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Healthful Bites
Most diehard runners would scold me, but so far, I’ve done the majority of my training runs indoors on the comfort of a treadmill. Why? You can’t beat the convenience of being able to walk down one flight of stairs and a hallway to find the gym. Plus, there are these other awesome factors:
- The console can hold my keys, water bottle and iPhone (for music) rather than me.
- My fingers, toes and nose stay at a temperature where I can feel them! And it’s much faster to toss on a pair of shorts and a T after a long day of work than getting bundled up to sweat outside.
- I can add hills with the touch of a button and can easily track and alter my pace.
- The multitasker in me loves it! I know many runners love being alone with their thoughts while training. But I kind of enjoy accomplishing more than one thing at once and admit that I enjoy the distraction during the longer sessions. True story: I have the timing down to a science so I can wash and dry my laundry down the hall in the exact time it takes to do a solid run/walk workout!
- There’s always an open restroom nearby if you need to blow your nose or sip too much water and require a pit stop.
- If I need a little extra motivation, there’s often another runner to challenge one machine over (only I know we’re in a competition, of course)! :)
- Most importantly, I’m in a safe environment and don’t have to worry about my surroundings and whether it’s light out or not.
I have done some runs outdoors since I know I need to practice in the elements with the road, hills and wind, and I plan to do most of my long runs sans-treadmill. (I take into account the fact that most experts say that the rotating belt gives you a little extra help and tweak my workouts accordingly.) But it sure was helpful to have this weekend during my seven miler when the wind was howling up to 60 MPH outside! Overall, I have to say that I don’t really agree with all the workout machine haters.
For more on this subject, check out this Los Angeles Times article with a different perspective.
How do you feel about indoor training? If you’ve trained for an endurance race, did you do all of your runs outside?
Quote to consider this week:
“A lot of people run a race to see who’s the fastest. I run to see who has the most guts.” — Steve Prefontaine
When springtime rolls around, nature occasionally calls me to soak up the lovely weather by exercising outdoors. (Case in point: last week, I was sitting inside with the windows open after working out earlier in the day. I was struck with the feeling that I had to go on a bike path cycling ride which I hadn’t done in a year! So I hit the pedals for a marvelous 15 miler. What a great idea!)
But besides walking, running and biking, what can you do al fresco? In this video, I share tips to incorporate strength and fun heart-pumping moves into your family trip to the park, neighborhood stroll or interval run/walk routine. All you need to complete this workout is a bench or staircase and a bit of open space.
Plus, moving around outside for just five minutes can boost self esteem and mood in all kinds of people!
What are your favorite ways to work up a sweat outside?
