The Pride:
Ahh...the sweaty warmth of the co-rec on a cold November morning. Cute frat boys pumping iron, fake blondes on the ellipticals, and the athletic people running their hearts out on the treadmills. Natalie and I take off our sweatshirts; she heads to a treadmill and I take off for the free weights (not to check out the frat guys - to work on my biceps). I get done lifting and a treadmill next to Nat opens up, which is great because the gym is surprisingly busy for 11:00 AM. I start running and am having a fabulous run. My breathing is steady, form is good, and the angels & airwaves blasting through my iPod tops it off. I'm approaching the 30 minute mark of my run and I'm feeling good. Not only do I feel good, I'm feeling good about myself. Maybe even a little proud…you know…the feeling when you’ve been sick and the first time you run in over a week you are kicking butt.
The Fall:
Then, picture this: my iPod reaches the end of the album and I start messing with it to change the song. This would be a lot easier if it weren't velcrowed to my arm. Then disaster strikes...I was so busy messing with my songs that my left foot hits the edge and...I fall, actually more like a crash. I grab the side railing with both of my arms and lay there for awhile as I attempt to get my legs off the rapidly moving belt. No luck...I finally let go as the belt propels me off of the treadmill and I shoot all the way back to the row of ellipticals behind me (yes, the ones with the fake blondes on them). And with a look of horror on my face I sit there for a few seconds - feeling like I'm in a movie or a dream. Natalie looks back with a stunned look on her face as she keeps running carefully (of course trying to avoid the same catastrophe as I just experienced). The lady running next to her asks me with wide eyes if I'm okay. I laugh a yes, get up, and hop back on the still moving treadmill. I run for a few more minutes, then walk a few, laugh with Nat for awhile and get up my courage to get off the treadmill and face the undoubtedly amused people behind me (keep in mind I was in the very front row of machines). I discover a few minor burns on my legs, but let's face it; my pride was what was really hurting. Anyways, even though this is very embarrassing, I've been laughing about it all day so why not give you all the same opportunity.
Ahh...the sweaty warmth of the co-rec on a cold November morning. Cute frat boys pumping iron, fake blondes on the ellipticals, and the athletic people running their hearts out on the treadmills. Natalie and I take off our sweatshirts; she heads to a treadmill and I take off for the free weights (not to check out the frat guys - to work on my biceps). I get done lifting and a treadmill next to Nat opens up, which is great because the gym is surprisingly busy for 11:00 AM. I start running and am having a fabulous run. My breathing is steady, form is good, and the angels & airwaves blasting through my iPod tops it off. I'm approaching the 30 minute mark of my run and I'm feeling good. Not only do I feel good, I'm feeling good about myself. Maybe even a little proud…you know…the feeling when you’ve been sick and the first time you run in over a week you are kicking butt.
The Fall:
Then, picture this: my iPod reaches the end of the album and I start messing with it to change the song. This would be a lot easier if it weren't velcrowed to my arm. Then disaster strikes...I was so busy messing with my songs that my left foot hits the edge and...I fall, actually more like a crash. I grab the side railing with both of my arms and lay there for awhile as I attempt to get my legs off the rapidly moving belt. No luck...I finally let go as the belt propels me off of the treadmill and I shoot all the way back to the row of ellipticals behind me (yes, the ones with the fake blondes on them). And with a look of horror on my face I sit there for a few seconds - feeling like I'm in a movie or a dream. Natalie looks back with a stunned look on her face as she keeps running carefully (of course trying to avoid the same catastrophe as I just experienced). The lady running next to her asks me with wide eyes if I'm okay. I laugh a yes, get up, and hop back on the still moving treadmill. I run for a few more minutes, then walk a few, laugh with Nat for awhile and get up my courage to get off the treadmill and face the undoubtedly amused people behind me (keep in mind I was in the very front row of machines). I discover a few minor burns on my legs, but let's face it; my pride was what was really hurting. Anyways, even though this is very embarrassing, I've been laughing about it all day so why not give you all the same opportunity.
6 comments:
thanks for the laugh Em and the descriptive horror of the fall. you have become one of those people that we all looked at and cringed. Oewww...
I'm sure if you spun it the right way, the Exponent would take a story like that (!)
oh man...your description is SO FUNNY...you're a good writer...this story made me think of this amazing video on youtube....check it out...i think you could do this: http://youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI
Em, you have just experienced everyone's worst treadmill nightmare. I've seen a couple falls at our gym but nothing as good as yours! Thanks for sharing...it was hilarious.
Leah, that's so cool! I agree that Em could probably hold her own with these guys except her treadmill was probably moving about 10 times faster:) sara
Oh, Emily. I still remember the days of the co-rec. One time Moll & I were walking in & she said you can always tell who is here to actually work out and who is here to check out guys with a sideward glance at my somewhat tight pants (can you believe that, it still makes me smile).
I am glad you can laugh at the crash, man I would have loved to have seen it!! -J
Em, that is the greatest story ever. Jen, thanks for the memories...did I really say that?? Seriously, Em, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry for you. I laughed...a lot. Thanks for sharing. Molly
Yep- Moll, but it is a good memory for me!! :) -J
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