Burien Business

We’re only a few weeks into a brand spankin’ New Year and, so far, I’ve done pretty well on keeping my resolution - getting back into shape.

I decided to join one of those Spinning classes, at the Highline Athletic Club in Burien. I got to class early, so that I could secure a position way in the back - I was there for exercise, not humiliation therapy!

I hadn’t ridden a bike in probably twenty years and I had been warned about the mercilessly hard seats, so I came prepared with a fluffy towel to sit on. I didn’t know that they had gelled seats to loan.

So, while I’m still fumbling around with all of the adjustments, I hear Marilyn, the instructor, bellow out, “Let’s ride!” The music is pounding, the pedals are whirring and there’s a sea of faces with smiles framing their gritted teeth. I hop on my trusty steed, throw my feet into the stirrups and look for someone to place my focus - a mentor for motivation.

Up in the front row, I see a tight, trim wisp of a girl, with perfect muscle definition on her legs and triceps. I’ve found my mentor and put my focus on keeping up with her, as she cranks up the resistance and pounds the pedals. I’m surprised to see that she has grey hair, but then there are a lot of people who grey early. Actually, that’s even better, because we’re probably closer to the same age.

A half hour later, my new mentor is clippin’ along - right on the beat. I, however, am hitting every other beat and have turned the resistance wa-a-ay down to something more manageable. We hit our last “hill” and the ride is over.

As my mentor climbs off her bike, I see that she’s older than I thought. However, before I can get my bike wiped down and make my way over to her, she’s gone with the wind. I find out, from the instructor, that her name is Barb Hunt and she’s 75 years old.

“You gotta be kiddin’ me?!” I blurt out. “I’ve just gotta talk to this little gal.” So I ran through the gym and finally caught up with her. The first thing I noticed was how bright and alert her eyes were and that her perfect posture and whole demeanor is that of a healthy twenty year old. In just a few minutes, I found out why.

FULL STORY AT HIGHLINETIMES.COM RIGHT HERE

Quote by David Ogilvy