I don’t go to the gym very often.
If I need to do strength and core work, I generally do it here at my house. I run to get away from people– it’s like running away, but you come home a more patient person. It gives me an hour of time to zone out and get in touch with myself. It’s the place that I feel most at peace. This morning, I was reminded of why I don’t often go to the gym. I wanted to change my strength and core workout up, give my body a fresh new workout that could only be done at my local Gym.
I walked in feeling a little like the new kid in school– after a short warm up on the treadmill, I gathered my confidence and began my workout in the weight room. What happened next is what reminded me why I hide in the comfort of my running. I was doing seated leg presses, and the guy next to me on a similar machine was making the most unreal noises. Believe me, I understand why someone would grimace or grunt, especially if you’re at the end of a tough set, but this guy was down right obscene. He was making the loudest, most X rated sounds ever. I’m not sure if he was joking or trying to get attention or what — but the “oooooooh’s” and “ahhhhhhhh’s”, and “yeah’s”. I almost spit my water out when he let out an, “Oh yeah, come on!” He was making a scene and a jackass of himself. I felt so bad for the elderly couple next to me, they had to get up and leave. In fact, after awhile, I couldn’t stand it anymore, and I had to leave as well. Where are people’s manners?
I looked him in the eyes, and I could tell this guy had talked himself into believing that he was the greatest human ever. Something other than human came to my mind — more like pig, but pigs are too awesome to put this guy in their category. I’m not one to go around bashing people, but this jack-wad made everyone around him so uncomfortable… It was rude. So much for the gym, I’m back to doing strength and core at home.
On another note, I did something kind of jack-wad as well. My good friend Genevieve is coming out to run the Mountains 2 Beach Marathon on May 25th and, well, she talked me into running it. I don’t know what I’m thinking — I’ve run nothing more than a few easy trail miles since last June. So, I’ll let you know how the world’s shortest marathon training cycle goes. I think we all can guess — it’s going to be ugly out there! I PR’ed at this race last year, but after I crossed the finish line, I had severe neck and shoulder pain — it hasn’t gone away since. This is one of the many reasons I stopped running so much, and pulled out of Boston this year. It’s clear that, when it comes to running, I do not have a rational brain — but, then again, most of us don’t, so let’s see how 26.2 goes down on May 25.
Since my race on May 25th is just about crossing the finish line, to add more crazy to the already insane, I also signed up for the beautiful Ventura Marathon on September 7, 2014. One of the top 20 races in the country to qualify for Boston (not that I’m trying). I wanted to actually train for a race instead of just finishing. If you’d like to join me in Ventura, California on September 7, 2014 for one of the last races before Boston 2015 registration opens– a 16 week training program would start on May 25– so let’s do this! Register before prices go up. Plus, I have a discount code for you! Use code lisawelch10 at registration for 10% off.
How about you– What kind of creepy or rude things have happened to you at the gym?
Are you trying to qualify for Boston 2015 and looking for a race this year?
