The Boy and I ventured out on Sunday to North Park. Recalling our recent canoeing trip, he says, “Want to get a tandem bike and fight?” I gave him a look (that only women can do) and we rented two bikes.
I thought, “This is going to be fun.” Not a half mile into it, we approach a small hill. WHAT? I can’t get up this itty-bitty 
hill? I am so embarrassed, ashamed, and ready to cry. I couldn’t believe it. Here I am walking my bike up this ramp of a hill while cars drive by and joggers and walkers pass me up. <heavy, heavy sigh>
I reach the top where the Boy was waiting for me. I told him my grievance, but he encouraged me to go on. It was easy because the next slope was the backside of that hill. “Wahoo,” I echo down the hill and I’m happy again. Just after a bit of leveled stretch of road we find a gazebo and I’m ready to relax. That’s it! I was just enjoying the serene surroundings. It wasn’t that I didn’t have it in me to go on.
After a short break, we head on down the road. I was getting quite thirsty. We didn’t have water. Why should I bring water? It wasn’t going to be difficult. We stopped at the Boat House. There we found some Gatorade and a girl selling snow cones. After the half mile of sweat, heart palpitating, and lung expansion, I deserved a mango and melon snow cone. Oh my gosh, it was the best snow cone I had in a long time.
After a brain freeze or two we get back at it. Let me remind you, we have only gone 1.5, maybe 2 miles with three more miles to go. At this point, my ass is killing me. Crazy out of shape. I’m actually an active person – not a fitness guru, but I enjoy exercising regularly. I was in a size eight (10) a year ago. Just over the past eight months I’ve slacked off.
I tell you this because I’m hoping public humiliation will slap my ass into gear. Back in January, I said in 2010 I will run a 5K. I need to do that before 2010 runs out. I even have a running plan from my friend Laura. It’s just the matter of…I think I can.