Seat no 8 @ RPM

I try and avoid seat number 8. Seat number 8 is located in the "front row" right in front of the instructor. Today I lucked out. It was the last seat left, so by default it became my seat. To my left there was "the man who grunts". He is pleasant enough when he is not grunting, I just find the grunting very distracting. He did vary it up with a little singing today. To my right, was my sister's "best man". The guy who was the best man at my sister's wedding, 29 years ago. He's recently returned with his wife from living in the UK. That fact aside, until I met him at the gym, I hadn't seen him for about 10 years. I recall him as being quite runty, but now he's got that gym look about him. He's a nice enough guy, I just run out of conversation with him! So, I didn't feel that comfortable seated in no 8 today.

The class itself was OK, a few tracks I like, a few tracks I think are OK. I usually rate it as a 9 or 10/10 class - but today the ride felt like a 7/10. Did the job but that's about all.

The guy that takes the Tuesday 12.30 class has massive "rugby" arms - another part of my evidence that he didn't get those solely by riding RPM classes! He's a PT (personal trainer). He doesn't dispense with the motivational lines about how you want your legs to look (right now, I'd be quite happy if my left leg had less bruises on it - for some unknown reason I seem to knock it against my real bike and the rpm bike when I lean into it and pause). He does though use a line about putting your chest out proud - which I've found actually does help with the breathing - although seated in no 8 I think he probably appreciates the fact I don't put my chest out quite as proud as I could! He has quite a focus on the technical aspect of RPM and is also good re the stretching at the end - which I find helps.

The PT has been at the gym for about as long as I have had my membership - so more or less 9-10 years. I guess he's seen me come and go, and go up and down in weight. I didn't go to his classes for months because of that fact. So, while that is the fact, it doesn't really matter anymore. In fact, it sort of serves to motivate me now re actually crossing the right line this time.