Monday Funday?

Today while running, knowing I would be on the treadmill for a total of 45 minutes, I got to thinking about how I was going to reward myself for a good run. Knowing that we would be heading to Buffalo Wild Wings for our weekly Monday night trivia hosted by Loose Gravel Productions, I thought maybe I'd get some wings. But, I got home and took a shower. 35 minutes of pure bliss. That's right, I was in the shower for 35 minutes and it was AWESOME! That in itself was the best reward.

I really deserved that shower too after today's debacle. I headed to the gym after dropping Erich off at home. Upon pulling into the parking lot I realized that Monday's are the worst gym days ever. I'm not talking in terms of the actual workout. I'm talking about how many people are invading the place. It's really bad when there are absolutely no parking spots and people are circling like sharks looking for someone to pull out. Upon seeing this, I realized that inside, there would be a feeding frenzy for the treadmills. I promptly called Jill and told her the predicament and we decided to head to a different location. After sitting in traffic for an extra 15 minutes (not bad by Minneapolis standards in the snow) we made it to the New Brighton LA Fitness. It was the same situation, however Jill found an elliptical, and I found my oh so beloved treadmill.

I do think I'm kind of an oddity for a couple of reasons. I don't really mind running on a treadmill. Joint pain aside, it doesn't seem that terrible. Now, I definitely prefer running outside but the entertainment presented to me by looking down over a gym full of people trying in vain to keep New Years resolutions is just too good. I'm also entertained by the big men whose biceps are so big they can barely put their hands down at their sides. I also watch the people who have no idea what they're doing on a weight machine, although I tend to take pity on them and it takes great will power for me to not stop what I'm doing and tell them how to properly do an exercise. It would be nice since it would keep them from injury right?

The other reason I am somewhat of an oddity is that when running, even on a treadmill, I don't find a need for headphones and to listen to music. I find that more than anything, it really messes up my stride and my timing. Plus I am a sweat machine when I run. Even my ears get sweaty and it's uncomfortable to have anything in them when they're so...drippy... I like to listen to the rhythmic, "whoosh, whoosh, whoosh" of the treadmill next to me, and the guy on the bike behind me who sounds like he's doing a strenuous activity that is not riding a bike...I'll let you infer what you want from that. There's also the slight clang of weights and machines below me that adds to the symphony of the gym. I don't know why but I really like it. Without music, I find that I'm able to have great "me time" in my head. I think about lots of things and I even pump myself up a lot. During my run tonight I said to myself, "You can do it Whit. What are you made of?" and without thinking I answered, "Sugar and spice and everything nice. And a whole lot of muscle just for good measure." Then I realized how strange of an exchange that was inside my head, and got to thinking about why I would even think that to myself. Before I knew it, 2 minutes of my run were gone. Poof. I probably wouldn't have had those thoughts had I been listening to some bumpin' tunes, and those 2 minutes wouldn't have flown by.

All in all, today's 45 minute run was great. I went just over 4 miles. Quite slow but I'll take it for a Monday evening. I'm not ashamed to be pokey. After all, a wise reptile once told me, "Slow and steady wins the race."