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.
![BeachParty2014](http://www.runwiki.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/BeachParty2014-454x700.jpg)
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?
![](http://www.runwiki.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Post-Signature.png)