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One Small Change
Fitness Gear You Don't Need
How does one person end up with 19 bicycle seats?
Before I divulge the bizarre, potentially lethal and even embarrassing fitness-related items I’ve gotten rid of so far, let’s review the rules of this month’s experiment (in case you’d like to play along at home).
As I explained in last week’s blog, my inspiration comes from a new book called Throw Out Fifty Things: Clear the Clutter, Find Your Life. Only I’m adapting the author’s general theory to fitness, vowing to throw out one exercise “thing” every day in May with the hope that I’ll somehow become more focused and efficient or, at the very least, make room for new gear.
In keeping with the guidelines in the book, I’m not agonizing over chucking stuff. If my initial reaction is “These running shoes smell like blue cheese” then I will not put them aside with the hope that they’ll mellow into something less pungent. Out they go. I will also try to donate, recycle or sell as much of my stuff as possible so as not to further junk up the world. And finally—on a technical note—I’ll only count a group of similar things as one thing. So I can’t throw out 31 sliced golf balls and say I’m done. No, that’s just one.
Got it? Okay, here’s what turned up on the initial sweep:
27 assorted golf clubs, including two wood drivers, a trio of putters and (inexplicably) four 6-irons. To show you how old these clubs are, did you ever hear of Bob Burns, Andy Bean or Bobby Nichols? Neither did I, but those are the names on the clubs. Technology has advanced so much in recent years that I’ll never use these. But I will stash a couple in my bag for those special occasions when I need to throw, bend or slam something.
31 packets of Power Gel in assorted flavors, many of them stuck together. The note on the side of the box says: Best By 13May07. Since this stuff is barely edible when fresh, I’m not going to risk eating it two years past expiration—although I am tempted to tell my frugal, nearsighted mother-in-law that I got her some free salad dressing.
1 six-inch ceramic statue, commemorating my 1972 pitching performance for a Little League baseball team sponsored by Chrin Brothers Waste Removal. I don’t remember who made it for me (Mom?), or how I even did that season, but it’s one more knick-knack I don’t need.
19 bicycle saddles. No, that is not a typo. Somehow in my many years of cycling I managed to accumulate an astounding array of these things—none of which, incidentally, is comfortable.
1 Notre Dame High School gym bag, circa 1975 – when I was a sophomore at that venerable institution. Lots of sentimental value here, but the zipper is hopelessly broken, it has a cardboard bottom, and if I get too close it smells like old nun.
11 bicycle water bottles, one wishing me Season’s Greetings from Specialized, another from the Los Angeles Triathlon (never did it), a third from Fat Tire Bike Week 1992 and—the winner—a gift from Bicycling Magazine for my 1990 subscription. All have green spores growing inside. In fact, I may have found the breeding ground for the next pandemic.
1 bright-blue, extra-small athletic supporter (with cup). Hey, I swear this is not mine. I never saw it before in my life. Look, it’s practically new! Must be my son’s from when he was a boy. Really.
Whew, I feel better already.
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About The Author
Joe Kita – Joe Kita is a noted writer, editor, motivational speaker and teacher. He authors the blog "One Small Change" for CorePerformance.com.
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