A Bit Wiped Out
March 15th, 2006 by MarkI’ve finally gotten so sick how I’ve gotten out of shape that I’ve actually started busing back to Táibĕi. In Guīshān, there’s no gym or even anyplace to run where I don’t have to avoid dogs and dodge traffic. I have little choice. Fortunately, now that I’m officially a full-time teacher, I don’t have to stay at the office outside my class hours, as long as I get my work done. I have classes from 1:30 to 5:00 every afternoon, 7:30 to 9:30 on TuWF evenings, and from 1:00 to 6:00 on Saturdays. On the two days I only have 3 hours of class (Mondays and Thursdays), I have time to make it into the city to work out. Before I came to Taiwan, I could literally run twenty miles, and I had a good amount of muscle, too. Now I’m five pounds lighter with a waist that’s nearly ten inches bigger. Not good.
The only problem is, it’s an hour ride each way. Last night, I finished my last hour of classes at 5pm, and spent an hour or so making some tests, and tweaking the curriculum for my second grade class a bit. Then I got on the bus and went into the city, so I could work out at California Fitness. After an hour on the treadmill and some weight-lifting, I walked to the bus station to wait for my ride back. I didn’t get home until about 11:00.
I got back into the office by 11:30pm and started listening to my Tuesday/Friday students’ taped homework. Since they’re a new class, I have to listen to all the tapes. The good side is, I was able to do some grading at the same time. The bad side is, I didn’t make it out of the office until 3:30am and I had to be back in there for five hours of classes, plus an entrance exam, plus a make up test for one of my students, plus another hour and a half of grading books. I have a similar schedule tomorrow. I’m really, really not sure if I’ll have the energy to make it to the gym again on Friday.
:
March 15th, 2006 at 8:53 am
Dear God. I applaud your wanting to get back in shape (I have the same ambitions, but with you the ‘back,’ just in shape for the first time), but a schedule like this is going to make it hard to get the sleep that good health requires…
March 15th, 2006 at 11:57 am
Yeah. This city sucks. No gym. No movie theater. No dàmàichăng. No night market! Not even a path back to the city that I’m allowed to drive my scooter on. Just one really awesome school… that keeps me very busy.
I have no illusions about rejoining a cross-country team. I’m just hoping to get into some semblance of being in shape.
March 15th, 2006 at 4:52 pm
Love handles were only in the eye of the beholder, if you know what I mean.
I admire your perseverance, as always, but busing back and forth between Taibei and Guishan is a pain in the butt and going to be sickening(unless you can drink beer on the bus). I heard Guishan has small mountains allowing you to do some trail running. Ask if your co-workers know any. If you really don’t have a choice, maybe you should buy a treadmill and some weights and exercise at home? That way you can still go back to Taipei and have more time hanging out with friends. Just a thought.
March 15th, 2006 at 9:00 pm
poor mark…
I second Kimberly. You didn’t look exactly fat on the photos you’ve posted a while back from home…I’d say that you’re more likely to be ruining your health with your crazy schedule than a few extra pounds.
If you really gotta work out, maybe you should invest in a treadmill or something. Geez!
March 18th, 2006 at 7:11 pm
buy a mountain bike and find some crazy mountains to ride up and down
March 18th, 2006 at 7:21 pm
Funny you mention that, Jim. I’ve been looking for a bike shop the last few weeks. Every time I see somebody on a bike, I ask where they bought it. So far, nobody knows of a bike shop in Linkou/Guishan, but if there is one, I’ll find it!
March 19th, 2006 at 1:31 am
I second battlepanda. Working out at home may not be a bad idea. It’s a great start for a day(as long as those machines don’t make loud noise).
And if you’re looking for a good mountain bike, let me ask my friend who loves biking. He rides BMX. I’ll let you know once I find out.
Crazy schedule you’ve got, but mine is madder! I do part time at 4 different schools(I use school A,B,C and D).
Mon 9.30-11.30, 2.30-3.30@A/ 5.40-9.10@B
Tue 9.30-11.30@A/ 2.30-4.30@C/ 6.30-9.20 Japanese class
Wed 9.30-11.30, 3.30-4.30@A/ 6.30-8.10@B
Thr 9.30-11.30@C/ 2.30-3.30@A/ 6.30-9.20 Japanese class
Fri 9.30-11.30@A/ 2.30-4.30@C/ 5.00-6.00@A
Sat 1.30-4.30@D
Says who English teachers live easy!? They may not seem long, but the commuting time plus after work altogether I get home pretty late with exhausion. And, yes, I try to keep a workout regime. We’ll see if I will ever get inspired. Some crunches and push-ups are the only things that I can do. (sorry I didn’t mean to bore everybody)