Weak Off
Because it is May, there are, of course, thunder and lightening storms throughout the area. When the RFW class began, we were warned we’d be expected to run in rain, sun, heat and cold.
Apparently, the powers that be felt it might actually be dangerous to frolic about in thunder and lightening storms. So, this week’s first run was cancelled. Upon hearing the news, I think I actually felt my shins exhale in a sigh of relief. Little did they know I still had plans for them. They would be forced to carry me for the scheduled workout, anyway. I simply hopped onto the treadmill when I got home from work and was able to complete the first session according to the coach’s guidelines for the week. I actually surprised myself by finishing the agreed upon number of intervals and increased run time since I’d basically skipped a week of any kind of exercise.
Due to an out-of-town training convention last week, I fell out of my routine and missed two of the three sessions. I swore I would get on the treadmill at the hotel and would be able to complete whatever was assigned to the class. I was determined so I headed to the elevator and on up to the fitness center on the 35th floor. Somehow, the 36 button got pressed instead and the elevator dumped me out right in the middle of the top story bar and grill with near 360 degree views of San Francisco. Some nice people who worked there raced over to greet me and my iPod so I felt bad about telling them someone had obviously made a mistake and I actually meant to end up one floor below. Besides, once I caught a peek at the view, I was hooked. I pulled my ear buds out, took my watch off of interval mode and planted my sneakered self at a table by the window.
To my surprise, they had a variety of tasty looking beer-type beverages behind the long bar. I felt it would be disrespectful not to partake in at least one, since I was taking up coveted real estate overlooking the city. But the drink by itself seemed lonely. So I felt it only right to couple it with an appetizer…or two.
I could feel the patrons who arrived after I took my seat glaring at me. Wondering why someone would allow me to just ‘sit’ there while they were forced to park their parties further away from the window where they could only see the bay and the tops of some of the buildings. And, oh, how could I be allowed in public wearing that outfit? (It’s as if I was really inside their heads, isn’t it?)
Once I felt I’d stayed long enough to make the staff’s elevator greetings worth their while and the inside-table patrons sufficiently frustrated, I was quite full and not feeling at all like going to the fitness center. I headed back to my room to rest, instead. I added ‘go to fitness center’ to my mental agenda for the next day.
My mental agenda doesn’t hold a lot of information, apparently, as the next day came and went and my feet had not set…foot(?)…in the fitness center. Instead, after class, they saw a savory looking burger joint across the street and headed that way. Since I was there, I went ahead and grabbed a menu and took advantage of the available beverages. Again, I finagled my way into a window seat overlooking Union Square so I was able to watch from far above as the many minions meandered here and there. I knew soon I would be one of them. I mean, I did have to get back to the hotel and could not do so without crossing the same street over which I had been peering. I was okay with that.
On day three, I was determined again to hit the 35th floor button and exit into the fitness center. This time, I succeeded. As my shins cried not-so-silently, I attempted to push forth and complete the evening’s session. To be honest, I fell short. I walked far more than was scheduled. I did stay on the treadmill much longer than the allotted time to help make up for it, though. Also, I found the fitness center had many of the same spectacular views of the city as the 36th floor restaurant. So, no complaints there.
This is a new week and it looks as if I am back on track. With one session down and two to go, I am hopeful the weather gets nicer and the pain subsides. Thankfully, there aren’t any nice restaurants near where the class meets.
I’ve heard those can be distracting.