Category: exercise

It has been a long time since my last post.  School has kept me so busy this summer.  This is a piece of writing that I did in my writing class.  I'd love to hear about your special place.

Smacking the OFF button on my alarm, I am reminded that today I need to get up before the sun…early, early.  I don’t want to get up.  And the ironic thing is I don’t even have to get up.  But, I just need to.  Everyone in the entire house is still asleep…kids, husband, snoring dog.  I fumble around in the darkness for some clothes and manage to pull on my shorts, tank top, socks, and my comfortable shoes

.  I brush my teeth in the dark, trying to make sure I don’t drop a glob of tooth paste in the sink.  Yuck, I hate cleaning globs of tooth paste out of the sink.

I can’t wake anyone up because if that happens, my plans of going to my special place would be completely ruined.  It’s best if they don’t even know I’m leaving and hopefully everyone will still be in a peaceful slumber when I return.

I pull my hair into a pony tail, grab a water bottle, keys, and head out the door.  I don’t need a purse where I'm going.  It would just get in the way.

When I arrive, I make the dissent into the dark, cold basement.  I shudder and a feeling of dread creeps up on me.

After making a few minor adjustments, I climb up.  I tighten the foot straps and drape a small towel nearby because I know I’ll need that later.  I will my feet to move, turning slowly and easily.

People begin to arrive.  Around me, they make their own adjustments and climb aboard for a ride that will take us all nowhere, but at the same time take us everywhere.

Music plays.  Loudly, but I like it that way.  Somehow it numbs the pain.  We all start out slow at first, but as time passes, slow and easy becomes fast and challenging.  Muscles are aching, bodies crying tears of sweat.

“Turn it up,” she says.

We all turn it up.

“Faster!” she barks.

We all go faster.

Misery sets in and I’m really not enjoying myself.  When will I arrive?  This is taking way too long.  Slowly…slowly my physical body takes my mind from this state of suffrage to a wonderful place…a magical place…a place where all my worries, stresses, and frustrations leave my body and drip onto the floor.

This is where it happens.  Here, in the saddle of a spin bike, is where my dreams come true.  It’s not an easy journey to get here and when life gets busy I don’t travel here as much as I should.  But, I know that magic always happens here if I’m only willing to climb on and enjoy the ride.

I started spinning almost four years ago, shortly after Julia was diagnosed with CF.  It has been my outlet and I truly believe that it has saved my mental health and wellness.  I'd love to hear about what you do to keep your mental sanity…