How to avoid the epic FAIL

“Don’t make me laugh,” I kept repeating to my friends. Of course that made everyone laugh even harder. My first visit to a mountain bike trail within the city, and I hit a tree. If I hadn’t fallen onto a log that displaced the entire left side of my rib cage, I would have laughed with them.

If you’ll recall, I’m the one with cycling fears. What in the world made me think I could tackle a mountain bike trail without proper training?

Correction: SHOULD tackle a mountain bike trail without proper training

And there it is; the secret to knowing my limitations. Could vs Should

COULD
1. I have access to a mountain bike
2. Both legs and arms function normally
3. It’s good exercise
4. My friends are doing it with their kids.
5. It will be fun

SHOULD NOT
1. the bike belonged to one of our boys. I wasn’t comfortable riding it and it wasn’t in the best condition
2. I haven’t been training. My physical conditioning had succumbed to my traveling demands of the 9 months. In short, I’m out of shape.
3. Degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis, need I say more?
4. Did I mention that my friends may be the first American Ninja Warrior Family? They are the magazine cover of the perfectly-fit, family.
5. Ice packs, ibuprofen, bruises, …are not fun

Growing older has always felt like something that happens to others. It is time for me to take responsibility for the changes happening within my body. If I want to participate in a challenging adventure such as mountain biking, I owe it to myself to get in the best shape possible. Be prepared. It is no longer an option to be spontaneous with any activity that has a high risk of injury. From now on, I’ll fulfill my spontaneity desires with activities like walking, reading or scrap booking.

I am inspired by my neighbor, 10 years my senior, who just qualified for the 2015 Houston marathon invitation list. Running is not my thing but there is nothing to stop me from planning and preparing for my own personal accomplishment in 2015.

Know my limitations
Set a goal
Plan
Prepare
Succeed

Following these guidelines should lead to more successes, more fun, and less epic fails in 2015. I will be smarter!  (of course my friend had a GoPro strapped to his handlebars)