Driving

Lately I've been driving myself to run further, swim more often, go faster, work out longer, and lift a bit more weight. I should be thankful that the holidays made me put on the brakes and idle for a bit.

It is a good thing to take some down time and just relax, right? Stop steering, let the traffic jam lull me into that peaceful Christmas spirit? NOT. Hey, SUV man, you've had 51 weeks to shop and you STILL aren't done buying stuff??? Why are you tailgating me, I'm already driving 60 in a 45 zone? Don't you have turn signals? Ever hear of the rules of the road? Why are you hesitating??? OH I was SO not cruising along nicely. It's easy to hate the holidays. OK OK so maybe I am misfiring a bit but I'm glad that the rush is finally over.

We had a foot of snow on Monday. I feel sorry for whoever it was that drives the cute red convertible who was either stranded at the Y, or dead at the Y, because he didn't get that car out of the parking lot for three days. I hope he had money for the vending machine. I know I never do. NOTE: shoveling by hand burns 408 calories an hour, just less than the 507 I WOULD have burned if I could have made it to the gym that day.

So I put some air in my tires, cleaned out the trunk, and filled up my tank (several times, apparently, according to the flashing digital readout on the scale in the Ladies Locker Room, which, in case you didn't notice, has not been stolen yet). I even made a donation to the coat drive, and was nice to a new member during the New Year's Day membership drive. I didn't drive once even a little bit under the influence, and checked out why my left turn signal has been flashing like crazy lately (the dealer told me I have a bulb out somewhere, which I do not, at least not on my car anyway). It is not fixed yet, so surely the drivers behind me are convinced I'm in a huge hurry to turn, which I usually am.

I got so cold after being driven through an hour on a spinning bike today that my indicator lights were BOTH on when I went upstairs to lift weights - it was very obvious due to my tight fitting tank top. Motor Mouth was there, and still at it later in the hot tub. And what's with the new lifeguard - she's so NICE it's not normal. She's another one that keeps verbalizing about her workout, like I care. Mighty Mouse must have just gotten her driver's license. I know this for sure because she's young, she's new, and she is SO cool because she can drive, so now she doesn't need to be nice to anyone.

I discovered it's hard to text and shift gears and modulate the clutch all at the same time, so I'm doing my best now to make good decisions and pay attention. I haven't made any resolutions, but I promised myself not to start any new BAD habits in 2011, the year that the Pillsbury Dough Boy and I both turn 50. This may be an omen, but I'll keep surging ahead, at least until I hit the next red light.

Running in Place

Did you ever feel like you're crazy busy, trying to do 60 things at once, with all kinds of plans only to find out it's Friday, again, and you aren't any further ahead??? Sort of like doing 5K on a treadmill. Hey, look - I'm right back where I started, except now I'm all sweaty! What have I been doing for the past 35 minutes????

It's almost the end of the year. Time to consider the year's accomplishments and milestones, or lack thereof.

• I have lost no weight, but I haven't gained any either.
• I am almost a year older, but not more mature or wise. I guess if you can't stay young you might as well stay immature.
• I am making more money, although I've managed to spend it (not always wisely).
• I have more grey hair, but so do most of my friends.
• I had to repair my car twice, but at least I wasn't at fault.
• I am more flexible, but I'm not any taller. Nor have I started shrinking. Yet.

These are things to be thankful for. I think. Every time I consider the idea of a New Year's resolution I feel inspired, even though I know damn well I'll fail. Here are a few of my recent personal goals:

• Play with the cats more. Maybe they won't howl in the middle of the night. Didn't. Still left the house really early almost every day, busy when I got home. Bob, however, has gotten much better singing MEOW. Very loud and his projecting is excellent.
• Be more patient. I read things, even books and stuff, and while I might have learned a few hot tips, like Listen More, I still get anxious when I get behind Little Miss Speed Limit.
• Eat only calories that count. I have modified this so it does not including drinking wine.
• Work harder at work. I think as long as others perceive that I am working hard I'm covered. REMINDER: Don't spend too much time on Facebook and Lover Boy's emails.
• Paint the bedrooms. I did one. I think this counts.

So here we are with Christmas only a week away. I may not be spinning my wheels, exactly, not like I did trying to get to the Y last Sunday when the roads iced up overnight, but it's time again to draw up a New S.L.B. Strategic Plan:

• Drink less. Remember those nights you almost died. But hey, what's a couple of beers???
• Read more. This does not include surfing the web.
• Think big, have vision, and don't let the little things bring me down. If only this idiot doing 30 in a 45 zone would try using the pedal on the right.

Let's see in a year or so how well I've managed! I do know one thing: I have great friends at the Y. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Happy Time Off, and love to all. May all your wheels and gears keep spinning, and may you stay on the asphalt and not end up in the ditch.

La La Land

I love it when I can relax during my workout and get into a groove. I call that place La La Land. There is no one there but me. I am the Queen Space Cadet and proud of it!

It is a beautiful place. It can be anything I want it to be. Sometimes I am by the ocean and the sky is blue with puff-puff clouds, or on a long stretch of smooth asphalt that is all downhill with the wind in my hair, or in a dark green glassy sea. All good until I open my eyes and discover that I'm inside, that it's December and it's cold and dark outside, and there are people around that, despite my best efforts, won't go away. The clouds are really TV monitors, the wind is from a fan, and the taste in my mouth is chlorine, not salt, and I just about hit the wall at the end of the lap lane. Totally spaced.

Tinkerbell was in La La Land when I tried to join her in her lane in the pool last week. She spooked when she saw me sitting there waiting to get her attention. I asked if I really looked that bad. If she was OK. Was she SURE she was OK. If I could get in. Was she SURE that was going to be OK. Giggle fits are a great way to get your heart rate up and start your workout.

On Thursday I finally found La La Land on the spinning bike. I closed my eyes and just focused on the workout. Teacher led us on some big hills and I temporarily escaped, my royal little legs pumping like mad. Then, suddenly, I was back in the real world: Teacher wrapped up class by informing us that she won't be doing spinning classes after the end of the month. I was out of breath to start with, then the wind got kicked out of me. NO I wanted to shout! Just because you have a full time job and two kids? What about ME? I staggered off to work on the mats. They never turned into anything cool. Just dirty old mats. I was sad.

No good gossip this week. Poison Ivy is everywhere. I hope I win the basket raffle - the one with the wine in it. Bored already and it's only December. I think it's time to start something. Maybe we can go around and pick our favorite space cadet and ask them if they know where La La Land is.