My love affair with the treadmill

Tags

Lower Back Pain, Running, shin splints, Treadmill

I know that many people hate the treadmill. People call it the dreadmill. I love mine. Here is how I came to love a piece of machinery that many people despise….

You might remember that earlier this year I was moaning about my sore back. Then we had some terrible weather. Well, dear readers, it has basically been non stop raining here. When I say that, I mean it. Almost every day we have had rain, some days heavier than others. Record breaking rain some would say.

My sore back took its sweet time to get back to normal too. I was diligent with my exercises, but to be honest, the rain was a great excuse for me to delay training for my half marathon later this year. So I sat on my arse, and did nothing.

And then I got bored. So so so sick of not running. But every time I was ready to hit the road again, it would rain. So I did not run – for weeks…. It sucked

The thought came to me. “What I need is a treadmill.” This thought would not go away. So I started looking on Ebay. And I found one. Last Sunday, I picked up my treadmill after parting with a measly $220. The guy we bought it from forgot to give me the power cord so it wasn’t till Thursday this week that I took it for a spin.

This is my beast.

OMG, this thing is amazing. I have been running so much faster than on the ground, which is to be expected. But it is making me work so much harder, and I am loving it. Today I got out a quick 2.5km before breakfast with the intention of cranking up my speed. At one point I was running at 9km an hour, which for me was FAST! My heart was racing, sweat pouring off me and I felt invincible.

The best part of running on this is the reduction of impact. After a big hiatus, two runs on the road would have me sore and tender, but apart from the usual running niggles, there is no pain. Not in my shins, or my back. Which makes me confident that I can get some more kms in my week than I can on the road.

Wow, I am so much happier now that I am running again. All hail the treadmill.

 

Uh, Oh, Spagettio

Tags

Running, shin splints

Well, this is embarrassing. A rookie mistake was made today.

My natural tendencies when things are going well is to go harder/do more/be better. Basically, I tend to charge headfirst into things and suffer.

You may recall my elation in smashing 20 mins of non stop running two days ago.

Well, today I thought to myself, ‘If you can do 20, you can so do 30′. I know, I know, increase by 10% at a time….Who in their right mind would attempt a 50% increase??????? A crazy person, that’s who. Me.

Such a sad tale, it started off well, a few niggles that got ironed out within the first 2-3 mins. Got to 15 mins (my god I was so happy to hear that voice prompt!!), turned around and told husband I needed a break. Walked for about 2 mins, started running again and thats when it fell to pieces. EVERYTHING HURT! Like everything. The old shin splints felt like they were back with a vengeance. I got a blister. I felt like vomiting at one stage (Ill be honest here, it was not from overexertion, but my water tasted manky in the plastic bottle it was in….). My legs felt like lead. I got a stitch. Whinge whinge whinge…..Bleh

I alternated through the next agonising ten minutes with running and walking, more walking and then my bf called! Joy and relief filled my body. I felt like I’d been given a ‘get out of jail free’ card. I took the call and walked the rest of the way back to our starting point where husband was waiting patiently for me.

Lessons Learnt:

1. Before my miracle 20 min run, I drank about 750mls water, this morning a mere gulp whilst swanning confidently out the door. Drink more before the run.
2. Its a tad ambitious to go for 30 when I just completed 20. Slow down sister, small increments will get me there faster than big leaps.
3. I really really need to stretch my calves more, yesterday I did them only once. This is the first time I have had to ice my legs after a run in ages. Boo.
4. Change my water bottle so the water does not taste platicy and manky.

This is my after run treat, its so creamy and smells freaking amazing. Source

I bought a special body wash a few weeks ago that I promised I would only use when I went for a run. I felt guilty using it this morning…..

So all in all it was not great. I still got about 20-22mins out but it was not continuous and I felt like it was hard work. I now have a blister plaster on the wound and will take it easy and go for the original plan of 21 mins for my next run. Sheesh, what a crap way to learn a lesson 🙂

 

– Strava app – Best.Mind.Worm.Ever…..

Tags

Racing, Running, shin splints

Game on

So there is this app called Strava http://www.strava.com/mobile where basically you go about your ride/run and it uses GPS to track you.  The fun part is you are basically competing against other people who ride/run the same path as you.  I checked it out and it looks rad.  But now I have a Mind Worm…  Every time I see someone on their bike or out for a run, I can’t help wondering

• Are they going for their PB?
• Are they racing?
• Who holds the best time for this segment?
• Can I beat them?

Its a wicked worm indeed.

I didn’t have the app this am when I went on my run. The mind worm was working overtime as I was out and about, lots of people on bikes that were going for it…..hmmmmm!

I skipped a few sessions of the Run5k app as I was up to week 7 when the shin splints took hold and stopped me running. The orthotics are perfect. Thanks Podiatrist 🙂 His recommendation of stretching out my calves has made a significant improvement to my running as well. I feel like my legs aren’t shuffling anymore, which makes me feel like I am running stronger and harder. The run I did today was Run 5 mins, Walk 2 Mins, Run 8 mins, Walk 2 Mins, Run 2 Mins. The 8 min part felt fantastic, I felt like I could have kept going for ages more. I plan to keep upping the time and once I reach my goal of running continuously for 5km, I will be getting Strava app and going for it! Can’t even wait!