Free Pass

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Today really did feel like I was squeezing it all in.  Squeezing in a nap, squeezing in lunch, squeezing in work.  And squeezing in exercise.

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My second Operation Beautiful presentation concluded at 2:30 – I spoke to about 1,000 middle schoolers and 750 high schoolers today (tough crowds!) – but my flight didn’t depart until 7.  That meant that I had loads of time to burn, even counting the long drive back to the airport.  I knew that I technically should park my booty at a Starbucks and work, but I needed to blow off some steam much, much more.  The only trouble?  I had already checked out of my hotel, so I couldn’t use their gym.

 

But I did some quick Googling and discovered there are loads of gyms around the Syracuse airport.  So one by one, I called each gym to see how much a day pass cost.  I hit the jackpot when one attendant informed me that my first visit would be free – even after I told her that I lived out of state, would definitely never join the gym, and was more than willing to pay for a pass. 

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Some simple paperwork and a costume change later later, I was working out.  Jackpot.

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The gym was really nice, and my workout was exactly what I needed to destress and relax.  I did 20 minutes on the elliptical and a sloooow 20 minute walk on the treadmill.  And then, I did some weights.  Really, really trying to lift more regularly, but it’s a struggle (and always has been – I HATE lifting).

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The only issue?  Well, I wasn’t completely prepared to shower at a gym.  I didn’t have a towel or flip flops.  Oops.  I stood on a plastic bag in the shower (which I wouldn’t recommend, actually, because it was slippery with the soap and definitely a safety hazard).  And I ended up doing the old puppy shake in the shower stall and drying myself with an extra clean shirt.  It wasn’t ideal, but it definitely worked.

 

Three cheers for squeezing in a healthy action!

 

Post-workout dinner at Moe’s.

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Just tofu tacos and chips.  I had an apple on the flight, too.  And then some froyo as I waited for the poor Husband to pick me up curbside.  He really deserves an award – I think he’s driven to and from the airport more than 10 times in the last two weeks!

 

What was your healthy accomplishment of the day?  Go ahead and brag.  Mine was DEFINITELY squeezing in that workout.  Wahoo!

{ 40 comments }

 

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing March 7, 2012, 9:50 pm

    GO YOU!! That is amazing! Especially with no towel or anything.. that alone would’ve made me change my mind.

  • Amanda March 7, 2012, 9:55 pm

    Wow. You. Are. A. Rockstar!!!

    I’m so impressed at your perserverance on that workout, I never would have thought to call around about a day pass!

    You’re inspiring!!

    • CaitlinHTP March 7, 2012, 9:55 pm

      You are sweet 😉

    • Hannah March 7, 2012, 10:01 pm

      I totally agree! That is quite the effort!! And it makes me sooo nervous thinking about slipping and falling in the shower. WHEW!

      • CaitlinHTP March 7, 2012, 10:15 pm

        hahah i totes should’ve just risked foot fungus. it would’ve been much safer!!!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) March 7, 2012, 10:08 pm

    Great job Caitlin! I would have never thought to get in a workout, but that was really a great idea! I hope you get some good rest tonight!

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape March 7, 2012, 10:13 pm

    I’ve never heard of tofu tacos before! Sounds good!!

  • Kath March 7, 2012, 10:14 pm

    The best part was you didn’t have to worry about hauling any beauty products or make-up there to put on! Just shower and go 🙂

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats March 7, 2012, 10:17 pm

    Now that is an accomplishment! I never would have gone to all the effort to find a cheap gym out of town! AWESOME for you!

  • Lindsay March 7, 2012, 10:20 pm

    That’s awesome! I got up Tues at 4am, drove 16 miles (a lot for a very sleepy me) and ran 5 miles with a run group. I am training for a marathon and refuse to give up!

  • colleen March 7, 2012, 10:24 pm

    Awesome! I wouldn’t have thought of calling gyms. GO YOU!

  • Rebecca March 7, 2012, 10:38 pm

    I walked quite a bit today! And I subbed for someone at work this afternoon, so that was even more walking than I’d planned on, but I’m not really complaining.

    Side note: Monday in Spanish, we were informed that those hard shells are not tacos. Hard taco shells (which I don’t like much anyway) are an American/Canadian invention. True Mexican tacos are the round flour/corn tortillas. Prof (who is from Mexico) was very adamant about it, and it was kind of funny.

    • Lsandoe March 7, 2012, 11:49 pm

      lol yes I completely understand. I teach Spanish and had to teach my students that those taco shells are anything but traditional. It kills me when others consider them “authentic”. Coming from Miami though im sure Caitlin knows true Mexican food as well as the rest of Latin America. 🙂

  • Brianna March 7, 2012, 10:50 pm

    Aww you were in my home town! You picked a nice day to come, warmer than usual. . . 😉

  • mary @ what's cookin with mary March 7, 2012, 10:58 pm

    My healthy accomplishment of the day was figuring out how to make my own roasted edamame. They were even better than the store bought bc I could go really light on the salt and add other spices to my taste.

    I also banged out 30 min on the stair mill even when I felt like I wanted to die with 10 minutes to go. I was feeling so sassy, I did planks with a 1 min hold instead of 30 seconds. ^-^

  • Carin March 7, 2012, 11:08 pm

    You go, girl! SO impressed that you motivated yourself to work out and not just have a walk/ sit in a coffee shop/ get to the airport early….

    Wouldn’t your hotel have let you use the gym anyway despite checking out They might have had a towel etc. On the same note – those new Dyson hand air dryers are awesome – surely it’s only a matter of time before you just walk through an arch to get whole body dry after a shower? Wouldn’t THAT be cool!

    How far is the journey from your home to the airport? On of the great things about where we live now is that we’re less than half an hour away – so much easier for picking folks up (like you guys, when you visit NZ next U.S. winter – go on, you know you want to!).

    • Carin March 7, 2012, 11:38 pm

      Oh and my healthy accomplishment of the day was walking in the rain from an outlying suburb back into the city after selling a friend’s car (long story) and choosing a tofu, rice and salad bowl instead of a pizza lunch!

  • Zoe LaPier March 7, 2012, 11:41 pm

    I rested today…it was much needed and my knee thanks me. I also made some Mexican-flavored hummus. It was great with carrots, but would be so much better with tortilla chips.

  • Laura @ She Eats Well March 7, 2012, 11:56 pm

    SO impressed by your motivation to work out but I totally understand…sometimes you just must get that sweat session in. Healthy accomplishment today was waking up at 5:50am to run…but wasn’t too healthy after that. Lets just say afternoon sugar high…and not enough water. Tomorrow is a new day!

  • Amber K March 8, 2012, 12:59 am

    Nothing nearly as big as that! I did finally get back to a TRX class yesterday. And I am SORE today. Just goes to show that I really do need to strength train more often!

  • Dental Consultant March 8, 2012, 1:51 am

    Wow I like your determination to have workout Caitlin! I hope I can do that also becuase i feel that I really need workout too. Keep it up girl! You can do that. Are you having a workout everyday?

  • Brittnie (A Joy Renewed) March 8, 2012, 5:55 am

    Way to get in that workout! I have to agree with you – my healthy accomplishment of the week has definitely been getting in a few hour long power walks + stretches. Ironically, it makes the 31 week pregnancy swelling just a tad bit better after I exercise.

  • Kelly March 8, 2012, 6:33 am

    You are so impressive!

  • Karlee March 8, 2012, 6:53 am

    i squeezed in 3 servings of vegetables, and did 50 minutes of cardio!

  • Hillary March 8, 2012, 6:59 am

    That is dedication, my friend!

    I ran my fastest 5k in a LONG TIME yesterday. I’m running my second half marathon next Saturday, and training is winding down—which is making me feel like a beast! It felt so good to run fast; I just hope I can keep it up for race day!

  • Dennis Murray March 8, 2012, 7:34 am

    If you hate lifting, you need a better program for lifting.

  • Kristin March 8, 2012, 7:40 am

    u are a rockstar Caitlin!!!!!

  • Jessica March 8, 2012, 7:59 am

    Go you!! And just some random blog love…I realized that I always save your blog until the end when I’m catching up on my RSS feed….save the best ’til last! 🙂

  • Amber @ Busy, Bold, Blessed March 8, 2012, 8:02 am

    Good job! I ran 4.75 miles yesterday during a gorgeous sunset, it was awesome!

  • Molly @ RDexposed March 8, 2012, 8:14 am

    Crazy windy walking during lunch break!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin March 8, 2012, 8:19 am

    You’re so dedicated! That’s too funny how you improvised without your towel or shower shoes. 😀

    My healthy accomplishment of today was running 3.75 miles before 7:30 am. I almost never have the motivation to workout that early!

  • Emily March 8, 2012, 8:39 am

    Nice job to you and to google to for helping you out! You definitely hit the jackpot, and I am thinking you rock with your “i’ll never get a membership, so I should pay you something” honesty! I admittedly am not sure I would be so forthcoming, so good for you!

  • Sarah @ See Sarah Eat March 8, 2012, 8:42 am

    I looooove the tofu at Moe’s! And I really admire your dedication, in everything that you do 🙂

  • linda March 8, 2012, 9:21 am

    Five stars for that workout effort! The shower would have killed the deal for me.

  • Coco March 8, 2012, 10:26 am

    Awesome job–I hardly ever take the effort to do much when I’m travelling, so kudos to you.

    My healthy action yesterday was taking a walk outside at lunch when really I was in the mood to sit at my desk and read a book. Today, I plan on doing the same loop outside!

  • Kelli March 8, 2012, 11:38 am

    I lifted weights too, even though I was really exhausted & ready to nap. It felt good & it kept me on track for hitting my workout goals for the week. Win win!
    I bet that middle school & high schoolers are a really tough crowd. Way to go powering through all those presentations. I bet it will feel great to be able to stay home & nest now!
    Any updates on the house you guys had put an offer on? HOpe that it works out!

    • Caitlin March 8, 2012, 11:52 am

      We will hopefully close at the end of the month… but WHO KNOWS in the world of real estate! LOL

  • cm @ Lazy Healthy March 8, 2012, 12:12 pm

    Oh funny. I live in Syracuse. I’m not originally from anywhere near here though. I’m glad you found something that worked for you. Next time, ask for recommendations, and I’ll be glad to give some! You have to work a little harder to find the good stuff in this city!

  • Maggie @ ReadySetBreathe March 8, 2012, 1:29 pm

    Did you speak in Syracuse City Schools? Such a great district! PS – I’m looking for a new gym in Syracuse – where was this one??

    • Caitlin March 8, 2012, 2:19 pm

      I spoke at Indian River High and Middle 🙂 It was Champion’s Gym!

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