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| My collection of 2012 racing bibs… so far. |
”The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.” -John Bingham
I have always loved the treadmill. I felt like I had a lot more control over my workout. And seriously? Running on roads is for “real” runners. I am so NOT a “real” runner– I’m just a wannabe. Even as I’ve completed 5 different 5K races so far this year, I still didn’t feel like I could actually call myself a runner. I see those “real” runners, galloping effortlessly down Old Spartanburg Road as I drive around in the morning and in the evening. No, I’m definitely not one of them.
Lately I’ve been doing my weight workout at the Y, and then heading outside to walk and jog on the outside track. It’s a lot more challenging to get out there, in the heat and the sun, with the wind or humidity, and the hills. My calves have been really hurting lately, so I decided I would stop running for a while. But I can’t stop. I just can’t! I decided to try just jogging a couple of laps through my subdivision. With the little MapMyRun app, I learned that it took three laps through my subdivision to make an even 2 miles. And I ran 2 miles! At a 10:25 pace! I was so excited, and felt like I had made a huge stride toward becoming a “real” runner. And then I kept running– and without even trying, I kept getting faster. Last night I ran two miles again… at a 9:35 pace. WHAT? The last time I ran one mile in 9:30 was in 6th grade (translation: a WHOLE lotta years ago)! And suddenly, I am no longer a fan of the treadmill.
How many years have I wasted, doing the same thing, and getting the same results? After years of running on a treadmill, I finally, barely, met my goal. After one week of running on the road, I shaved nearly a minute off my per-mile pace. I had to force myself out of my comfort zone. Had to get myself out of my routine, my go-to exercise that wasn’t doing much to actually improve my fitness. Don’t get me wrong– moving is good! Even moving on a treadmill! But it took getting out of the treadmill rut for me to make some improvement. As a result, I’m addicted to running like I’ve never been before.
Next weekend, you might actually see ME running down Old Spartanburg road. Because, you see, I’m becoming one of those “real” runners.
What fitness rut do you need to break out of in order to meet your fitness goals?
That's a really good point, Jean. Running on the road, or on a trail, probably gives you a better overall workout. And for me, I sweat more when I running outside (probably from the humidity), which makes me feel like Super Workout Woman!
That is awesome! I think the treadmill restricts you, when the open road is freedom to exercise not only your cardio but your reflexes as you react to the bumps and curves and hills of the open road.