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.