What’s the Point?

Last year I went into a rant about people at the gym I have been working out at for the last two years.  Nothing has changed.  I take that back.  It has gotten worse.

Last spring (after the previous rants), I started running on the indoor track.  It was great the first three weeks.  The first two weeks I had the track to myself and got much accomplished.  A runner joined me the third week and we had a mutual understanding of how each other trained so we could both get our full training in.

Then the fecal matter hit the fan.  All of the treadmills were being serviced so the treadmill people came up to the track.  The track is a short track with 15 laps equaling a mile (as opposed to 4 laps on a standard U.S. track) or 40% of a lap at the Indianapolis Speedway.  And instead of eight lanes, there is one lane (which is supposed to be wide enough for two people comfortably.)  The corners bank upwards much like an auto racetrack.

There is a sign of the track rules on the wall across from the stairwell.  The problem with the location is that the newbies stand in the middle of the track while reading the sign.  The following are the types of people who make training at the track a burden:

• Lovebirds – Walking next to each other hand-in-hand makes it impossible to run without having to stop every lap and scream “EXCUSE ME” because for some reason, they can’t hear my grunting and heavy breathing when I am running.
• “Day-Care” Parents – Parents who drop their children at the track and go to the Jacuzzi and drink pina coladas. (One of the rules on  the sign is that children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• Apparatus – people who think it’s cool to ride bicycles and skateboards on the track.
• Phone / Texters – People who make calls or text while walking (and usually in the middle of the track).
• General Dumbnuts – people who don’t pay attention to the sign.  (The sign has a few simple rules, some I mentioned before – No horseplay, track direction alternated on alternate days to prevent wear and tear to certain joints from going in the same direction every day.)

There are other things that bug me – they vacuum the track in the middle of the day.  I understand not vacuuming in the middle of the night. (the gym is in a hotel)  They could still get one of those push duster thingies that they use im movie theaters between film showings.  One would think since they are vacuuming that they would pick up the empty water bottles, candy bar wrappers, and Big Mac boxes around the track.  They stay around for days at a time sometimes.

I will have another rant tomorrow about the basketball court and pool areas.  your eyes need a deserved rest.

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Look Where You’re Going!

I had decided to start a landscaping business when I graduated from college.  I made good money the previous summer mowing lawns and I thought I could parlay this to a full-time profession.  All that was needed was a riding mower.  The mower and the weed-whackers I already were still in good shape and I was about to hire someone to help with the mowing as well as things like planting trees and picking up dog poo.

I went to Sears to check out riding mowers.  I found one to my liking as well as a trailer to haul it and my other equipment.  I didn’t bring money with me because I wanted to check out other stores before making a decision.

It was a nice late Spring afternoon when I walked out of Sears and into the parking lot.  A woman was driving in the parking lot and reading the paper.  She never saw me, but because I watch where I walk, I was able to avoid her.  I dodged away from her car and severely twisted my back.  I crawled to my car and drove home.  It must have been a compelling news story she was reading while she was driving.

The next month was spent mostly in bed as my back was in agonizing pain.  I had to crawl to the bathroom and kitchen because it was too painful to walk.  I was uninsured because I had just graduated and I could no longer be covered in my parents’ insurance.

Lately I have been observing that many people don’t watch where they are going.  This is true whether people are walking, driving, bicycling, swimming, or using a pogo stick.  I conducted an experiment the other day where I would stand motionless at a spot and see how many people would bump into me.  Three people bumped into me in five minutes.  The last person knocked me over.

If you find yourself out and about, look forward!  Don’t look to the left, to the right, at the text message you just received, at the hottie’s boobies, or anything else that is not in front of you.  It’s not that difficult.  Even I can do this.  If I can do this, you can too.  Look forward and watch where you’re going!