I'm a great fan of "to do" lists. I installed Post-it software on my computer specifically for this purpose. Well, specifically so I can type out my to do lists days in advance, and then put the extremely satisfying "DONE" next to each task.
I checked off my last "to do" task - outlining my tax law course - with shaky, sweaty hands last night. I think my feet were drenched in steamy sweat too. My right forearm was twitchy from overexertion. I am really full of terrible ideas.
All because of a simple entry on my "to do" list: "rollers." I escaped the library early yesterday to meet a friend who was selling his rollers on the cheap. With only two single-speeds, I was advised that trainers wouldn't be nearly as effective, so when the rollers went up for sale, I immediately called dibs. The first person claiming them dropped out - lucky[?] for me.
As I planted "DONE" next to tasks already completed late last night, I saw the "rollers" entry. For me, that originally meant "get cash, be at home to pick them up." That somehow turned into "well, let's try them out!"
This is sort of the time I kind of wish I had roommates to stop me from indulging my insanity. Against my better judgment, I set up the rollers in my hallway and propped my bike on top of it. And then I climbed on. That was the easy part. Now I had to actually get on my bike that was supported by this thing called air, and try to balance. I was half bracing myself against the wall, my hands flooding with nervous sweat as I attempted to push the pedals. Hunched over, clinging to my bars for dear life, I tried not to think about Mark's roommate, who managed to fly off his trainer into his TV, or Jones's friend who flew into his dorm room closet at 35mph.
I'll admit, my courage lasted me a scant 10 minutes on the rollers, and that includes trying to get on. I left it in the hallway though, right in front of my door. I'm hoping the guilt of seeing it when I walk into my apartment will serve as extra motivation. And hopefully it'll also stop my hands from constantly sweating every time I think about them. Because unless I can master those rollers, my fantasy of watching movies with bike friends who are all on rollers/trainers is going to stay just that...and that's just unacceptable.