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November 19, 2005
Romanticizing the Bike
There is going to be no real directed exercise today. I just don’t feel in the mood to swim or do any real bike training and it’s a day off from running. I just got back from part I of my errand jaunt. I had to walk b/c I needed to carry things (and there is no parking) so I walked about three miles. Part of this trip was to investigate how to get access to the bike cages at my school. Use of the cages is free and I think if I just show up to the security office on Monday I can get an access card. It’s annoying to have to add another layer of security to my bike, but it’s probably for the best. It’s cool b/c the two bike cages have roofs on them so the bikes are protected from the elements (since it rains ALL the time here!!)
I did make it to the gym to lift last night. There was a football team or something in there which was weird b/c I belong to an adult gym, not a school gym. The players looked like they were in college. Two of them were standing RIGHT next to wear I was benching and were talking/disagreeing which was annoying b/c they were definitely in my personal space. I heard one of them say, “That’s the right way to do it. Most people do it wrong.” The other one replied, “She’s only doing it that way b/c she has less weight.” I had no idea they were talking about me but then one of them blatantly said, “We’re talking about you.” “Um, excuse me?” “When most people bench they bounce the bar off of their chest which uses the wrong muscles. By not bringing it all the way down you’re using the right muscles. You must take the lifting class or something?" The truth of the matter is that two random guys in their 50s showed me how to bench two years ago in the small gym in my VA apartment complex. (Which I am still super appreciative of b/c I still bench two years later and prior to them teaching me I had always wanted to learn. I love that they took the time to teach me). So apparently this big burly football dude thinks I lift better than his big burly friends. Rock on.
Then I went right to dinner with my friend. I left my bike in the bike room of his apartment complex but he was ready to go so instead of dropping my backpack off in his apartment I gamely said, “Oh no, I’m totally ready.” Off we went to dinner with my backpack and bike helmet. Then we went to the pool hall with my backpack and bike helmet. I felt REALLY cool. BUT at 11 PM I was very grateful to be able to be able to ride the 1.5 miles home rather than taking the T or walking. I think this marks the first time I have actually used my bike to go out at night. This is also the first year I have ridden my bike in the dark so much. I used to think it’s not safe so I tried to avoid it-but it’s ALWAYS dark here. I CANNOT believe how early it gets dark….and I can’t believe I spent so much time walking around last year. I am super attached to my bike right now.
Posted by Audrey at November 19, 2005 01:05 PM
Comments
I have always been a freak about form when I lift! My college swim coach was a stickler about it and ever since then I have been too. I love watching the meat heads at the gym lifting wrong and think about how they really aren't working what the muscles they should be because they're doing it wrong so they can put more weight on the bar!
Be careful riding you bike in the dark!! Do you have a lamp for it so that you can see? Please tell me that you were something reflective when you ride at night!!!
Blondie
Posted by: Blondie at November 19, 2005 03:25 PM