Friday, October 16, 2015

The Gym Dropoff

We joined the Y last week, primarily to keep Benjamin in the water over the winter. It had already been a month and he's pretty rusty (though still plenty daring).

It was the last day for a no joiner fee, so we figured we'd be saving a month's worth anyway since we planned to join in November. (...and now there's a no joiner fee from Oct. 23-25, go figure.)

I put on my Turkey Trot 5k shirt this morning and Benjamin noticed the big Y on the front. The Pittsburgh Turkey Trot is affiliated with their local YMCA, apparently. Benjamin told me he wanted to go back to "the Y place, that Y-M-C-day place again). Today, in fact. Perfect, because it turned out our plans were lining up quite nicely.

This morning, I dropped the husband off at work because his car is in the shop and we were on our way to the gym. I wanted to keep my streak of 5 days in a row workouts going. I usually run about 2 miles to Benjamin's school for pickup with Claire in the double stroller, but Benjamin doesn't have school on Fridays.

Claire is attached at the hip to me. I prefer she weren't, but she has other interests. Benjamin, on the other hand, probably wouldn't notice I left for about a week. When we approach places she's been left before briefly (i.e. friends' houses, church nursery), she clings to me like ferocious lions are at my feet.

Needless to say, I was a little nervous about leaving her at in the free gym daycare dropoff. I chose a Friday so Benjamin, one of her safe people (never thought I'd use those words!), would be with her. I was nervous that without him there, she would be more likely to scream her lungs out for the whole hour I left her. I just didn't feel right leaving her in the arms of poor gym daycare workers, knowing how busy they were and knowing it's really not their job to engage with my kids so much as keep them safe.

Because baby, you know if I get "free" childcare that doesn't have to be re-payed in any way, I'm using it.

She cried at dropoff. I showed her the babies and she was thrilled, but that didn't stop her from looking at me with betrayal eyes as I skated out.

So guess what? I ran 5 miles on the treadmill. Sure, it was at zero incline, but I just kept running my buns off until I was left with little time for any more. I haven't run 5 miles ever in the state of Illinois. Seriously. I haven't ran that distance since living on the beach in LA about 6 years ago.

It felt good. It felt great. I could've kept going even. But alas, the clock was ticking.

When I clocked out and cleaned the machine, I went over and spied on Claire from the top railing (such a cool feature) and she and Benjamin were content playing with toys. I scooped them up, at which time Claire started her betrayal crying again, and we hit the pool, had nice warm showers and headed home for lunch.

That $79 a month is turning out to be well spent.

I'm now making tentative plans for spin classes on Saturday mornings with the hubs (I totally hate that nickname but it seems fitting for fancy moms with gym memberships) in our near future.

That kid play area just became my bee eff eff.

(After Andrew died, I would've never imagined being able to write this post. #feelinggrateful)

7 comments:

Caroline said... [Reply to comment]

So many things to comment on.

1. I've debated joining the Y as well because I want to be able to swim. This has me even more tempted to do so.
2. Yay for the 5 miles - the fact that you haven't done it in so long and then just busted it out - you're clearly naturally in great shape. I wish we lived close so we could run together. Or just leave the kids with the hubs and head to Target.
3. Claire and Mary seriously are the exact same. Which is cute as I feel like all the mannerisms Claire has had since she was really little were the same as Mary's - but Mary is totally the same about dropping her off somewhere, especially if she remembers it from a previous betrayal! And the crying when you walk back in, like, "oh thank GOD - it's been HORRIBLE!"

Amelia said... [Reply to comment]

I really miss city living. No Y here. You are AMAZING! I can't imagine just throwing down 5 miles! Get it girl!

second floor dweller said... [Reply to comment]

Yay for Y Care! And five miles! And Y Care! Frances begs to go.

I hate treadmills though.

Mama Bear said... [Reply to comment]

Yay, we had just started using the gym childcare before we upended our Minnesota life. It was nice! Impressive running. I'm pretty sure I could only run 5 miles if I was being chased.

Brie said... [Reply to comment]

I love gym daycare almost as much as naptime. i honestly think that finding some "me" time to exercise is important for all of us. Get those endorphins going!!!

Lj82 said... [Reply to comment]

I would legitimately die if I had to run 5 minutes, let alone 5 miles. Good for you. :)

I love Claire's betrayal eyes. bahahah

A Few Good Eggs said... [Reply to comment]

I've never done the gym drop-off, but I am SO tempted (I miss swimming laps so much). Perhaps once B turns one I'll feel better about it? You've given me courage!