Ageless Adventures: Wendy Deacon
Staying active allows us to be ready for new challenges and bucket list items.
Have you ever seen something that looked really cool or fun and just know that you had to try it yourself?Whether it’s a bucket list experience or something you just stumble upon, are you ready for it? When the opportunity arises….are you physically able to give it a try?
Staying Active Leaves Us Ready For Anything:
While on a visit to Boston recently, I was running on the path along the Charles River (I say “running” but it’s a slow jog as evidenced by the numerous youngens who ran quickly and effortlessly past me on the trail). I was running in the morning before work as it was the coolest temperatures of the summer day and I knew there’d be a 90% chance I’d be ready for an adult beverage, making it way too easy to not run in the evening.
“I was so excited to get this unique chance..”
All the time I was out there, I watched numerous crew teams and solo rowers in their sunrise and pre-workday ritual exercise, going up and down the river. I had recently watched several races in the Paris Olympics and thought it already intriguing, but being there and seeing it live, it looked even more graceful and almost poetic as these folks passed me by.
I had always wanted to try rowing but knew little about it (other than the boats look very small and like they barely stay above water) and never had the opportunity. I had been to Boston several times before and never had time, but this trip, I might be able to squeeze it in the schedule.
My Private Lesson And First Attempt:
I stopped a woman in her 50s coming out of one of the boathouses and after answering some questions, she referred me to an organization to teach adults, so I called them up and set up my private lesson and first attempt.
I learned I’d be “sculling” or using two oars in my own boat. Because of my activity level and being ready for anything, I was able to quickly learn about all the intricacies and as many people don’t even get to sit in a boat on the water on their first try, I was so excited to get this unique chance. She’d be in a motor boat and continue teaching me through a bullhorn close by.
“I learned I’d be “sculling” or using two oars in my own boat.”
Although I moved at the slowest pace possible, I was able to successfully stay dry and move my sculling boat up and down the Charles River. Despite almost running into another boat (at an extremely slow speed), I was also able to turn the boat around to get back.
One of the funniest and most memorable moments came when I was turning around and started to get off-balance. I did the whoa-whoa-whoa boat dance to the left and to the right and after 20-30 seconds, I was able to regain my balance and calmly sit with my oars on the surface. It took another few minutes but I was also successful to get my bootie back on to the tiny seat. I had slipped off. Using slow, balanced movements while still a few inches above the water, I was able to regain my seat. I got to the dock still 100% dry with my first lesson completed and the biggest smile on my face.
My Solo Sculling Boat:
As we wrapped up my lesson, my instructor was very complimentary and she said that me being so active, including the strength training and core work I was doing regularly, was the reason I was able to actually get onto the water in my solo sculling boat and stay dry. I couldn’t agree more.
I won’t lie and tell you that it’s easy to get up early to hike, swim, bike, run or go to pilates class every day. It’s not. But moments like this arise. When I find something I really, really want to try, I find that all those daily activities preserve my health which not only increases my confidence in tackling something new, but provides me so many other benefits and advantages.
Staying Active Helps Us Achieve Our Bucket List:
What about you? What experience or activity have you always wanted to try? I challenge you to identify three bucket list experiences and then I hope you’ll do what you need to do to focus on your health and get ready for anything.
As for me? I don’t care that I looked like a total novice and I am absolutely sure I’ll be going back for another lesson again soon. This experience only served to reinforce what I already believe – movement is everything and I absolutely must prioritize taking good care of myself.
That even if – for some odd reason – I never make it back to Boston, I can at least say I’ve tried it and will always remember what it feels like to quietly sit and then slowly scull along the Charles River.
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About The Author:
Wendy started DestinationU in 2019 and through her community and platform, she is a champion for aging adventurously. She is on a mission to resource and empower women over 40 to reimagine what’s possible and live with way more adventure, fun & fulfillment.
Wendy had a successful career, but after a series of personal life changes, she decided it was time for a seismic shift to create something much more personally fulfilling. She authored several books, started building the DestinationU community and started setting up and leading more customized group adventure trips.
She previously spent 20 years in preventive health as a national non-profit leader, international speaker and world class athlete but she still wanted more. Wendy was increasingly focused on intentional and experiential living with healthy aging and she met many women like her on the same journey. A whole new world opened up.
