One Step at a Time

I confess, the people-watching is the big only draw to the gym for me. I haven’t been at the gym much lately, because we are experiencing a completely un-Alberta-like autumn so far. I would bet the bank we’ll have snow on Halloween, but I’ll be grinning big if we don’t. It’s been beautiful out.

However, my previous gym buddy, S., convinced me that we should re-visit this sacred place of our fitness pursuits of last winter.

I am a people-watcher. I don’t mean that in a negative or catty way … I’m not judgemental of the people I see. I am just enthralled. In a writing workshop I went to a couple of years ago, they had us go to an airport and observe. We had to jot down one line quips of a person’s conversation (airports are great places for deep conversations). Then we had to use that line to open our story. It was one of my favourite exercises of all time. The line I got was a girl crying to her Keanu-Reeves-look-alike boyfriend: If I marry you when I get back, I’ll be surprised. Holy mola. Thanks for the material, people.

Did upper body and elliptical (40 minutes… I’ll feel this, I know) today. There was a couple of ladies, about 50ish, on two bikes beside us, completely dissecting one of their daughter’s divorce. It was an INTENSE conversation, and loud at times. S and I couldn’t have chatted if we wanted to, so we listened. They picked apart Shannon, and why it all happened. Then, after about 20 minutes of The Analysis, in walks Shannon from the sunroom cardio area. I nearly fell over when the mom’s friend says, “Hi Shannon!” The tone of the conversation became very different when Shannon arrived.

I hope I don’t do that. I try to watch what comes out of my mouth all of the time, and to keep it consistent. Y’know, to only say what I’d say to the person’s face. I’ve been the “victim” of those types of situations, and it’s nothing but hurtful to find out, with no doubt, that someone’s been two-faced with you. Poor Shannon.

Going running tomorrow morning … I’m going to take advantage of this excellent weather and RUN my kids to school! Are they thrilled? Nooooo! You probably heard the whining from your place: Can’t we take the busssss? Pleeeeeeeeeeease?!?!? Moooooooommmmmmm!??!?!?!?! You’d think I told them that we were going to get on our knees and push peanuts with our noses the whole 1.17 kilometre to school. C’mon, boys?!!? (When I pointed that out, Troy did very sternly remind me that two children in his class have severe peanut allergies. So, Mom, try not to use peanuts in your jokes. Who spawned such an intense child?? Styrofoam bits, Troy?!? ) We finally compromised that they will ride bikes, I will run and push the Loudest Yeller of All (Cami) in the stroller. Good times.

I’ve gotta try to fit more runs in. I read it everywhere, and it’s no different for me … I need some focus here! I need a race! Do I want to do a Resolution Run on Jan 1? That sounds somewhat painful .. it could be -30 here then?!? (Celcius, Jon, Celcius… ) I’m not sure what to do. I’m thinking of committing myself to a pseudo-race. The concept is brilliant, really. I’d say to my Very Fast Runner Friend Tara: Hey! Guess what?? On December 10, I’m going to run 10k with you. I’m training for it, and you’ll hug me at the end, and we’ll have snacks, and maybe even buy a new shirt to commemorate me running the distance. My family could wait at the finish line and cheer really loud. Hmmmm … pseudo-racing. It might be the answer ….. ?!?!??!?!