Learning to Run: Adventures on the Treadmill

Yes, dear readers, I've changed the "Learning to Run" title format yet again. So many weeks! So hard to remember which one we're on! I believe it's week 11 at this point, but now that the 8 week program is complete, what week we're on seems less important.

As mentioned in the last running entry though, running post-8 week plan has been a little challenging. Without that strict schedule, it's been easier to say, "Oh, I'll just run tomorrow."

But I'm turning over a new leaf, and reigning in my role as a "we're run later" bad influence. Last week I only ran twice, but this week I plan on doing twice that (Dear Scott, please hold me to that, and get me to push it on those hills!). Also helping my motivation are people who were originally motivated by me (like Alex's friend Erik! Hi Erik!). Hearing that they're excited about running reignites my excitement, creating an endless loop of running enthusiasm (everybody wins!). Oh, I totally planned it this way (cough, cough, tooootally). I even wrote out a step-by-step plan...

Step 1: Blog about running.
Step 2: Motivate others with said running.
Step 3: Be motivated by those who've been motivated.
Step 4: Take over the world.

So what's new in my running world (besides taking Scott down with me in my laziness)? The treadmill. I've tried it twice now, and I've concluded that it is weird.

I understand the benefits: no getting rained on, no dodging traffic, all your exercise needs in one place. But it's weird. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. I definitely know that regular punching of the console probably isn't recommended, but that seems to be an issue for me. And then today my flailing hands did one better and hit the emergency button. This resulted in the treadmill shutting off completely and coming to a moderately abrupt stop. I didn't know what had happened at first, and I looked around, expecting the power to be out or something (that did happen at my gym once before). But no, I looked around to see all the other runners near me were doing just fine, their emergency buttons entirely untouched. I nervously laughed to myself, started the treadmill up again, and tried to keep my fists of fury to myself.

It is good to know that I can manage on the treadmill for the most part (I'd been nervous about trying it for a while), but I much prefer hitting the trails with Scott. I'm a fan of the company, the scenery, and the feel of real ground beneath my feet. So while the treadmill is a good option, it's definitely in second place to running outside.

In other exercise news, I'm trying to set myself on a daily 8 minute arms and abs schedule. Ideally I'd like to do these 8 minute workouts every day, but I'm going to try and not be too hard on myself if I miss a day here or there. It's just like being fiscally responsible. You're gonna get off your budget plan once and a while (just like you'll get your workout plan once and a while), but just cause you have a misstep doesn't mean you have to scrap the whole plan. Ah, wise words. Okay, they're not totally mine, check out this really good article from Get Rich Slowly, where the author compares the mental toughness you need for running (or any exercise plan) to the mental toughness you need to get out of debt: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Debtor.

Alright then. Till next time, keep up the running plans, and lend me some of your motivation when you get the chance!