Last weekend we went riding with John and Cindy. Cindy is a new rider, and is doing something few women our age attempt. She’s challenging herself to try something risky and which could cause physical harm, but which can also reward her with new skills and the chance to pump her fist in the air and yell ‘YEA!’
We were talking about “ride jitters”, and I told her I still get them. I’m a worrier by nature, so I stress about things. I confessed that especially getting on the Ducati after so long riding the BMW would give me a high level of anxiety. I also said it was something I knew was good for me, and I really am addicted to the adrenaline rush when I get it right.
So, here’s the question, do you have something that gives you an adrenaline rush? Something physical that’ll get you high on life for an hour or two every once in awhile? Getting that “Rush Hour” during the weekend can really change my outlook on life for the next week.
I think most guys already have this dialed. Of course, there’s exceptions to every rule, but most boys know how to play. Girls seem to play differently, they cooperate, they work towards goals, they usually don’t challenge and they don’t play to win. Some people hate how adrenaline makes them feel, it can bring on upset stomach and all sorts of things we usually try to avoid. The thing is, if you can work through that fear reaction, I think the benefits are worth it.
The older I get, the harder it is to push the envelope. My fears outweigh my adventurous spirit, and I’d rather stay in my warm cocoon of “normal” activities. Because I do know how good that rush feels, I’m still able to push through and do some things I fear. Not everything. I’m not going skydiving or bungee jumping any time soon, I still pick my battles!
Also, it doesn’t require me to be in top physical condition (obviously!), I can ride a motorcycle, pedal a mountain bike slowly down a rocky trail, stand on a high parapet and look straight down, kill a big spider, or travel to places I’ve never been before. Each of these things challenge my comfort zone, and each can bring a nice “Rush Hour” of adrenaline.
I’ve learned over the years that for me, that short term “Rush Hour” is a great reward, but the greater reward is knowing I can continue to push my boundaries. Travel further, ride longer, kill bigger spiders! The world is my oyster (ugh, raw oysters, that would push my boudaries)!
So, what boundary are you pushing against?












