The ride of a Lifetime - or so they say

Today my friend Cheryl and I participated in Lifetime Fitness' Ride of a Lifetime.  A two hour spin class held at the Rivercentre in St. Paul.  I will be honest - not sure if it was worth the $50 I paid for myself (She had to pay $60 because she is not a member.)  Over 1000 people were there to push their bodies to the limit on the spin bike.  But to call it the Ride of a Lifetime is so misleading.  I have done two other  2 hour spin classes at Lifetime - a great workout but not anything to warrant that title. 

Those who know me have followed my new found obsession with road cycling.  I love it.  It started with my cheap Fleet Farm mountain bike and some great trail rides while camping.  To be out in nature, on my own, pushing when I felt like it and finding out what I was capable of - now that is a ride.  And each time, I pushed a little farther - not only in distance but physically pushed my body harder - working different muscles, pedalling faster , tackling new hills (still not my favorite part!)

I even tackled the Minnesota Ironman on May 1st last year with that mountain bike.  Now that I might call The Ride of a Lifetime. 25 degree windchill, 25 mile an hour winds, ice pellets and a great head/chest cold as I hit the road.  I had signed up for the 30 mile loop and it may have taken me 4 hours and a few walks up hills but I finished.  Several people who had signed up for the 68 or 100 mile loop opted to drop to the 30 because of the weather conditions.  That was the first ride where I really felt I had challenged my body and mind - you should have seen the smile on my face when I finished and collected my Ironwoman t-shirt.  I was so proud of myself that day - and yet I felt that I could do more.  Even on the drive home, I was trying to think up my next challenge.

And challenge I did.  At the end of May, I became the proud owner of Sheba - a Specialized Dolce Comp road bike.  Stylin red and white - lightweight and beautiful.  And so the challenges began.  From Heights to Mounds View, then to Shoreview, then to Lino Lakes, then loops around the many lakes in that area.  20 miles, 30, 40 and finally on September 24th, I finished a 62 mile ride on my own - out to Lino Lakes, laps around the lakes and then back home.  Took me 6 hours - not the fastest biker out there - but I did it. With that ride, I completed 400 miles during the months of June, July and September!

Every ride I did last summer (and this January too) could be called the Ride of a Lifetime because each one was a challenge I set for myself and a challenge that I met.  And each one has been part of my journey to this NEW me.  I find time on each ride to pray (with my eyes open!!)  To thank God for the opportunity to ride, the ability to ride, safety on my ride.  But I also find that once I am in my groove, I take the time to pray for others in my life - friends, family, fellow church members - things just pop into my mind and I pray.  And I have seen so many of those prayers answered.  It is such an incredible feeling to be pushing your body physically and yet have your mind and spirit focused on God and helping others (guess some might call it another way I multi-task!) 

When I first started working out, all I could focus on was me and how much I hated working out, how my body hurt, what good was it really going to do me, etc.  But now I have come to this incredible point in my journey where God is showing me how it isn't about me - it's about Him using me to help/serve others in His name.    It's a feeling I hope you all get to experience at some point in your life - there are no words to describe it.  And once you do experience it - you will know you are on the Ride of a Lifetime!