MN update from Mel

This is a rest day musing from Mel’s adventures in Minnesota and nursing school.  We miss her already.

We asked if we could share her experiences with the group and she heartily agreed.

So……enjoy the story.  Thanks, Mel.  Hurry home.

"So, after one week I am still alive.  I had a flat tire on my bike

three blocks from the car on the first morning of class.  I now know

that it takes 22 minutes to walk from my parking space (riding only

takes five...).  At least I have that first "late day" out of the

way!  I bought my fitness pass a few days ago so I can use "the weight

room".  I asked the student worker for a tour and she was taken

aback.  When I questioned if it wasn't her job to do tours she smiled

and just commented on the fact that it was 3 pm and I was the first one

of the day that wanted a tour.  I was mostly curious of what this

"fitness expert" was going to tell me.  She asked if I was faculty

here...I suppose I was old enough to be her mother.  I know, it's

starting already.  It's all relative of what you surround yourself

with.  Here on campus I'm an old dog.  I asked her if they had a

pullup bar, kettle bell, plyo box, abmat, row machine, racks and

medicine balls.  They have one pullup bar and one ancient rowing

machine.  The guy behind the desk did tell me that they have one plyo

box that they keep behind the desk, and I would have to ask to use it

each time and that it was "really high.”  So, I asked him if I could

use it.  It's a 24" box.  He then proceeded to pepper me with endless

questions about CrossFit.  My quick workout stop was turning into an

extended education secession.  I had to go into the bowels of the

building to find the kettle bell "instructor" to get special

permission to check out a bell each time I want to use one, carry it

up to "the weight room" and then be gawked at by all the guys pumping

iron.  Good thing I don't care about such things.  I think I can make

it work when I'm stuck on campus on long days.  In the mean time I

have begun to set up my own "house of pain" (as my sister now calls

it) in the garage.  Looks like I'll have just about everything I need

within two weeks (seems like an eternity).  I have already discovered

that sitting for long periods in a lecture does not suit me.

Cheers, Mel

p.s. Things I learned today:

The muscular jolt people have just before falling asleep is caused by

the cerebellum checking for proprioception (just in case you are so

tired from studying while in nursing school that you are falling

asleep while standing).

Also, if you park within 20 feet of a sidewalk, even if there are no

signs or other indicators, it will cost you 20 bucks.  Writing

expletives on the check will not change the fact that you have to pay

the fine but it will make you feel better.  It will also enable you to

do more pull ups in a row than you previously thought possible.  I got

to thinking if I was just pissed off just before each time I worked

out maybe I would P.R. more.  Then I thought I don't get pissed off

that often so my plan to scoop Kristen Clever in the next worked was

foiled!"