insight into my training world

Regularly, I am not one who trains, for anything. So, it was a big BIG personal step, in January when I actually decided that this spring I would strictly adhere to the training manual provided to me by Bike and Build. In fact, at the gym, it only took about a month for people to stop gawking and saying things like, "CARRIE BADANES, what are YOU doing here?!" or "whoa, I didn't think you knew where the Rec was" or "two days in a row, eh? What's the big occasion?"

Fortunately, I have been blessed with the ability to be able to smile and shrug off such comments. (Read: I was typically so out of breath that I honestly had no other choice.)
I have quickly learned that the gym is a funny, funny place. I used to laugh at my mom when she told me about her Sports Mall friends. I mean, how can the gym foster a sincere relationship with any depth whatsoever.* It is true though. For example, I run into the same friend of a friend every time I go to the rec here. I mean, our relationship is typically her saying hello, me (on a bike) grunting, her asking about training, me smiling (similar to above paragraph).

The other terrible thing that happened at the rec is that I started to get bored. I mean, if the televisions and constant visitors can't keep me entertained, what is to be said about the vast plains of nothingness that you see when you hit, oh about PENNSYLVANIA! Recently, I was notified that we are not permitted to listen to anything (except the rush and whirr of traffic) as we pedal. There goes listening to the entire Bible Experience this summer.

I really should be heading back to the rec center, it has been about 4 hours since I was last seen sweating and heaving on the stationary bike.

*Conversation about mom's gym friend went as such: "Wow, mom, you and your new friend speak in Spanish at the gym together?" Now, if you understand my mother's Spanish skills, then you would realize that her idea of a very close friend is one to whom she says hello, and then smiles at, while neither understands what on earth is going on.