Alternate route

Today I'm in Tampa to present at a quarterly sales meeting, but since the meeting isn't until tomorrow morning, my biggest accomplishments have included eating a blueberry muffin and successfully boarding my flight. Several of us are meeting for dinner tonight, and since I had several hours to kill between checking in and heading out, I marched off to the fitness room to give treadmill running a try.

In the beginning, I put off investigating indoor training opportunities for as long as I could, determined to start my running career by taking advantage of our beautiful trail system instead of waiting in line for a machine, but now the temperature is dropping and it's getting dark earlier AND we had our first snowfall on Monday, and while I've built my average base to a respectable three miles, I'm only getting out a couple of times a week; come January I'll be doing a combination of running and cross-training twice that often, and Lord knows I have enough excuses for putting off exercise without adding inclement weather to the mix. Time to find plan B.

So yesterday I signed up for a free gym membership through work, even though I dreaded the idea of running inside among strangers. On the trail, I pass runners all the time, but they're all too busy focusing on the path ahead to mentally critique my form. The stationary aspect of treadmill running shines a bright light on everyone's (read: MY) flaws, increasing the chances for raised eyebrows and snickering behind my back. Plus, how can I keep my motivation up if I have to run mile after mile without actually getting anywhere? But since I live in the Midwest,I have to make this work for at least seventy percent of my training in the winter months, whether I like it or not. At least, that's what I told myself before lacing up my shoes this afternoon.

Luckily, I LOVED it.

First of all, it helped that for my virgin indoor run, I was the only person in the room, so I could fiddle around with the program settings all I wanted without fear of embarrassment; good thing, too, because fifteen minutes in I realized I'd been walking the whole time, waiting for the machine to kick it up a notch based on the program I'd chosen.  Then I accidentally hit the emergency stop button and had to start all over again. In the end, though, I think I covered more ground in less time than usual because I could clearly see the instances where my pace was too slow when measured against 5K standards (ten-minute miles are the ideal minimum) and increase my speed accordingly. After today, I'm now thinking I've been slacking off a bit in my trail runs, swappng speed for distance, to the point that I'm worried about even being able to match the time of my very first race back in September. We'll find out soon enough on Saturday, when Luke, Katy, and I will take part in the Jingle Bell 5K Run/Walk for Arthritis in downtown Indianapolis.

Have I mentioned before how much I enjoy running? Because I so do. And today, as my feet pounded on the rotating rubber carpet of the treadmill, I imagined getting up at five in the morning to make the 15-minute drive to the gym, mixing up trail runs with stationary ones, taking classes for strength-training and endurance, and overall just DOING what I need to be doing to complete this half-marathon in one piece. Then suddenly, just like that, I could visualize it, could see myself crossing the finish line in May. It's no longer the impossible dream I thought it would be. I can do this.

I can do this.

Comments

[Erica]

You can do it! I actually like running on a treadmill better than outside. I don't know if it's because I started out on a treadmill or what, but I don't do as well running outside....maybe I need to get out more? Good luck with your training!

[Liz]

If it's any consolation, I don't pay much attention to other treadmill runners at the gym. I'm too focused on my own activity, the music on my iPhone, the fact that my gym WOULDN'T PLAY THE BIGGEST LOSER FINALE!! Or I'm looking at the REALLY buff guys and girls, wondering if they take steroids.

[eva]

That's awesome! I agree with Liz that most people are probably too focused on themselves or the nearest super-buff-hottie that they're probably not paying attention to you at the gym.

Also, your employer rocks. If I ever move to Indianapolis you have to hook me up with a nice HR job there, ok? thanks:)

[daddyd]

Good job on trying new ways to do the work. Practice of different types and places will help achieve your goals. Good luck in Saturday's outing.

[AJU5's Mom]

I am not a runner, but for a true workout I found that exercise bikes were better than real bikes. Now, riding a real bike is more fun, but like you I found it was hard to motivate myself, etc on the open road. Good luck with your training!

[Joanne]

I have been doing the C25K the last five weeks, mostly at the gym because it's been pretty crappy and I only workout at night, so it's dark too. I have to say, I don't think anyone cares what anyone else is doing on the treadmills around them. Worry not!