Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2001
The Commute
Living in the city isn't always what it's cracked up to be. I always thought it would be cool to be close to public transportation and within walking distance of practically everything. The idea of shedding my car has been always been appealing.
Or has it. Because now that I live in the city. I have access to public transportation and I'm within walking distance of, well, some things. But I'm kind of disappointed because it's not really that cool. It's not bad. It's pretty decent actually. But it's not COOL. And it's definitely not easier than my pre-city life.
Take the gym, for instance. When I lived in Madison, I had to drive to the gym. It usually took me anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes to get there depending on the time of day. But it really was no biggie. And it was definitely easier than when I had lived in Lake Mills and a trip to the gym was a guaranteed 25-min. trip each way. But, still, some evenings I'd take off around 5:45pm to catch a 6pm class usually in my workout clothes (if it was warm enough). I'd get to the gym, drop my bag in a locker and start up with class.
And I thought things would get easier.
Trips to the gym these days are not so simple. Now, because of living in the city and the skyways and what not, I walk. Which is fine. But it's 6 blocks. And it's not a six blocks that I can hike wearing my workout gear, unless I want to get ogled and freeze for a block outdoors. Then, once I get the 6 blocks to the club, I have to climb 3 flights of stairs up to the front desk (the elevator takes an incredibly long amount of time and is usually full by the time it stops on the 2nd floor which is where I'd catch it), check in and then climb another flight to the locker room. Here I have to change (because I can't really wear my lycra as I stated before on my hike due to the above stated reasons). Then I have to climb three more flights of stairs to the class room.
Honestly, by the time I get to class, I'm wiped. 6 blocks (one outside, five through skyways) and 7 flights of stairs, not to mention a rush of changing in the locker room, is a good 20-25 minutes of activity. And, here I have an hour of class to go through and then I have to do it all again... just in reverse!
I know it's good for me. I'm being active and not abusing my car. But the spoiled little girl inside is frustrated. Isn't the reason I workout so I can take my car and the elevator and all those other 20th century devices that have made us fat? Not to mention, being "close enough to walk" turns the trip into a combined 50 minute commute. Whenever I attend an hour class at the gym, I have to automatically add in an hour or so of travel/change time. It's not exactly streamlined. And on nights when class is at 6:45pm, I end up not getting home until after 8pm. And trust me, cooking dinner after 8pm is far from enjoyable. It's annoying and makes frozen pizza a very viable option.
I know I'm whining. But it's just another case of the "careful what you wish for" blues. I got what I wanted. With additional workout time to boot!
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Questions? Concerns? Email me at heather@funnymoods.com
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