Ashley said “hi,” and I felt guilty. Or sad, or…? It was definitely a twinge of something.
I had raced into the Rec Center for a quick “anything” work-out before Matt’s football practice ended at seven. A bit of a haul from his practice field, but I’m slightly dedicated and didn’t have any desperate grocery needs…
And Ashley paused from her conversation to say, “I’ve got you Heather,” as I walked by, ID-less as usual (because I am SO tired of the necessary discount cards I have to carry for area groceries, pharmacies and gas stations and refuse to keep any more laminations than absolutely necessary).
I do all my weight work and the occasional cardio at the Westerville Community Center. They have a card-swipe system, and I have a deer-in-the-headlights photo card ID somewhere in this world.
But I never use it.
And Ashley and Pam and Amber and Liz all know my name and punch me through before I even make it down the long hallway to the check-in desk. We even talk sometimes. Kind of a “Cheers” thing minus the dim lighting, laugh track and alcohol…
The guilt or sadness, or whatever it might be, lies in the knowing that I’ll be leaving them soon. For the bigger newer gym being built five minutes closer to my house…
They won’t know my name at the new place. I’ll probably have to bring my card or state my name or something. And while the proximity and cross-training possibilities will rev up my routine –and I can’t wait to test myself on three floors of fitness equipment (!), I know I’ll be losing something too…
I hope you can drop in to say hi to your friends sometimes, Heather. It is hard to say goodbye for new beginnings. Can’t wait to hear new gym stories.
Have a super start to the week!
Great post and photo!!!
Hugs, JJ
I stopped by my old gym the other day for some protein powder. It is no longer a World Gym, but something else.
And I didn’t know the guy at the front desk.
And even though I’ve not been there in two years I sort of missed it, despite the changes and new faces.
Gyms? People want you to exercise there, so I stay away.
JJ: At least we’ll all be “the new kids” at the new gym, but I will definitely miss all the people I’ve gotten to know at the rec center over the past couple of years.
Delmer: Kind of like driving by a place you used to live, huh? You spot some changes and then wonder if you’re remembering it right…
I’m in the gym more than I’m at the grocery, so there is a lot of “familiar” there.
Jean-Luc: Ha! Which is why I stay away from the kitchen…!
Our lives are made up of a blend of the old and safe and the new and energizing though slightly intimidating. We need a blend of the two.
Soon they’ll know you at the new gym too.
I belong to LifeTime and on Saturday went to a location that was near the rink where I dropped off my son. It was the first time I was there and I felt different haven’t to orient myself to the layout of equipment. I even had to ask for directions to the locker room. It felt good to go back to the two gyms I normally use.
Suzanne: This is my final week at the Rec (have to use an interim gym until the new place opens in December; way too complicated!). It seems like everyone I’ve ever met there is popping up during my work-out times this week!
But you are right… I’ll meet interesting people at the new place too and am fortunate to carry a few ongoing friendships with me from the Rec.
StewartAllyn: Your “Family Night at the Gym” post is so funny! Congrats on a great idea; hope tonight’s gym time builds upon the joys of last week…