I am not an athlete, by any measure. I participated in baseball for many years, catcher with the knees and hands to prove it. Loved running until my spine was injured, never fast by any measure, used a calendar to time myself. Absolutely loved XC running in high school, but a 200lbs ex-lineman/shot putter will never place, much less be a positive in the scoring of our team (very understanding, supportive coach.) Rode motocross and hare scrambles until 2009 when the surgeries just killed things, but had a ball for 40+ years doing it, 10 with my son. Never got the first trophy, best I ever placed was 7th in a 22 man field, in Houston, Tx.

Participant, yes, athlete, no, and my father told me regularly, he was an excellent athlete, played every thing well, and was a good college basketball player. I didn't quite measure up there to him, but he smoked 2 packs a day, and died at 49. I have loved every minute I ride any bicycle and getting back out after surgery #16 is the best thing I ever did, and probably it saved my life. I could care less if someone ever thinks of me as an athlete, probably will never happen. The 25 or so miles daily is my way of dealing with the hand I got dealt health wise, and it works, too. Not an athlete, just a happy person, thankfully.

Bill