Dared: A 30-Mile Bike Ride and a Request

 

I’ve gone and dared myself again.

Back in December my cardiologist told me I needed to lose some weight. Sigh… I know that, but he’s the first doctor who ever called me out. In the past I’ve heard things like, “No worries. We all gain a little as we get older.” I’m not sure they really saw me or heard my concern.

I’d lost several pounds before I moved to Florida what with running up and down two flights of stairs, lugging furniture around, and getting all physical while getting our home ready to sell. I also had succumbed to one of those low-carb frozen gourmet meal deals that arrived every week in a giant styrofoam box packed on dry ice. But since moving here, I gained everything back. Walking hasn’t helped much–maybe because my walks are camera-timed. Stroll, stop, snap. Stroll, stop, snap.

“So how much weight should I drop?”

I’m not so much worried about the weight. I’d like to see an hourglass figure.

That, I think, was his nice way of telling me to melt the belly fat.

“How?”

I’d like to see you train for a 5-K.

“Ummm… I’m a month shy of 69. And my knees aren’t in great shape. In fact, I had to have my left one injected a couple years back. I don’t think I’m supposed to run.”

But it sounded like he dared me.

I made an appointment with an orthopedic doctor for his input. He told me no running. I didn’t say I’d take his advice. In fact, I’d already bought new shoes and had started to walk-jog with Krista Tippett. I’d also signed up for a 5-K run through our church that was happening a week later. I didn’t tell him that.

And I showed up. I jogged a little, walked most of the route, but I finished. In fact, I got a third-place medal for my age category. Who cares there were only four of us?

I completed the dare.

I’m still working on the hourglass thing. I think I have an appointment coming up soon. I’m afraid Dr. M might be disappointed.

I’ve dared myself to do a new thing, though. Tomorrow. A 30-mile bike ride to raise money for orphans! I’ve done three training rides after not riding for–oh, maybe a couple of years. Yep, I may be seriously certifiable. Did I mention I’m still suffering from the trauma of falling into horse doo on Mackinac Island several years back, and I still have a fear of falling when I try to stop?

Last weekend my husband and I rode 21 miles on the Loxahatchee levee. I barely finished. And this ride is TOMORROW! I’ve seen the map. There are two scheduled rest stops. TWO! I swear I saw more than that when I signed us up as the Kingster Pedal Pushers.

I have a fundraising page. Money I raise might even find its way to the Lundi orphanage in Jeremie, Haiti where I’ve physically served in the past! How cool is that? And that’s whether I finish or not. Maybe you’d be willing to donate a little to the cause? It might give me more of an incentive to keep my knees rotating. If not, the orphans win either way. Just click over here and help a girl complete a personal dare?

Sandra King’s Fundraising Page