expect the unexpected

today, i woke up and got ready to have an adventure.

the previous night i had made mental plans to wake up early, wash my face, put on some sweats, and travel down to the fitness center to work out. for the first time.

i have been pondering visiting the fitness center for some time now, and i decided i needed to just get ready and do it. i had pinpointed the location of the center on a map of campus that i had, but i had never been there before.

after i got my little work out bag organized (water, keys, id card, phone, ipod) i stopped and remembered the philosophy that my "explorer of the world" book extolled. expect the unexpected. so i repeated the mantra in my head, and began my trek downhill and across the boulevard.

first it took me twenty minutes alone walking around trying to find the dang place. i weaved back and forth, and around each building getting close enough to read each sign with my short-sighted eyes. not it. not it. not it. until finally i double backed and went to the very first building.

fitness center
it proclaimed
beneath the stadium

i was bewildered. the fitness center is beneath the stadium? i shrugged and winded my way to the stadium, through the gates, and over the track.

i walked to the entrance, and was met with a big grey and unfriendly concrete door.

i threw open the door, and bravely walked in. i immediately thought. why the hell did i even want to expect the unexpected?

so, apparently it was man morning. there was no treadmills, bicycles, or tepid exercise machines. just a lot (A LOT) of jocky men working out. there was no second level designated for girls. just a fitness center full of men. i was confused, shocked, and very mentally disturbed.

there was no one at the desk to approve of my id, and for some reason i kept walking into the place. activity stopped, men stared, and some grinned. and no one helped me. i was a total damsel in distress. floundering in a sea of weights and dumbbells.

and i didn't stop there. i actually walked all the way to the end of the complex (which wasn't very long). on the way i impeded the five men doing quick jog stepping exercises. i nearly collided with two as i hurried past. at the time, i believe my instincts were kicking in. escape! escape! i had spotted an exit at the end and was practically running to it. i stopped short when my eyes finally distinguished the writing upon it.

emergency exit only. alarm will sound if opened.

disheartened, i whipped around, and walking quickly back through the mass of sweaty and masculine bodies. being careful to avoid the jog steppers. i zeroed in on the way i had come in and speed walking back through it.

i actually ran all the way back to the boulevard in my hurry to get the heck out out of the place. the shock didn't wear off until hours later. i still cringe even now.

i have not formed an opinion on the pros and cons of "expect the unexpected," but i do know that i will never set foot in the fitness center again. instead, i have plans to find a sedate and deserted hill to claim as my own natural treadmill.