(Tips on: how to make it fun are at the end of this article)
The big ole snow storm came and wasn't big at all-at least not in the city (Chicago). I think the 'burbs got hit harder. I had a feeling. I really wanted to knock out my 10 miler today to free up some time to work this weekend. And, even though we didn't get much snow and even though it was like 36 degrees (warm for Chicago in January), the roads and sidewalks were full of slush. Not even ice; just piles and piles of slush. And, where there wasn't slush, there were deceptively huge, deep, freezing cold icy puddles everywhere.
After my feet got completely soaked just walking about 3 block to physical therapy, I decided to run on the treadmill, rather than navigate the slush and puddles...and freezing rain. I packed up a backpack to walk to the gym with the following: two pairs of shoes, two pairs of socks and iPad, headphones, #BodyGlide, #Nalgene, #Gu and #Cliff Blocks. You might think I overpacked-but I actually nailed it.
I walked to the gym which is a mile and my shoes and socks were completely soaked by the time I got there. No problem because I packed a brand new pair of shoes to run in. My much anticipated Brooks Max. (Quick note because I don't do full shoe reviews: they were really comfy-reminded me of some New Balances I tired this summer. And, we'll see if there were any ill-effects tomorrow when I wake up!)
Took my winter coat, hat, gloves, sweatpants off, changed my shoes and socks, filled up my water bottle, turn on Gilmore Girls on my ipad, headphones on and began. I started off nice and easy and the time actually went by pretty fast. Sure, there were chunks of time here and there that felt painfully slow, but overall, it went by pretty fast!
At times, I got sick of watching my iPad and listened to music in my headphones with Gilmore Girls and the treadmill tv both playing in the background. I ran 5 miles, re-filled my water bottle, then ran 2.5 and 2.5.
The breaks in between were only about 30 seconds-but it was helpful to chop it up like that. I had almost a whole pack of Cliff blocks, taking one block at a time, starting around mile 5 and every 15 minutes or so after. Due to the time of day I ran/how little I'd eaten earlier, I really needed some nutrition to get me through so this was a really good call.
The only miles that felt eternal were 7.5-9 and I think that's just because I was so close to being done....but not quite there yet. And, I gave myself the green light to speed up a bit mile 9-10.
After my run, I gave myself a round of applause (not joking and a I have it on my IG stories)--not because I ran 10 miles on a treadmill and not because I ran it on a Friday but because both of those things are out of my ordinary routine and practice. But, I told myself I was going to do it and I did. Making and keeping promises to myself just feels so good.
I hopped off the 'mill, went to the locker room, changed out of my sweaty socks and shoes (too cold to walk home in anything wet), put on my sweats (which were both really damp from the walk over), winter coat (still wet), hat and gloves and walked my soaking wet self back home.
A few tips on making treadmill runs more fun:
bring your own tv/movies so you aren't at the mercy of the crummy gym tv's
have music/podcasts/audio books ready to go if you get tired of watching tv/movies
keep tv/movies on in the background even if you're listening to something different on your headphones--distract yourself, eyes and ears
cover the time/distance/pace with a towel on the treadmill--no need to be watching that clock
bring water/nutrition, just like you would on a long run outside
go in with a good mindset-don't tell yourself 'this is going to suck or being boring'--going in there thinking: this is going to be fun! I'm going to make it fun--actually works
Shelley Aniciete
All Inclusive Run Coaching, Founder
Comments