What I've been dealing with. Here on the East coast, we’ve been a bit snowed in lately. Aside from that, the weather is cold and the streets are busy. If you live in an area with a plethora of trails and sidewalks that lend you to new and exciting places on a regular basis (and nice weather), then please don’t take that for granted. Lacing up your shoes and walking out your front door to endless possibilities is a true blessing. (Thanks for spoiling me, Monterey, California.)
In my current location, the sidewalks disappeared with our recent blizzard (plus I’m a weenie in the cold, so I’m not terribly disappointed in the situation). Fortunately, the gym has amazing treadmills. I call it the “roadmill.” The running deck is made from track-like rubber…it actually looks like a flattened tire. The whole thing is huge, giving you wide berth and no elbows bumping on the sides. It inclines AND declines! I would be in love with the treadmill if it wasn't so boring.
In my current location, the sidewalks disappeared with our recent blizzard (plus I’m a weenie in the cold, so I’m not terribly disappointed in the situation). Fortunately, the gym has amazing treadmills. I call it the “roadmill.” The running deck is made from track-like rubber…it actually looks like a flattened tire. The whole thing is huge, giving you wide berth and no elbows bumping on the sides. It inclines AND declines! I would be in love with the treadmill if it wasn't so boring.
What I wish I was dealing with. About a mile into the workout, I tend to start frantically searching the room for something to keep my attention off all the numbers on the screen. I blast music, attempt to watch TV, people watch, but I always return to the numbers on the screen. I watch them, waiting for the distance to increase, counting seconds for each tenth of a mile to change. I decided it would be best to use this in my favor.
Here are a few games I play with the numbers.
-Every minute (or every tenth of a mile) that goes by, I bump up a notch on the speed. I work my way up for at least a mile, then work my way back down again….BAM! Two miles done with some speed work. Repeat.
-Intervals: warm up for a mile. Bump up the speed five or six notches for two minutes then back down for three minutes. Repeat at least four times.
-Tempo: warm up with my happy pace. Bump up the speed about 5 notches, and hold this for 10 minutes. Finish out the run at the happy pace.
-Long runs. There’s no game for this one. Find a really good movie to watch. Make sure to hydrate well, consume nutrition as you would on the road. Also, make sure not to increase your pace beyond what your long-run should be. It’s easy to want to go faster to try to get miles over with on the treadmill, but that will drain you before you can effectively log the miles. Listen to your body and match your pace to where you feel you can hold it comfortably for the duration without losing form.
The magic machine, or roadmill.
All in all, the treadmill should not be your sole terrain for logging miles. Your body likes variety in surfaces. However, it is an amazing tool for those days that the weather isn’t cooperating, you’re in hibernation, the children are at peace indoors, or it otherwise just works out better for your schedule.
Let us know what tricks you use to occupy yourself while logging miles on the road machine. We'd love some new ideas!
Warm Running Wishes,
Angel
Let us know what tricks you use to occupy yourself while logging miles on the road machine. We'd love some new ideas!
Warm Running Wishes,
Angel
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