inner dialogue: treadmill version

The sky looked like this yesterday afternoon. I don't think it actually ever rained, but I was sure at any moment it was going to downpour. Darn it. I wanted to get a run in.  I'm a fair-weather girl. I wish I was all geared out and and into extreme conditions, and precipitation- but I'm not. It takes enough motivation as it is. When the weather is bad I almost always flake out. I drove away from the clouds and headed to the gym.

Headphones in hand, I hopped on the treadmill and watched the minutes begin to tick away. 

1:04- Dear God, I'm here to do penance for the mid-afternoon lack of self-control. I'm sorry for eating a hand full of chocolate chips. That was out of line. Please forgive me.

1:59- It's been a busy day. I'm glad I'm here. Good job me. I even have a cute pony tail today.

3:07- (Notice the Teenage Trixie to my left.) Are those her shorts or her underwear? Whatever. I can take her. Maybe she wants to race?

4:23- Over exaggerate when inserting headphones into my ears in order to avoid the conversation that the middle-aged man to my right is trying to strike up. I'm not interested in the basketball game dude.

6:01- Warm-up over. Time to run. 

7:39- This is a nice pace. I'm energized.

10:01- Huh. I've only been running 4 minutes? Weird, feels longer.

12:01- Whoa, my throat feels like I just swallowed a handful of gravel. I wonder if I could reach my water bottle on the ground without stopping? Without falling off?

13:01- I've only been running 7 minutes? Ugh. I miss the fresh air and my view. 

15:00- I'm going to die (gasp, pant) turn my headphones louder. I don't want to hear myself breathe.

17:22- Look at those dark clouds. It's 8:00pm. I should be home cuddled under a blanket on the couch crocheting. But then, I would have a butt that looked like I sat on the couch crocheting. 

17:23- Remembering  this: 

(there is no such thing as a bubble where we only see each other from flattering angles and in good lighting- RUN!)

20:32- Oh bye-bye Teeny Bopper Girl. I knew you wouldn't last. Enjoy the tanning bed. I'm just gonna stay here and burn calories.

24:58- Yay, it's Kings of Leon I love this song. Up my pace to 5 mph.

27:39- Pony tail is falling out.

29:13- I'm doing this. Just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Only 10 minutes and 47 seconds to go.

32:00- Don't quit. You cannot quit. Keep running. 

33:17- It feels good to sweat. Wipe my face with the towel they gave me at the front desk, see evidence that my mascara is running.

33:18- Remembering this:

34:44- Home stretch. Wow, it is way easier to run on this belt than on the pavement around my neighborhood. Maybe there is something to this 0% incline "no hills" thing.

37:12- What day is it? What time is it? I'm lost. In a good way.

40:01- Done? Already? I was just hitting my stride. That was SO easy. 

Endorphins- yes!! I'm awesome. Flying high. Let's go try on bathing suits or something.

I think I might puke.