DON’T
JUDGE A BOOK BY its COVER.
Rugby players, baseball players, and boxers to name a few
sportsmen we think of as fit. None of them are small, in fact they’d probably
be called overweight, rugby forwards would be obese, but no, they are all
sportsmen. Why oh why do people judge me based on my size. I may be overweight,
but I’m the fittest I’ve ever been in my life. I’m even fitter than when I was
cycle racing and lean and mean.
Ritchie Mc Caw – The all black rugby captain, who is idolized
as almost god – like, is not trim, to look at him - he doesn’t even look athletic, let alone a
famous sportsman. Mohammed Ali – arguably the most famous boxer of our time,
was definitely padded. Many people around the world achieve amazing feats, and
they are not lean and mean fighting machines.
Last week Niel and I cycled on a 125 km circuit over many
hills of various sizes. Back in my racing days it was considered my hardest
training ride. I used it as a ride to determine my fitness for an upcoming
event. I often ‘hit the wall’, and couldn’t move until I’d rested and got some
food and drink down me. If I made it without ‘hitting the wall’, then I deemed
myself fit enough for whatever I was training for. Last week, I didn’t even
think about it. I didn’t get tired, and I had plenty of energy left when I got
home. It wasn’t until this week that I looked back and realized how easy I had
found it.
 |
| Half way around the 125km circuit. |
So what if I’m padded – it’s called ‘middle age’ people!! It
doesn’t mean I’m any less fit. Do you think that Niel would want to go cycle
touring with me if I wasn’t up to standard?
So If I hear one more comment like: ‘does Niel take all the gear?’,
or ‘do you separate and go different ways?’, or ‘do you ride together?’, then I
think I’ll scream. Give credit where it’s due. I am not fat, padded but not
fat, and I am not holding Niel back at all. I have done more than most cycle
tourists could dream of, and I’m not stopping yet.
No comments:
Post a Comment