Training Check-in/Encouragement Thread

[BriarRose0708]

Meg sorry about your injury, I hope you recover soon and don't lose too much of your training!

I do use my iPhone or the TV while running. I make sure to have a kick rear end playlist of all upbeat music that will make me run. I call it my "angry music" because it's a lot of Muse, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Three Days Grace and the like. If I watch tv I make sure it's Food Network, lol. Watching Paula Dean fry things and cover them in chocolate seems to be a motivator!

Despite this, even if I'm into my music or what I'm watching I seem to reach a point where I just don't want to run anymore even though I know I can go further. Maybe I just need to start running outside (this weather needs to get better first though!) so I can vary my route and have lots of things to look at.

[Dopey's Girl]

Meg sorry about your injury, I hope you recover soon and don't lose too much of your training!

I do use my iPhone or the TV while running. I make sure to have a kick rear end playlist of all upbeat music that will make me run. I call it my "angry music" because it's a lot of Muse, Linkin Park, My Chemical Romance, Three Days Grace and the like. If I watch tv I make sure it's Food Network, lol. Watching Paula Dean fry things and cover them in chocolate seems to be a motivator!

Despite this, even if I'm into my music or what I'm watching I seem to reach a point where I just don't want to run anymore even though I know I can go further. Maybe I just need to start running outside (this weather needs to get better first though!) so I can vary my route and have lots of things to look at.

Thanks. It's set me back a bit, but not enough to cry about!

I'm with you on the outside running. I can't wait for that. There are some great trails near my house that I'm itching to get out on!

[BrerGnat]

Nikki, throw a towel over the treadmill display. Set a comfortable pace. Then, set a timer on your phone for an hour. Don't peek! Don't stop runnning until the timer goes off. Add 5 minutes every week. This should get you increasing distance.

[PirateLover]

There is never anything good on the TV at my apartment complex's small gym! I'm normally there during daytime hours when it's "slim pickins" to begin with, but they get really random channels! I think they might have an illegal hookup

I also try not to look at the treadmill info and focus on something else. I agree that running outside is more "fun." When the weather gets nicer I am planning to run around a park in Philly with my friend.

[BriarRose0708]

Nikki, throw a towel over the treadmill display. Set a comfortable pace. Then, set a timer on your phone for an hour. Don't peek! Don't stop runnning until the timer goes off. Add 5 minutes every week. This should get you increasing distance.

That is fabulous advice! I try not to focus on the display but get so distracted. I should also stop setting break times like "at 2 miles I can take a break" because after I take that break I don't want to run again. Will try that on my run tonight.

It's going to be 53 and sunny(!) here on Sunday so I am really looking forward to my first outdoor run!

[BrerGnat]

That is fabulous advice! I try not to focus on the display but get so distracted. I should also stop setting break times like "at 2 miles I can take a break" because after I take that break I don't want to run again. Will try that on my run tonight.

It's going to be 53 and sunny(!) here on Sunday so I am really looking forward to my first outdoor run!

Running outside is so much better than the treadmill, but it's HARDER, so don't be surprised if you struggle a bit the first few outdoor runs. You use different muscles when you actually have to propel yourself forward outdoors rather than maintaining your balance on a treadmill. What I do when I am trying to increase my distance outdoors is to set a timer for HALF the total time I want to run on my phone. I run until the timer goes off, and then I turn around and go back home. Every few days, I will add 5 more minutes to the timer.

[BrerGnat]

Oh, and rather than stop and walk, just slow down. You can go down to 4mph and still be "jogging". Just don't go into that walking cadence...keep it like a shuffle, then just speed up again when you feel ready. This will make it feel like you are taking breaks, but you will never stop "running."