recommit to hamsterness

Last spring, I started running as a regular part of my fitness routine. When I started, I despised it, but I was looking at a week of vacation and didn't want to pay a $15 daily fee for some crappy gym. So if I could run for... say... an hour, that would save at least $90, right?

After my vacation, I kept it up. I stopped sucking at it so much and actually started to look forward to my runs. I'd run 6 miles 2-4 times per week. Through discussions with people who have run marathons, they told me that if I wanted to run faster, I would have to run for a longer period of time at the original pace. So I got up to 10 miles, which I did once or twice a month through August. Then I started a really difficult rotation, and lost the ability to work out for extended periods of time. Which turned into the holidays, and then more difficult rotations.

I want to get back up to running 10 miles. Not because I want to train for anything like a half-marathon; I'm a hamster who runs on the treadmill with my own little tv tuned to Simpsons, What Not to Wear, or some good old movie on TCM. But because I've been able to do it in the past, I liked how I felt when I was able to do it, and I don't want to lose this ability as I get older.

One of the reasons I've not run so much recently isn't because of a lack of time, but because of a trainer who gave me a free session at the gym. I think she kind of threw me for a loop -- unintentionally, I'm sure. She took me to the roof to run on the track and told me that I could burn more fat that way. Which, when I think about it, is crap. I'll burn more fat if I burn 600 calories on the treadmill vs. 350 outside. While it's nice and peaceful up there, I don't really push myself. I just sort of jog along and when I get tired, I do 5-10 more minutes and then stop. The most I've run up there is 40 minutes, and it's no where near as fast as I go when I'm on the treadmill.

So screw the roof. I'm back to my tv watching. I'll keep an eye on my form and use the tips she gave me for running, but I have *got* to get back up. Why not just run 6-10 miles outside you ask? A couple of reasons: First, I'm paranoid of the sun. It causes wrinkles and cancer, in that order. Second, I'm also paranoid about jacking up my knees. Cement is very unforgiving on knees, and all the orthopaedic residents tell me that I'll need knee replacements if I run on cement. So that's out. It's either a track (outside) or the treadmill (inside). I'll head up to the roof occasionally, but the norm will be the hamster track.

Today's workout will be a 5-10 minute warm up of either stair master or jumping rope, back and biceps for strength training, and running. I ran a little more than 4 miles yesterday, so I think I'll go for 5 today.

Comments

[Vanessa]

You are serious into this! The most serious I get about working out is yoga. Stop laughing! Yoga is actually a very good workout!

[karin]

rock, on girl! working out is a great high, isn't it? go get 'em and hoorah on the 10 miles!

[Krystyn]

Call me crazy - I picked up running after having surgery on BOTH knees. I've now had 2 on the right and since I've started running post-pregnancy, my left knee is killing me...I'm hoping the pain eases as I drop the extra 20 lbs I'm carrying...otherwise we may just balance out with 2 surgeries on each knee.

[kazzles]

Hope the workouts go well! It's so hard when you're doing shift work too I know full well.

I've been busy lately too and haven't been doing what I should be doing. I'm not really a runner though, but I really want to buy a bike. My knees are dodgy too - I didn't know you'd need knee replacements from running on cement. Wow that's a bit disincentive to run!

I used to love keeping fit, but lately I've embraced slothfulness way too much.