Starling Fitness: Daily writings on Fitness, Diet, and Health

After Mike’s bike was stolen, something changed in me. I have only ridden my bike to work once since that incident. That doesn’t mean I haven’t exercised, I just haven’t felt like riding my bike to work lately. I don’t know what’s going on there, but I’m sure I’ll feel better about it. Probably about the time that the snow flies and riding to work is cold and wet instead of hot and sweaty. Wet from sweat or wet from snow. Doesn’t matter either way.

I’ve been going to the gym some mornings. Mostly, I’ve been walking around the industrial park on my lunch hour. I spend the entire hour walking at a quick pace past businesses that whizzed by when I was on my bike and are completely invisible when I am in my car.

On the corner, there is a company with the word textile in its name. I had no idea what they did there, but now, I think they must wash linens. The smell of laundry detergent and fabric softener surround the building like a fragrant cloud. As a child, my mom did laundry on the same day that she cleaned house. Just the smell of a dryer running makes me think everything around me is clean and fresh and new.

Lynn Wilson has finally cut the shrubs in front of their building. It would be safe for me to ride my bike past them now. It’s not an issue when I’m walking, however. Some days, they smell like chimichangas. I think the strength of the scent of fried food is a function of my hunger and not a function of what they are creating in that huge, industrial building.

They dug a big hole in front of one of the buildings. The sidewalk is obliterated and I am forced to walk on the street. Sometimes I read when I’m walking, so I’m scared that I will fall into the big hole. The construction workers look at me apologetically. Just because they demolished my sidewalk doesn’t mean that I blame them, but they still say sorry to me with their eyes.

I guess it doesn’t matter whether I ride my bike to work, walk around at lunch or go to the gym in the dark. As long as I am moving my body and keeping active, I still get stronger. I’m so grateful that I have so many options available to me.