Pushing Myself

I did it. I drove three miles down the road, and walked into a new place. I took a tour. I signed on the dotted line. I answered a page of questions. I paid a fee. I signed up for a health assessment. I walked into a room of strangers....and it was ok. I pushed myself harder than I have in years. After two classes, I know it was the right decision. I feel fantastic.

I joined the local gym. When I was fifteen I took classes at a local gym...and I loved it. I've wanted to try it again....but it was never the right time. Babies, bottles, naptimes, tantrums, preschool, storytimes, playdates, routines all got in the way. For whatever reason, yesterday was the right time. With two girls in 1/2 day kindergarten, it works a little better now with life.

I have a shelf full of workout dvds, a treadmill, and a Wii....but it's always been tough for me to work out at home. I can see the laundry. I know there are dishes to be done. I know there is a bathroom to be cleaned, or something else I should be doing. In the Summer or Fall, I can escape responsibility and go for a run. In the Winter, it's too cold or icy. In the Spring, there is rain and mud. There is always an excuse.

So, for two months, I'll be at the gym. Taking classes. Pushing myself out of my comfort zone. Yesterday I even took a shower there. In a locker room....feeling like I was back in junior high (that's what they called it in the olden days). It was clean. It was quiet. Nobody needed me. In a strange way I felt like I had made a great escape to a different world. I made a trip back today in the darkness of the morning...and I loved every minute. I came home to my sleeping household, and nobody even missed me.

The laundry was still there. There were some dishes to do. The bathroom still needed to be cleaned. But my workout for the day is done, and that is a good thing.

Carl pushing himself, All-City Track Meet 2008