Gym Cast

I always enjoy when my favorite bloggers post about the characters they find in their gyms - it is kind of like virtual people watching.

I belong to a local YMCA - and the branch I usually go to is frequented by fairly serious athletes and triathletes - a higher percentage than you might find at most Ys.

But, there are a few interesting regulars, like Yogaman - a budda like, very flexible, older gentleman who can spend hours on the side of the pool going through Tai Chi poses and standing on his head.

The other day, I ran into two others. I'd just finished swimming a few laps with Guppy SW and was getting ready for weight torture with Ironwoman Canada. Hence, my hair was wet. A woman walked into the locker room, heading my way. She leaned over and stared into my face, with a perplexed look of disgust, saying "How did you get THAT sweaty?"

I briefly considered breaking out the blow dryer and hair spray before repulsing the rest of the Tuckahoe Y members. Though being late for Ironwoman Canada seemed a worse wrath, so I walked over to the weight room, while adjusting my wet bangs.

Soon, Ironwoman Canada had D2 and me really sweating (so I kept on alert for the locker room woman). We were stationed near the back of the gym, on like the 100th alternating lunge, when an older woman barrelled toward me, barking out "Class coming through!" It was obvious she wasn't stopping or rerouting her path for me - so I jumped out of her way - letting her pass before resuming my lunges. Within seconds, the rest of the geriatric posse followed - making it clear that we were in the way of the route they've traveled from their 7 am class through the 10,000 square foot gym since retirement.

On the bright side, they did get me out of a few lunges.

Off Season

My newest Splish swimsuit features a cute little penguin family huddled among snowflakes on the front - and the words "off season" spread to the limit across my not so petite bottom.

Off season - with Ironwoman Canada's help, I've been working on "getting it" a bit more this year.

After IMFL in 2007, my endorphins were running so high that I continued training as if another Ironman race was on the immediate schedule.

2008 ended with training efforts focused on late season half IMs and marathons.

My 2009 "A" race was IMUSA in July - followed by my final "B" race - the Giant Acorn Olympic race - in early October. Meaning that off season started earlier this year - and on a bit of an "off" note.

Alas, as well as the 2-5 pound weight gain fluctuation.

Even with a little extra pudge, I've been striving to understand and trust the benefits of off season. I'm still training 6-10 hours per week, but trying to make all those hours enjoyable.

I look forward to swim and bike workouts - without the pressure of upcoming races. I've been incredibly annoyed by rainy weekend weather forecasts. I've been itching to bike on beautiful days - but have cut workouts short - or even skipped workouts - if the weather was crappy.

But those nice bike riding days...have made my heart flutter. I've relished moments casually cruising through beautiful scenery or pushing harder speeds.

These past few weeks, I've started to feel a twinge bit more comfortable about running. I've headed out without my Garmin and enjoyed the cooler temperatures, the fall leaves - and lately - the Christmas lights. I've tried to focus on technique, no matter what the distance - hoping to create a new and better imprint.

Trust and acceptance - maybe a few months of physical and mental rest and rejuvination will actually be beneficial vs. detrimental for next season.

We'll see.