Have I mentioned on this blog that I absolutely HATE running on the treadmill?
I woke up this morning and I knew what I had to do. I knew that I needed to get to the gym to run. The only way I would forego the gym? If the weather was bad. I looked at my weather app on my phone. I don't know if I should call what I felt upon seeing the report disappointment or excitement. Yeah, the weather was clear enough for me to travel to the gym. Off I went.
Have I mentioned that I absolutely HATE running on the treadmill?
The sidewalks and roads were a bit slick with a fine sheen of ice. I didn't have any issue driving, but it was treacherous to get to and from my car! And while I may or may not HATE running on the treadmill, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that running on the treadmill was definitely the best choice for the morning.
You see, I have plans. I have a 10K that I am registered to run. It is the Cooper River Bridge Run......I did this one last year and ended up walking it. I vowed to return and run it. So I am a girl on a mission! So in foul weather treadmills are kinda necessary. I have reconciled myself to doing it....and have even tried to turn it into a way to better myself!
I made it though and I pushed out two miles. Nothing extraordinary. I SHOULD have gone longer. I was aiming for anywhere between 2 and 3 miles, so I am OK with hitting the two mile mark. I did it in my overall average pace. HOWEVER, I am happy to say that I did it while doing intervals. I would walk a song...and then run a song. So how did I manage to do this run in the same (a few seconds better a mile) pace as my typical run/jog pace? I cranked up the speed on my run segments. Not so much that I thought I was going to die....but enough that I felt it. I also walked at just a hair below a run...so a fast walk. So a shorter run, but one in which I pushed in order to better myself.
As I drove home I went down some of the roads that I typically run when I'm outside. Ahhhh I want to run outside! (Because Yeah, in case you didn't catch on....I hate running on the treadmill) I am sooo looking forward to a pleasant outdoor run! I was scooping out the sidewalks and alleys and I could see the slick ice and chunks of icy snow dotting the paths that I like to run. Ahhhh sooon.....so soon! (and then I will lament that my membership at the gym is costing me money and I'm not using it....as I run by the gym on my glorious outdoor runs!)
That said....I KNOW that I need to start using the gym for more than a place to go and run a few miles on the treadmill. I KNOW that I should be utilizing the classes......and the other equipment..... I should be doing some toning too! Yeah, I'll get right on that!
So today was my weigh/reporting day for my Pity The Fool challenge. I didn't start out as strongly as I was planning and hoping. I didn't gain...so that is a victory. I DID actually lose.......2/10ths of a pound. Yes, I dropped to 231.6 pounds. Not looking at it as a failure......just a slow start!
My plans for the week ahead of me? I plan on running tomorrow....yeah, probably the treadmill again. (Have I mentioned that I hate the treadmill?) This weekend the weather is supposed to be FANTASTIC and Jason has already talked about getting outside and doing something! YAY. So that will be activity. I will get to wear my new water resistant/quick drying pants. (May even get some benefits from the sunshade properties to protect my skin from the suns damaging but oh so good feeling rays!) That will be a bonus because some of these other hikes have been 'WET' as my pants soak up the water and NEVER dry during the hike.