Babs in Blogland

I am a firm believer that in order to overcome embarrassing situations, you must laugh at yourself. Which is why today I am going to share with you the number one most embarrassing moment in Babs’ life.

As many of you know, I like to get up and go to the gym on most mornings to get my workout on. But what you don’t know and what may surprise you is that the personality of Gym Babs is quite different from the personality of Babs in Blogland. Gym Babs is reserved and shy. Gym Babs is not very sociable.

When I get to the gym I am all about business. I keep my head down, make no eye contact, and stay focused on the task of my workout. The most interaction I have is checking out the eye candy when I’m doing cardio. Which is why I am sure you can understand how mortified I was at the unwanted attention I received one morning last spring.

On this particular morning, I really wanted to sleep in. I begrudgingly got out of the bed, dressed for the gym and headed out the door. Once I got to the gym I was okay. I did strength training. And then I went over to the floor mat area and did some ab work and stretching to get ready for the treadmill.

I made my way to the treadmill and started running. I’m running and kinda not into, but I keep at it. And after the first mile I’m starting to feel good and one of my favorite songs comes on my Ipod.

Next thing I know, I feel a tap on my shoulder. I look over and the girl is talking to me. I look at her like “what? And why are you interrupting my pace”. She gives me this gesture like “take off your headphones you are going to want to hear what I have to say”. So I hit pause on my music and she looks me dead in the eyes.

Concerned Citizen: You have a hole in your pants

I immediately stopped running.

Babs: Really???
Concerned Citizen: Yes
Babs: Is it big?
Concerned Citizen: Yes
Babs: What should I do?

I am not sure why I asked this complete stranger for her opinion. I guess I lost the ability to make decisions or something. She suggested I tuck my towel in the back of my pants to cover the hole, so I can make my exit. But NO, I have it in my head that I have to play it off like it is no big deal. So I decide to go get on the elliptical machines which are behind me. There is nothing behind those machines, so no one will be able to see the hole. Never mind the people that were already on those machines and have already seen all my business.

I get on the machine. And the whole time I’m looking around and wondering who has seen the hole. And I wanted so badly to reach back and feel the hole, but I really had no idea where it was or how big it was.

After about 10 minutes, I decide I’ve played it off enough and get off the machine and walk out without looking back. I get to my car and get inside, and as soon as I sit down I feel nothing but leather on my back side. I was mortified! At this point, I was done playing it cool and I peeled out of the parking lot.

Once I got home I ran upstairs to the bedroom and got in the full-length mirror. I tried to simulate the entire treadmill situation. I stood in the mirror running and looking backwards. It wasn’t pretty.

The hole in my pants was about the diameter of a bowl. That’s huge! I can’t believe people were just letting me walk around the gym like that. But I am so thankful for the girl who took the time to alert me to the situation. Although, I honestly wouldn’t know her if she walked past me.

The next morning I had to force myself to go back to the gym. I did not want to show my face ever again. But I knew I couldn’t hide forever, so I had to pretend like it never happened. When I got to the gym, I did my usual routine. And I pretended not to notice people glancing my way.

Now I’m sure it took a few days for people forget about the crazy girl who was running half naked on the treadmill. But thankfully, I’ve blended back into the crowd and no one even remembers what the crazy girl looked like.

Moral of the story: ALWAYS check your pants before you leave the house!