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April 27, 2007
High speed and lowbrow
but my resting pulse rate is excellent
So yesterday I was—much like Fergie--up in the gym just workin’ on my fitness via the elliptical trainer. My gym has a slew of cardio machines crowded together in one giant room, the front of which is lined with TV monitors airing 24-hour news channels. As a general rule, I hate watching TV while exercising, especially grim broadcasts about war/disease/global warming/corporate corruption/senseless violence. There is a time and a place for sober reflection on the state of this crazy, messed-up world, but sweating on the Stairmaster ain’t it. I work hard to get the endorphins flowing—I don’t need cable news killing my buzz. Why can’t the powers that be change the channel to, say, VH1 so we can all watch “I love the 80s” marathons while we toil on the treadmill? Or TLC? Or even the Food Network? Tantalize me with something delicious to motivate me to work off all these calories!
But I digress.
Anyway, I usually plug into my iPod and do my best to ignore the televisions, but yesterday the networks interrupted their regularly scheduled programming to bring us a high-speed car chase live from the L.A. freeways.
That was the fastest hour I’ve ever spent doing cardio.
High-speed car chases are the official pastime of Los Angeles, and they happen A LOT. There’s an actual subscription service you can sign up with that will send an alert to your cell phone every time there’s drama on the 405. People sit around in Pasadena sports bars and place bets on how long the rogue driver’s gas tank can hold out. (I think this has something to do with the fact that all Angelenos are secretly jealous that they can’t ever escape traffic and go above 15 mph on any area highway. It would almost be worth it to have your tires shot out and get thrown into jail if you could have all six lanes cleared in your honor.)
Twenty minutes into the chase, all the weightlifters, personal trainers, and front desk staffers had left their posts to cluster around the TVs and ooh and aah. No one bothered to disguise their prurient fascination. The stationery bikes and treadmills closest to the screens filled up in 3 seconds flat. I guess everyone loves a parade.
Just imagine how membership would soar if they’d start tuning in to NBA playoff games or "Sex and the City" reruns. Wow. I think I may have singlehandedly solved our nation’s growing health crisis!
Posted by Beth at 11:42 PM | Comments (7)
Comments
I know what you mean, Beth! My gym has the news stations and then usually one talk show thingie. I think members of the Davis Athletic Club may have been the only people watching the Megan Mullaly Show.
Posted by: The LC Eileen ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.literarychicks.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 28, 2007 1:38 PM
hehehe That's why I'd rather excercise at home... just me and my TiVo. ;)
Posted by: Amber at April 28, 2007 1:51 PM
I leap and kick and crunch along to my Denise Austen DVDs. I love Denise Austen, she's just so...so...cheerful!
Posted by: Michelle C at April 28, 2007 2:32 PM
I am so with you on hating to have the news shoved in your face when you're trying to get that mental high from exercise. Huge pet peeve!
Along the lines of the car chase fantasies, I have promised myself that before I hand over the keys when I'm 85 and no longer a good driver, I'm going out with a bang...and a crash...and a sweet-old-lady oops. I'm going to force the insurance company to pay out ALL the premiums I've paid over the years.
Posted by: Laura Fitzgerald at April 28, 2007 5:13 PM
Laura,
I want to know the month and year of your 85th birthday and I want to know where you plan to be so I can stay the hell off the road. :D
Posted by: Janina at April 28, 2007 9:01 PM
Oh I love watching the high speed car chases out of LA. Its one of the reasons I love satellite. Nothing beats Hal Fishman's commentary. "If this is your yard... stay inside..." Makes me lmao every time
Posted by: Lis at April 28, 2007 10:15 PM
I couldn't have anything that exciting on while I'm on the treadmil or I'd forget to tread. I do enjoy a good car chase though :)
Posted by: wendy roberts at April 29, 2007 12:46 AM
