Any runner's out there?
Today is one of those days where looking out the window can be pretty depressing. It’s dark, gloomy and was cool enough for a light knit hoodie when I started up the old Aveo at 7 a.m. Needless to say, hot coffee wasn’t just to wake me up, but more a requirement.
But for me, when I look outside and see the threat or rain I think one of two things: it’s going to be nice and cool for a run, or, boo…I’ll have to run on the treadmill.
Now I’m not claiming to be a marathoner. I don’t run 60 mile weeks, and I’m barely capping off between 15 and 20, but running about three milers four of five days a week is pretty high on the list of priorities for me. In all honesty, it might actually be at the top of the list (along with writing all my stories for the week, lifting weights twice and going out for ice cream once).
For me, running is still a somewhat new experience. It all started last summer when I started going to the gym after work. I would hop on the elliptical for 30 minutes, and occasionally lift a few weights (or drop a 25 pound plate on my foot and limp back to the office – true story).
I kept with this routine, secretly envying those on the treadmill able to pump their arms to the beat of their music, not having to cover the time ticker with a Self magazine praying time would just speed up.
Not able to take the monotony of the same four times weekly routine, I braved up, stood on the treadmill and slowly started to crank the pace. I think I made it about 12 minutes at five miles per hour before thinking I was going to die.
But determined I stayed. Every few days I would decide to give up the elliptical and magazine and do a few more minutes on the treadmill, every time being able to go longer and longer.
As this plan continued on I quickly noticed one thing. Sure, I could smoke a pack of Marlboro Lights on the weekend and do the elliptical come Monday, but the same wasn’t true of running. It just took more cardiovascular strength. I just knew I had to make a decision.
Needless to say, I gave up the cigs., and can now run on a treadmill probably forever (or maybe like 50 minutes). But, just like with the elliptical, I eventually became bored with starring out a window, and have now switched to running outside.
For me, it’s relaxing. I normally go with music, but sometimes I just listen to the sound of the lake or neighborhood (depending on where I run). It gives me the chance to collect my thoughts, blow off some steam and keep the fitness level going up.
I’m wondering if there’s any other runner’s out there? Why’d you start? Where’s your favorite place to run? Morning or night?
For me, the perfect is either early morning around one of the Minneapolis lakes, but I also like mid-afternoon just running around Elk River neighborhoods.
