This photo is one of those awkward selfies taken while no one saw me, but it's still taken "in public" so it requires acting quickly before someone discovers the awful truth of what I’m doing. You know the kind of shot: you look both ways before you start snapping; you position yourself in the frame; you play with your facial expressions to get just the right one; and then the thumb or a finger gets in the way because you are using your phone and you cannot see yourself because the glare of the sun is not helping. Or, as my youngest loves to tell me "uh, Mom, you just don't know how to take a selfie."
All of the above came into play for me at the half-way mark of my bike ride this past Sunday on the Roswell/Alpharetta Greenway, a pleasantly wooded eight-mile trail that allows walkers, roller-bladers, bikers, and runners along its path. You see, I had just realized on that ride that I had turned 49.5 years old the day before. I am going to be a half a century soon! Thoughts went through my head: I should be better looking, I should be in better shape (and yes, the bum was sore the next day from my 11-mile ride…and the neck…and the shoulders…andandand). Oh, and I should get a plan in place for that momentous day and celebrate like I’m going to Rock 50 or something—that would include a serious diet, a workout plan, a work plan, a better mother plan, a better wife plan. There were lots of “should” flopping around inside my head as I had a conversation with myself.
All the while, though, I relished singing out loud while shaking my helmeted head to the beats of my playlist songs (when there was a break between walkers and such, of course). You can envision me on my bike singing stuff like “Forget You,” “What the Hell,” “Sexy and I know it,” “Beggin’ Beggin’ Youuuuuuuuu,” “Somebody please tell him who the F I is,” (stop judging my playlist—I can hear you doing it already). It felt great to be 49.5. Why was I having a conversation with myself about “how to be fabulous by fifty” when I was feeling fabulous at that very moment?
A few years ago (ok, five years ago), I wrote an article called “Journey to Badassness.” It was a funny story about how I fell in love with the word “Badass” when a friend and I decided to train together for our first sprint triathlon. We completed that journey together and another one too! And, I have done several other events over the years just to keep my Badass badge and to collect Badass Bling (finishers medals—and really, for me they are finisher medals). I guess I realized this past Sunday, when I took this photo during my water break on my bike ride, that I’m doing just fabulous at 49.5.
I was riding my bike Sunday because I had made an impulse move a few days before: I signed up for a bike race (the following Sunday) that allows riders ON the highway. I could do it for free if I volunteered for the event, but I hadn’t biked for a year. It was only prudent to do a safety check to make sure this body could make it! I hate to think that the word “free” motivated me more than riding my bike on the highway, but it doesn’t matter. I’ll probably struggle a good bit, but I’ll volunteer at one rest stop later in the afternoon while nursing my sore muscles and admiring all those amazing bikers who will go a full 100 miles (I’m doing nine!).
So, 49.5 is fabulous. I am fabulous. I have a short bucket list thing going for 50, but not one of those things involves looking better or going on some serious diet. Right now, the top of that list is having my first surfing lesson…in a location that takes about 36 hours to reach…and I won’t do it when I turn 50. I’ll do it when I’m 50.5. Because all I wanna be is a better Badass as I get older. Cheers 49.5.
Your title makes me happy!! Story, too. Reminds me of taking my selfie in a swing along a busy road last weekend. Felt like a FOOL!!! You are such a badass!! Love the word, too.
This has really made me laugh Daryl - love your sense of humour - love the word Badass - love your selfie!! I am older than you so I've been there and done it - enjoy every moment as it passes all too quickly!! But I want to be a Badass too!! LOL!!
You're awesome! i love reading your commentary! Great selfie. I'm challenged when it comes to using my phone too. Do you know that you can use the volume button on the iPhone to take a selfie. I discovered it by accident and it makes things much easier.
Hot dog. You have so much going for you. I almost don't even remember 50 except that I didn't think it was all that old and I was right! There is tons of living to do beyond that! keep taking these selfies girl. You look MAHvelous.
You get an instant FAV from me for this. You know - it only gets better. I'm not sure that I quality as Badass - but I'm a totally grateful 63. I'm happy with me (and sure I could lose weight and other stuff). That is the entire key - to be happy being you. And you are. So you don't have to worry about 50. You got this.
Great shot!, I haven't even attempted a selfie yet! Love your narrative, you'll breeze past 50 and life really does get betterer and betterer beyond that, believe me - I have fifteen years experience! My only complaint is that the days, weeks, months and years all get shorter!
@bobfoto 100 is some serious crazy, but I did do 27 yesterday (and I was only planning on 9). Maybe I'll go for 50 for 50 next year. It was a total blast. Moving slow today...
@darylo - make it 60, at least that is a metric 100km... I used to host a riding group a few years back and I always remember the days when a first-timer would reach the 100k mark. Such a great moment and a lot easier than they all expected. In fact, many of them who reached the milestone would often say afterwards that a ride wasn't a ride without reaching the 100.
Considering I did only two rides in advance of 27, with training, I should get there! I love biking. My knees are shite these days but biking and swimming work. I'll aim for a century. First my surfing lesson in Bali. That's in the works for next summer. A friend will put me up. I just have to get there. :)
July 1st, 2014
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