I was a crappy bicyclist when I was young. I couldn't understand why I wasn't allowed to ride on my bike in my dress or in my sandals (sometimes still don't). I was a huge scaredy-cat and would panic if I rode anything faster than 3 miles an hour. I remember when my training wheels came off, and I strictly told my dad to "hold on and DON'T. LET. GO." Of course he didn't listen in true dad fashion, and I crashed, scabbed, and road rashed a few times. I vowed never to learn how to ride my bike without training wheels. It wasn't until maybe a few months later, a trip to New Jersey while visiting my second cousins when they showed me how it was done.
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| Tricked out bike for the Chinese New Year parade in Chinatown |
Now 13 years later, my bike looks like this. Training wheels replaced by race wheels. Basket replaced by bento box and water bottle cages. The only thing that probably wasn't upgraded was the helmet, though my current one probably cost the same, if not less than the mushroom one that preceded it. If you had told my mom I'd be riding a bike for almost 7 hours in a race she probably would have never let my dad taught me how. If you had told my dad I would be spending $________ on a bike he probably wouldn't have either. But as much as it scares them and are convinced that I will ultimately pass out from racing one day, I know I have their support.
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A lot of people ask when I started to train so intently. Was I runner, biker, or swimmer? The answer was no and I'm pretty sure both my parents would have a hard time answering that question with a straight face. None of my siblings were fast, athletic, or strong (no offense guys but really). I always tell people it's never too late to start. For some reason, no one ever believes me, citing excuses, old joints, tired bodies, families/kids, etc. I'll admit I have no experience through any of those traits, but perhaps these people can convince you otherwise.
Anne Abernathy (aka Grandma Luge) went to her first Winter Olympic at age 34. She then continued to compete in five more Winter Olympics for a total of six. Her Winter Olympic career stopped at age 53, the oldest female athlete to a Winter Olympic competition. But wait, she is now working on her first Summer Olympic appearance in Archery and is on track to compete in Rio 2016. Pretty awesome if you ask me.
Or what about this dude, at 74 years old who in kinder words kicked my butt at Ironman Taiwan 70.3 in 2011.
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| 50 years my senior at the time, outswam, outbiked, and outran me! |
So to everyone younger, older, and everyone in between, it's never too late to start, and it's even more okay to start from nothing. Maybe in another 13 years I'll invest in a helmet that costs more than $20. Aero helmet maybe?...
