Thursday, December 12, 2013

Embracing the treadmill

Many people question my resolve as a runner because I frequently run on the treadmill. One of my family members often tells me that I am not a" real runner" because I run on a treadmill. I know that there are many who think less of those who run on the treadmill. I am not one of those people. I run outside during comfy temps and weather. It's not ideal for me to run in extreme heat or extreme cold and snow. I will run in freezing temps while it is in the process of snowing or if there is no snow build-up and I will run in the rain. I don't run outside if there is any chance at all that I could pass out from heat exhaustion or slip on ice and break a hip. I  can't imagine that a broken hip would be fun for me.
      I also run on the treadmill because I am a lazy runner. When I run outside, I find a comfortable pace and keep it. It is hard for me to push myself to run faster while outside (unless I'm running with the Joes). On the treadmill, I set a speed and run it. No matter what. I cover the console on the treadmill and let my NikePlus alert me to mile markers. Watching the numbers slowly change drives me crazy. I also feel more compelled to not change the speed unless I am increasing the speed. I am usually on a treadmill next to someone. As soon as I get on the treadmill, whoever is next to me is my competition. I need to workout longer and harder than them and I can't slow down. (This backfired once when, after an hour and 15 minutes, the young lady next to me admitted she does the same thing and was waiting for me to quit. We quit together...).
     Another plus to treadmill running is that I can do it whenever I want. I am sometimes busy with the Joes and cannot make it to the gym until late. Instead of running in the dark, I run in a safe, well lit environment. 
     I'll be the first to admit that treadmill running is extremely boring. I have developed games that I play with myself to keep on track. Sometimes I determine that I will run for a certain number of songs. Ten songs is usually 3 miles for me (a slower gal). Sometimes I increase the speed after a certain number of songs. For example, I start on 5.5 and after every 2 songs increase the speed .2. This game always has me finishing faster than I started and helps me practice conserving energy until the end of my run.
     While I am a big fan of the treadmill, I will never buy one for my home. I fear it will end up in the basement, looking pretty, not being used, like our beloved elliptical. I will stick to hitting the gym during inclement weather for my treadmill runs and loving it!!

5 comments:

  1. i'm not a real fanof the treadmill, butt, I have to admit I do run the treadmill at times. There are pro's and con's about running the treadmill. I would like to write down what they. ( just my thinking ) PROS-- In the winter and its sooo cold and so icy ( black ice ) the treadmill can be a safer. Also, the treadmill can help improve your form. You can also do some speed work in the winter on a treadmill. Winter months speed work is or can be rough.
    CONS--Its so boring, seems like time never goes.

    I do run the treadmill at times in the winter. I run as much as I can outside. ( weather permitting ) I know and have friends that run inside all winter. And they are good runners and are in great shape. Treadmill running is GREAT is you like it GREAT. I'm from Michigan and like Ohio winters can be rough.................

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    1. You are right!! Boring is a most accurate adjective!!!! I am not a snow bunny though so I have to suck it up. We are hit with some rough weather up here that could easily curtail many people's workout plans.

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  2. I'm like you, I run outside when the conditions are right. ( nice days and cool nights ) Winter running scares me. The fear of falling and breaking a bone. Plus in the midwest it gets dark at 5 p.m. Oh my god, black ice... No matter how hard I try I still slip and fall on that terrible black ice. I think runners that run on the treadmills are not wimps, butt, are sometimes smarter. We are runners .................

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    1. Definitely not wimps at all!!!! I agree with you, we ARE runners!!!

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  3. I found that many runners will run on the treadmill when the conditions are unbearable to run outside. I wish I could run on the treadmill. Yes its boring to me and I have a hard time running on the treadmill. If you choice to run outside or inside your a runner. So keep running.............

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