No sh*t, there I was ... exercising and...

[threadwalker]

So there I was, 25 minutes into my elipitical work out, ramping up my steps per minute from 150 to 160/170, and controlling my breathing; in through the nose, out through the mouth. Someone got on the machine next to me and I started to choke on their cloud of B.O.

barf-o-rama!

I think I actually made a gaggy sound, but I couldn't hear myself over my headset.

In order to NOT be too tacky or obvious, my eyes roll to the right while my head stays directed at my work out screen; it's a 6ft+, muscular male with do-rag, serious work-out clothes (not fashionable, but definitely serviceable; long sweat shorts and fitted long sleeved shirt, wrist band with IPOD) and he might be a bit older than me. Frankly, without turning my head, it was hard to get a glimpse of his face. Maybe the same age. Call it in the neighborhood of 40-45.

Clearly HE did not learn the rules of "not tacky" and was openly eye-balling my elliptical monitor. At that point I was doing 170 steps/min, pumping my arms and telling myself that refugees trapped in cargo containers have it worse than I do, so quit whining and tune out the scent. My neighbor quickly went from a moderate 145 spm to 180+ spm, passing me in a flurry of flying sweat and dramatic head bobbings. He tried to let go of the handles to pump his arms, but almost fell off the machine.

I did not laugh. It was close, but I didn't want to suck in anymore of his air than I had to and I might have fallen off my machine. But it amused me that someone was actually competing with me. How hysterical is that?

He gave up on the "hands free" tactic and gripped the handles/frame. Then he put his head down and pumped... He went from 182 for about 20 seconds back down to the 140s, then forced himself back up to above 180 for almost a minute. Then he made twitchy motions and let the speed drop. All to the back drop of my music, which was "push the tempo" by ...umm... Fat Boy Slim? DeeLite? ... a fast-paced dance beat. Just as he was flagging, I hit my sprint section, where I hold above 180 spm for a minute.

He still periodically checked my monitor, but he didn't attempt anymore pace-contests.

Comments

[tusya1300.livejournal.com]

Honey... not only was he "competing" with you, he was doing the male thing of "eyeballing the action in motion", which probably 'caused said competion... vicious circle, I know. *grin*

[thread-walker.livejournal.com]

*snort* Eyeballing "my" action? Maybe that's what happens in your world but in mine? yeah. shure. I just don't think so. I'm a out-of-shape, overweight, mother-of 2. I'm not tan, trim, flat-stomached or scantily clad. AND there are some of those wandering through the gym at that time for our viewing pleasure ... you can even see the tops of their g-strings when they work out.

Nah... I'm going to have to agree w/ HRJ- he couldn't believe a gal could out pace him in the fitness realm.

OR... it just occurs to me... maybe he was trying to set his own pace and typically uses the people around him as a sort of pace-setters? like runners do in races. Uh.. now I feel mean. I should have been nicer to the stinky guy. Or at least had nicer thoughts. I'm such a meanie. drat. I hate that about me.

[ldyanna.livejournal.com]

I'm a out-of-shape, overweight, mother-of 2. Except of course, that isn't so true anymore, now is it? He probably was checking you out, and trying to impress you.

[tusya1300.livejournal.com]

'swat I was saying.... not so out of shape, yes mother of two (big deal, doesn't mean you can't be hot), 'cause you are!

[j-i-m-r.livejournal.com]

What she said. That you are the mother of two shows that your sweetie at least considers you to be hot or he wouldn't have knocked you up, twice. Obviously a man of taste, because you are a shapely babe.

[dizzyblonde30.livejournal.com]

*snort* Eyeballing "my" action? Maybe that's what happens in your world but in mine? yeah. shure. I just don't think so. I'm a out-of-shape, overweight, mother-of 2. I'm not tan, trim, flat-stomached or scantily clad. AND there are some of those wandering through the gym at that time for our viewing pleasure ... you can even see the tops of their g-strings when they work out.


Sweetie, you need to take a step back and reprogram the message you're sending to yourself. I'll give you that your'e a mom of two..but girl you are hot and healthy!! Why wouldn't he be checking you out. Be good to yourself now, you've been working very hard on becoming healthy and fit and you're succeeding!! Don't fall back on negative thinking or even your old mind set..Be good to yourself!! (and yes I'm working on this myself :) )

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Eyeballing "my" action?

Hey, I'd eyeball your action any day.

Oops. (mustn'tembarrassmyfriendsmustn'tembarrassmyfriendsmustn't...)

[hrj.livejournal.com]

Hey -- can't have him being beat out by a GUUUUURRRRRLLLL!

[dame-cordelia.livejournal.com]

That fact that you are a very attractive woman and that you were out-doing him on your machine must have driven him crazy. Some people just cannot stand being outdone, and he's a competitive guy. Good thing he didn't collapse after all that exertion.

You were very good not to laugh (out loud) at him.

BO...aargh.

[dakini-bones.livejournal.com]

I hates dat!

As for the competition thing, happens all the time.
Consider it flattering!
Go you stud!