Despite being vocal about my distaste for treadmill running I am starting to appreciate these indoor hamster wheel machines. In fact, I actually enjoyed last week’s run on a treadmill. Shocker! When I looked at my interval workout for this week I knew another treadmill run would make sense. I had 3 x 8:00 zone builds where I needed to increase my speed every 2:00 in the zone build. Perfect for a treadmill to make sure I could hit that goal.
I loaded up the iPod with some good tunes, plugged the iPod into the treadmill and I was ready to go. Alright treadmill, let’s do this!!
Boy oh boy, was I overly optimistic on my speed builds. I started off way too fast and it was a struggle to hold on. I still had two more of these to do! On the second build even though I started at a slower pace my legs were toast from the first build. Workout fail. I was only able to build for 6 minutes before I had to slow the treadmill down because I was worried I might fly off the back.
On to the third build I started at a realistic pace, held on and completed the build properly for 8 minutes. Phew! I completed my cool down run which was a bit of a misnomer because I was sweating buckets the entire time. I even managed to sweat my eyebrows off! Eyebrow makeup is the only makeup I do wear since my brows are pale and barely noticeable under normal conditions. The only downside is the makeup doesn’t last through sweat storm treadmill sessions. Anyhow, I was all done.
One of my best discoveries on this treadmill run was about the shorts I was wearing. I picked them up for cheap at the Nike outlet in Orlando. I don’t tend to wear shorts while running because my inner thighs rub together and then the shorts ride up. Not only is that not flattering but then I have to run around and continually try to rearrange my shorts and that probably doesn’t look that good either. I actually really liked these shorts and didn’t tend to notice any of the usual issues. I’m pretty sure they are the Nike tempo shorts.
Sweaty, red faced and done.
Have you ever flown off the back of a treadmill? What are your favourite shorts to run in?
I’ve never flown off the back of the treadmill, though I have fallen off the side of the treadmill. Twice. Don’t ask me how, but it happened.
I actually prefer the treadmill for speedwork, mostly b/c it holds me at a consistent pace. I enjoy the consistency of it. I also hate running in the rain all the time…once in awhile okay…but I live in Portland so by about March I’m ready for spring and sunshine (which is what it’s like where I grew up in Cali) but alas winter lasts until July here.
One time I stepped on a treadmill that the previous person LEFT running!!!!!!!! I didn’t notice it was on so as soon as I stepped up, it threw me off!! So embarrassing!
One time I stepped on a treadmill that the previous person LEFT running!!!!!!!! I didn’t notice it was on so as soon as I stepped up, it threw me off!! So embarrassing!
Treadmills. Ick. I can see where they teach you to run a pace, and speaking as one who totally sucks at slow builds, I can see the training benefit. That said, I don’t run well enough to run on a treadmill. My pace varies. I wobble from side to side. There are several times during my two treadmill runs where I put my foot down, half on the belt and half on the frame. That wasn’t good.
I’ve got two supposedly identical pairs of shorts. One rides up a bit till they get sweaty. The others don’t. I don’t know which is which.
I like the treadmill at times. I can have some good speed workouts on it. I have flown off the back of a treadmill. Major burn! Talking and turning. I don’t do that anymore without one hand on the front. I love Nike Tempo shorts.
Nice job on your treadmill run! It takes a little while to get your pace figured out but once you do it’s nice because you know exactly what speed you’re most comfortable with and at what speed you need to run to really push yourself.