When we go out to eat, my husband likes to joke that I always know what’s going on at the table next to me.  I confess- I’m an eavesdropper, always have been always will be.  What I have a much harder time admitting is this- I am also the person who always knows what’s happening on the treadmill next to her.  

I’m really not competitive, except with myself.  I’m mostly interested in running my personal best and realizing self-imposed goals.  I usually don’t compare my race times to anyone else’s. And I really, really, really try not to peek at my neighbor’s miles per hour during Boot Camp.

Today we ran a series of 30 second sprints followed by 30 seconds of recovery.  I began at a speed of 8.5, planning to add small increments with each subsequent sprint.  I had a plan- to run hard, but not so hard that I couldn’t complete the strength training portion of class.  Well that scheme went out the window as soon as I found my eyes wandering.  A couple of sprints in, my pal on the next treadmill was already on a 10  for speed.  I did what any self-respecting, yet not competitive, person would do- I sped up to 10.1/a 5:56 mile.  Before you become too impressed, remember that I only held this speed for 30 seconds.  But hold it I did, like my life (or pride) depended upon it AND went on to finish class with 200 squats, 120 push-ups,  and 120 crunches!!!  OK, now you can be dazzled. I was pretty knocked out myself.