Training --- Aunt Louise : FTU Week # 6: Free Socks

Saturday, September 6, 2014

FTU Week # 6: Free Socks

So, I went this morning to the sixth meeting of this Foot Traffic University half-marathon prep session.

It was in the downtown Foot Traffic store. Downtown Portland. In case I've never mentioned this to anyone besides everyone I know, I really hate downtown Portland. I hate driving there, I hate walking there, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera. I'm trying to think of anything I like about downtown Portland. Oh, yeah, Powell's, and the Foot Traffic downtown store. And that music store near Powell's. But getting there, not so much --- or, really, not at all.

Anyway, the plan was to run 5 to 7 miles today, and the route was through a bunch of streets in downtown Portland. Why? Because it's there. Because the store is there. Because the streets are there... Not enough good reasons for me.

So I went and waited around for my "free" socks, then left. Went back to my home town and ran my 6-1/2 miles along my own usual lake trail.

But the "free" socks were good. If I ever want to pay $15 for a pair of socks, these are the ones I will buy. However, one free pair is enough.

And I mention all this because...why? Because every time I go, I learn something new. This time, I learned that you're not supposed to put your micro-fiber or any kind of synthetic sports clothes, including your fifteen-dollar socks, in the dryer. The lady doing the demonstration said, "Hello, you don't put your jeans in the dryer, so why would you put your socks in the dryer?"

I was thinking "Why, indeed?" because, Hello, I've always put my jeans along with all my other clothes in the dryer,. Then, to my relief, another FTU runner said, "Hmm, I guess I'm not as sophisticated about laundry as she thinks I should be," and everyone else nodded.

I'm running the dryer right now. And my jeans are in it. But all my fifteen-dollar socks and other microfiber and "tech" micro-fiber items are drying outside the dryer. Because, heck, I learned something today.

1 comment:

LFPSeptember 8, 2014 at 11:33 AM
There is something about fifteen-dollar socks that make me not put them into the dryer too. Same for forty-dollar running pants. But jeans? Is this woman from another planet?
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The Sayings of Derek

Here are just a few of the funny, unique, sometimes maddening, but always motivational sayings of Derek, the trainer who has helped me for more than a year now, from his early-morning spin class, boot camp class, and small group training:

---Your feelings do not matter. Your feelings do not produce success. So focus on what does produce success. Suck it up and drive on. Hammer it out.

---This is nothing but a challenge. This is a test, and I don't think you can do it. But prove me wrong.

---Now we're starting a 19-minute hill. Is that extreme? Yes, it is. Because I'm an extreme person. My philosophy is that if something is only worth doing in moderation, it's not worth doing at all.

---See if you can keep up with me. Trust me. I will smoke you.

---Come on! Come on! Don't waste your time!

---Tempo! Tempo! Tempo!

---There are two groups of people in this class: those who are not trying for a specific fitness goal, and that's fine---and those who have a goal, and they THINK they're working hard for it, but they're not.

---I'm trying to motivate people, and tell them how they can do better, but sometimes I wonder, why don't they get it --- when I'm looking right at them?

---You got up and came here at 5:30 in the morning, and you're not trying your hardest? Then what are you doing here? You're wasting your time.

---Quit your crying and start trying.

---You didn't get less than three hours of sleep because your newborn baby was crying. Nah, that's not your excuse. That's my excuse. You don't have an excuse.

---I'm not telling you to grab a drink. You're adults. You know when you're thirsty, and I shouldn't have to tell you to get a drink.

---I'm working harder than you, and this isn't even my workout.

---Don’t let me be more committed to your fitness goals than you are. That’s pathetic. But here’s a hint: Try to keep up with me. If you’re not sure what to do, watch me. Follow me.

---You need to get rid of that wishbone and replace it with some backbone.

---This is all performance based.

---This is all about effort. You get out what you put in.

---What? Your legs hurt? My legs hurt, and my lower back hurts. The only difference between you and me is I don’t care. I push past the pain.

---You may be saying, Oh, I’m not in shape. But it’s not physical, it’s mental. It’s all mental. Yeah, I’m in your head now.

---Why are you going so slow? This ain’t a walk in the park.

---Trust me. I’m gonna work you hard. I’m just here to help you.

---The only difference between you and me is time and effort.

---You can’t achieve victory without a struggle. You have to really own it. What price are you willing to pay, what pain are you willing to accept, to achieve victory?

---Keep the hammer on. Press it down.