On Tuesday morning, I had this weird idea that I needed to not only lift back, but run an easy 3 miles. I know where this idea came from. PA was supposed to get a huge snow storm on Wednesday and I would be unable to run outside or drive to the gym. "OMG I HAVE TO RUN TODAY BECAUSE I CAN'T TOMORROW!" panic settled in quickly. (It still remains to be seen whether this storm actually comes...)
Rather than run outside in the cold, change, and drive to the gym and lift, I decided to just suck it up and do 3 miles on the treadmill at Planet Fitness before lifting. I could get through 25 minutes or so on the treadmill right? It wouldn't be that bad!
It wasn't that bad. Aside from it being boring (even though I had a podcast) and hot, the run wasn't torture. But what I really didn't like what that I couldn't just listen to my body and RUN. I had to decide what pace I would run. And if I wanted to change my pace, I had to decide to do it. I couldn't just run in a way that felt natural.
Normally, I speed up on my runs without even trying to, so I bumped up the speed a notch or two every half mile. It still wasn't the same, though.
I don't mean this to be an "ANTI TREADMILL" post. Obviously, there are many instances in which I am so thankful to have to opportunity to run on a treadmill at Planet Fitness. Ice, pouring rain, snow, lightening, and dangerous wind gusts are some of the weather conditions that send me to the treadmill.
But given the choice, I prefer to set my on pace and "run my own run". I don't like having a machine control my pace.
Treadmills... thoughts?
The treadmill was my life for about 6 years. I had a really nice Landice one in my home gym. Finally in 2013, my PT and I decided that for ME, it was causing more harm than good. That steady pace and not just naturally speeding up and slowing down, plus that "pulling action" of the belt caused me to compensate and then get injuries.
ReplyDeleteSometimes I miss the idea of having it (if we get snow I either don't run or have to drive to the rec center for the indoor track) but running outside is so much better for me.
I would worry about that too- I mean, there are injuries that can easily be sustained outside, but I always worry about machines and the constant, repetitive, EXACT motion. I haven't been on my spin bike in quite a long time because of that. It just aggravates my right leg.
DeleteThat's the exact reason why I don't like running on the treadmill too! I actually don't get that bored on the treadmill because I just watch TV, but I don't like that you can't just run at a pace that feels natural. What I do like is that the gym is air conditioned, a real bathroom is just steps away and you don't have to hold your water bottle on your body!
ReplyDeleteThose are all HUGE perks to the treadmill, I agree!
DeleteI'd rather run outside too. I was seem to go further and faster but when there is inclimate weather a treadmill run is better than no run. -L
ReplyDeleteAgreed! I try to schedule my workouts around the snow but sometimes you just can't.
DeleteI hate that I can't do True intervals on my treadmill but I have a Nordic track with the i-fitness and some of the programs have varying paces that you can set and I like that. It gives it a little more variety. But still, there's nothing that beats a run outside!
ReplyDeleteThat is cool that you can do the varying paces! At least you can zone out a little more then.
DeleteOne reason I quit the gym was the temptation of the treadmill. I don't love it, but it's a nice alternative in super hot weather or big storms. But it ended up just being a way for me to cop-out of the hard parts of training!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I am glad you said it! I think I was a little afraid of saying it as to not offend people, but yeah, treadmill is a cop out if your race is OUTSIDE haha.
DeleteI love running on the treadmill - I play with my speed pretty much the entire time I run.
ReplyDeleteI would like to borrow some of your love of the treadmill for this winter. :) A couple snowstorms from now I may be singing the PRAISES of the treadmill for saving me hehe.
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