Happily, not all treadmill runs are the same

On January 26, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.41 miles

Despite the inherent lack of variables of the process, not all treadmill runs are the same. Yesterday’s run was very different from today’s. For one thing, I wore my Brooks Adrenaline’s instead of the Karhu’s and realized how much the right shoes matter when running on the treadmill. Second, I had no issues with fatigue this morning and I jumped into a faster pace from the beginning. The biggest difference between today and yesterday is that today I felt like I was running. Not running in the treadmill sense, where your are physically and mentally constrained within an area no wider than a 22″ tread and no longer than the safety cord allows. I was able to focus on my form and actually pictured the streets in my neighborhood as I ran along. If nothing else, it helped pass the time. For me, anything that speeds me through a treadmill run is a good thing.

Back on the Karhu Fast 2’s

On January 25, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Karhu Fast 2 — I wish they ran as good as they look

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.3 miles

I didn’t want to deal with dark and icy roads this morning so last night I set up my gear for a treadmill workout. As much as I prefer running outdoors I do appreciate the time that I save in the morning by staying inside. I would usually choose my Saucony Kinvaras for the treadmill but the soles were caked with grime — a combination of road salt, sand and mud. I wore the Kinvaras on Saturday after the snow plows and the residue from the street made them unsuitable for the tread belt. I decided to give the Karhu Fast 2’s another chance. I was curious to see if I liked them any better after a few week’s layoff.

I was tired this morning and needed my alarm to wake me up. I knew from my energy level that today would be a maintenance run and nothing more. I started slower that usual, around 6 mph, and gradually built my speed to 7 (an 8:34 pace). The Karhu’s did fine but they just don’t feel ideal for my stride. It may just be the height of the mid sole. Its “fulcrum” feature also may not well with my mid foot landing style. That didn’t mean the shoes failed to perform, in fact they took everything I threw at them. It was really about the feel compared to my Kinvaras and GTS-10’s that move more naturally with my foot. I had a decent run this morning and I managed through the treadmill experience despite the combination of boredom and terror that comes with that. I may treat myself to the elliptical tomorrow depending on the weather.

5 degree weather is cramping my style

On January 24, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

It’s extraordinarily cold today. The display in my car showed 27 degrees in my garage and by the time I reached the train station, seven minutes later, it said 5. I usually rest on Mondays so I didn’t have to suffer through a treadmill session this morning. My threshold for morning runs is about 14 degrees. After that it’s the treadmill or elliptical machine.

It’s been a tough winter for running. We’ve already had more snow in December and January than what we usually average for the entire season. I like snow but it reduces my choices for running venues. I won’t be running any wooded trails for a while and I’m sure that the Bethpage bike trail is snowy and icy right now. My choices are either indoor running or around my local neighborhood. Make that a subset of local streets because the snow and ice has limited access to some key cross points. More snow is coming this week which will exacerbate the problem but at least the temperatures should rise. It looks like I may be doing much of my race training indoors unless we see a big thaw soon.

A compelling reason to run on the treadmill

On January 14, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Frigid temperatures on Long Island this morning

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.5 miles

The news stations were reporting 18 degrees in NYC with colder temperatures in the suburbs this morning. The widget on my iPhone shows 14 degrees where I live. If not for the still icy roads, I would have liked to run outside today because I find really cold temperatures energizing. But 14 degrees is not my idea of a good running experience.

Instead of the street, I ran on the treadmill this morning. I wore my Kinvaras that were a nice change from the Brooks GTS 10s that I’ve been using outdoors because they do a better job of keeping my feet warm. At this point I’m really convinced that a minimal running shoe is the key to better form. Of course with the chilly winter weather more substantial shoes have a certain appeal. I didn’t run too intensely this morning but I brought up my speed after my first mile and bumped up the pace every few minutes from there.

My judgement of treadmill runs follows a different scale than outdoor runs. My starting point when running outside is generally positive and if the run is good things are even more positive. My starting point on the treadmill is the opposite and the best thing I can say about a treadmill workout is that it didn’t suck. Today’s run didn’t suck, so yay! I’m really hoping to get some outdoor running in this weekend. Next week is supposed to be warmer but with rain and even some snow. I’m traveling to a warmer climate mid week so I may get to run outdoors in shorts. That would be a welcome change.

Anticipating my return to the road

On January 13, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s workout (elliptical): 25 minutes

Despite all the snow shoveling from yesterday’s storm I felt remarkably free of any aches or pains this morning. I decided to use the elliptical machine today instead of the treadmill and I’m happy that I did. The elliptical provides a decent workout and with impact to the knees and hips it’s nice alternative to a run. Plus it’s quiet and human powered so I can zone out and not fear that the machine will punish my lack of focus the way the treadmill might.

It’s cold this morning and that will continue through tomorrow. I’m resigned to a treadmill workout in Friday and though I don’t really like the experience I like the convenience of starting my run so quickly after I get up. Unlike outdoor running that requires lots of layers, reflective vest, headlamp, etc., I throw on shorts, shoes and a shirt and I’m running. I’m hoping to catch a break on the weekend that will allow me to safely run outdoors on Saturday. The cold dry air, snow covered lawns and early winter sunrise make for a satisfying experience. Can’t wait to get back outdoors.

A snowy day and a Snowflake Race

On January 7, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Snowy dusting of the holiday display outside my window

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.3 miles

Last year I got off to a late start for racing but still managed to get in eight races between March and November. Since I’m (thankfully) not forced into a running moratorium like last year, I’m targeting my first race of 2011 for February. It’s a 4 mile run in Long Beach, the same location where I ran the 10K Turkey Trot in November. This event, dubbed the “Snowflake Race”, is shorter than that but, like the 10K, part of the race is along the boardwalk. My friend and running partner Steve is also signed up. It’s his first race and I have the feeling he’ll be going all out. I’ve only run one prior 4 mile race, the 2009 Marcie Mazzola Memorial (now a 5K), so I will have a chance for a new PR. Maybe I’ll use Steve as a chase rabbit.

This morning I used the treadmill again although the streets are still clear. There were some reports that today’s snow would start early so last night I decided to prepare for an indoor workout. There’s never much to tell about running on the treadmill. I’ve already complained about my dislike for the machine (nothing personal Sole F63, I abhor all treadmills) and today was no different. The positives are that I get a great workout because it’s just so hard for me to run this way and it’s also a good way of practicing patience.

Unlike road or trail running, treadmills provide no visual acknowledgement of progress except for the little track diagram on the display. I’ve got fairly good at switching my mind to a zen/alpha state that helps me get through the bulk of these runs. Of course I still need to watch my step because a treadmill can be dangerous to those who fail to pay attention. For me, the best part of a road run is usually experienced during the run itself but the best part of a treadmill run is when I finish.

Saving time via the treadmill

On January 4, 2011 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s run (treadmill): 2.41 miles

I have a tight schedule this morning so I decided to run on the treadmill to save some prep time. Instead of putting on multiple layers, a headlamp, reflective vest, hat and other items I geared up with just a shirt, shorts and shoes. I’ve been a little tired since coming back to work this week and I think it’s mainly due to rising again before 4:00 AM. This has been hard after “sleeping in” until 5:30 while I was on vacation. I needed to get finished with my run before 4:30 AM today so I got up to speed quickly on the F63 and kept a moderate pace that felt challengingly brisk.

Treadmill workouts are far different than outdoor runs for me. Treadmill runs are endured while outside runs are enjoyed. I usually spend my first four or five minutes on the treadmill telling myself “I can’t do this” before I settle into the grim task of completing my planned time. It was hot and I was sweating but miraculously the timer passed 20 minutes and a ran a few more before finishing on schedule. If nothing else, today’s treadmill run will make me appreciate tomorrow morning’s street run all the more.

Winterized for outdoor running

On December 29, 2010 By Emerging Runner3 Comments

Today’s run (treadmill): 3 miles

We needed to be out early this morning so I hopped on the treadmill after my wife finished her workout and ran for about 28 minutes. It was a nice run, a little longer than my usual weekday morning workout. Most importantly, it was a good recovery effort after yesterday’s double session. The most remarkable thing about today’s workout was the relative ease I had getting through the run. I always say that treadmill minutes seem far longer than street or trail minutes. Today I felt great throughout the entire run, starting at a moderate pace and slowing building speed as I went along.

The combination of sun and warming temperatures have cleared a lot of snow from the local roads and I’m hoping that I’ll be able to run outside by this weekend. Earlier this week I picked up some acrylic fleece, over-the-ear running hats at a great discount. They will be essential gear on those freezing runs at 4:00 AM between now and March. After inventorying my running stuff yesterday I concluded that I am now fully equipped for the winter. Too bad because I love to buy running gear. On the other hand it’s good to know that I’ll be well prepared to run this winter, no matter what the conditions bring.

Karhu take two: a better experience indoors

On December 29, 2010 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s workout:
Treadmill run: 3.14 miles
Elliptical: 25 minutes

It’s still early in the vacation — more days to go then have passed. We got out today for the first time since the snowstorm hit and had a great afternoon. This morning I took the time to clean out my running area in the guest room. This involved getting rid of a number of items that had been taking up space in an armoire that serves as the repository for my running gear. This cabinet also contains a large collection of technology supplies that I keep on hand in support of our network and computers. I got rid of many obsolete cables and peripherals and reduced my running shoe collection by targeting my ASICS 1130’s for donation. I was able to recover enough space to organize my running shirts, shorts, cold weather gear and socks into different drawers. A much needed exercise completed.

Exercise came in all forms today, before we all headed out I spent close to an hour on an indoor workout, first on the treadmill and then on the elliptical. I wore the Karhu Fast 2’s because I wanted to try them under different conditions. I had found the Karhu’s to be stiff and in conflict with my form when I wore them for a street run last Friday. Today they felt better and I don’t know why. Perhaps it was the treadmill surface versus running on pavement. It may be that I wasn’t physically up for the run on Friday and I assumed it was the shoes. On the treadmill the stiffness did not seem noticeable and the shoes seemed to move far better with my foot than they did last time. I focused on landing on my forefoot and the Karhu’s didn’t impede my form in any way.

I followed the treadmill run with 25 minutes on the elliptical and by the time I finished I felt the way I do after eight miles running on the road. I’m not sure what I’ll do tomorrow for a workout. The thought of another treadmill session is unappealing but with all the snow the roads are narrow and the sidewalks are buried. Hopefully we’ll see the temperatures rise enough to make the streets runnable. I’m not counting on that, but it would be nice.

Given a choice, I’ll take the elliptical

On December 14, 2010 By Emerging RunnerLeave a comment

Today’s workout (elliptical): 25 minutes

The weather has not been ideal for outdoor activities. On Sunday I ran indoors because of the pouring rain and high winds. Last night they were predicting morning temperatures in the teens so I laid out indoor workout clothes. I figured that I’d decide whether to run on the treadmill or use the elliptical when I got up. When I went down for my coffee this morning I opened the shade and saw that the neighborhood was blanketed in snow. Good call on an indoor workout last night.

Not surprisingly, I chose the elliptical this morning instead of the treadmill. Sunday’s 30 minutes of unhappiness made it an easy decision. The session went by in a flash and I couldn’t believe it when I looked at the display and saw I’d passed the 20 minute mark. I stepped it up for the last five minutes and finished hot, sweaty and satisfied that I worked as hard as I would have on the treadmill. It’s supposed to be frigid through tomorrow morning so if the roads are icy on Wednesday I guess I’ll need to face the treadmill once again. Fingers crossed for a heat wave.