I've changed, man

Those who've known my sedentary since my days at Big University (BU) will be shocked -- shocked! -- to learn that I joined a gym about a month ago. My attendance record is still a little spotty, but so far so good.

I'm writing about this because I wanted to describe the emasculating feeling of lowering the weight on the machines that work your pectoral and deltoid muscles. I shudder when I have to lower one of those contraptions from, oh I don't know, 230 lbs. down to a more reasonable 85. Ouch.

While I'm on the subject, I'll ask another question that's been confusing me: What's with those super muscular dudes who just wander around the gym without working out? How did they get so strong if all they do is talk to the pretty trainers?

It feels good to be sore

It's hard for even me to believe that I ran a 5K yesterday, though I suppose it's less surprising if I tell you it was part of the "Pub Series" of races in the Boston area.

Even more shocking is that I beat my personal best for that distance, despite a complete and total lack of training. I finished at 33:30, about three minutes ahead of my pace the last time I ran three miles, of 36+ minutes.

That 36+ time was waaaaaaaay back in 1992, when I was 14 and had to run three miles in the final preseason practice for my soccer team. Who knew present-day NaturalBlog (5'9" 175 lbs.) could beat youthful NaturalBlog (5'3" 153 lbs.)? I'm shocked. Shocked!

But will it stick? Who knows. For what it's worth, I rode my bike to work this morning.