Or Do You Say DreadMill?
Well, it’s that time of year again. The time of year all of us who LOVE running outside DREAD. Time to take our running inside and deal with the treadmill. Now, I know what you’re thinking…if you LOVE running outside so much why are you even contemplating running on a treadmill? Well, when the downloaded app on your phone rates the conditions outside for running the next week at a 1 out of 10, it’s time to make a decision: run indoors or die!
The reason I like running in the first place is the “Zen” of it. I love the fact that I am alone with my thoughts and am able to solve all of the worlds problems in a single long run. However, now I am confronted with the fact that I have to make nice with other people. I have to also think about things like speed, incline and pace. All while I am getting caught up with the latest episodes of Remake My House on HGTV. Yes, running indoors has its advantages: warmth, less chance of an injury, ability to just stop any time you want, also – bathrooms, showers and a Jacuzzi are just steps away. I understand this is not an ideal situation. It does make me more appreciative of my summer runs, though. I once met a fellow who was from a warm climate. He told me about ALWAYS being able to wash his car, play in his pool, and, yes, run outside. HIS “problem” was since it was always running weather, he had a hard time actually doing his runs! He would think to himself “there’s always tomorrow” and blow off what he had planned to do today. We can’t do that here. Even in good weather, if I have a chance to run I have to take it. I never know what tomorrow will bring (having kids does the same thing). This poor guy will never have that feeling we all get (whether your a runner or not) when we walk out of the house and it is 70 degrees and sunny for the first time in 6 months! All he knows is it’s another day.
So, YES, I will do my run inside. I will grin and bear it! I will talk with the person next to me in the jacuzzi and I will love it! Love it because I know there is something waiting for me. I can imagine it. I can see it and “it” is waiting for me out there covered in a thick white blanket.
Next week: Counterpoint. I love to run outside in winter!?!
I hit the trail for 8 miles today. 40 and rain. After mile 3 I was digging it. The mud, rain in my face, people in cars looking at me funny….it was a great run! But, I have to hit the treadmill during the week for my regular runs since I have to have sexy hair when I go back to the office. I prefer outdoors but ya gotta do what ya gotta do.