I spent nearly forty minutes watching a little green ball go around a computerized track. That green ball represented me. Mesmerizing, I tell you. But first I received a T-shirt to wear over my modest but barely sleeveless exercise top. The "T-Shirt of Shame", as my trainer stated. It wadded up between my knees as I ran, and the massive sleeves caught the sweat dripping off my elbows. If I wasn't hot before, this definitely was cause for my near-faint at running's end.
My dazed gaze at the green ball was interrupted briefly by Dr. Martin. Through the great world of Facebook, I have seen pictures of him running marathons with his son, who I went to college with. He hopped onto the mechanical track two down from mine. (We were two of a total three runners in the gym. It would have been difficult to NOT see him.) He adjusted the speed on his track so that it sounded like a jet going down an eternal runway. I tried not to think what his numbers said as I watched mine rise in slow-mo. And I wondered how many years it would take me to get to where he is. I pushed the button to make mine go faster. And I pushed it again. And again. (He doesn't know this, but he and his family have been an inspiration in helping me get on this triathlon trail, so I by no means speak lightly of my admiration of him.)
After plodding off three miles on that track, I slowed the pace in anticipation of return to "solid ground" for a final lap. I knew I didn't like doing these mechanical tracks for a reason, and one reason returned abruptly to my memory as I stepped off the machine: lack of balance. I felt like I was moon-walking. I peeled off the "dress" shirt as I swayed and stumbled to the front desk, trying desperately to stay in an upright position so I didn't look the newbie fool that I was. It seemed like forever before that feeling finally faded. Will it always be like this?
* * *
As an aside, finding balance and prioritizing LIFE is a difficult thing when it comes to exercise. We are doing a ton of adjusting, daily, to find the time to squeeze in the training. Something is always sacrificed, and someone is always disappointed by this. It is hard. I keep telling myself it will be worth it. It will all be worth it. Truly, this is not just about the race next October. It is about the daily choices between now and then, which will make the race worth doing. . . . Deep thoughts.
~Faster by Forty! :)
My dazed gaze at the green ball was interrupted briefly by Dr. Martin. Through the great world of Facebook, I have seen pictures of him running marathons with his son, who I went to college with. He hopped onto the mechanical track two down from mine. (We were two of a total three runners in the gym. It would have been difficult to NOT see him.) He adjusted the speed on his track so that it sounded like a jet going down an eternal runway. I tried not to think what his numbers said as I watched mine rise in slow-mo. And I wondered how many years it would take me to get to where he is. I pushed the button to make mine go faster. And I pushed it again. And again. (He doesn't know this, but he and his family have been an inspiration in helping me get on this triathlon trail, so I by no means speak lightly of my admiration of him.)
After plodding off three miles on that track, I slowed the pace in anticipation of return to "solid ground" for a final lap. I knew I didn't like doing these mechanical tracks for a reason, and one reason returned abruptly to my memory as I stepped off the machine: lack of balance. I felt like I was moon-walking. I peeled off the "dress" shirt as I swayed and stumbled to the front desk, trying desperately to stay in an upright position so I didn't look the newbie fool that I was. It seemed like forever before that feeling finally faded. Will it always be like this?
* * *
As an aside, finding balance and prioritizing LIFE is a difficult thing when it comes to exercise. We are doing a ton of adjusting, daily, to find the time to squeeze in the training. Something is always sacrificed, and someone is always disappointed by this. It is hard. I keep telling myself it will be worth it. It will all be worth it. Truly, this is not just about the race next October. It is about the daily choices between now and then, which will make the race worth doing. . . . Deep thoughts.
~Faster by Forty! :)
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