A New Perspective on Running Outside

Here's my top 5 reasons for being a treadmill hermit:

5. My schedule. Either have to run early or late after the hubby comes home from work, since I can't take my little one on runs with me. Don't do early, so I would have to run after 8:30 p.m and after dark, like I did tonight.


4. I like to have music when I run. It scares me to run with my iPod on full blast when outside alone.

3. If running outside, I have to run mostly on the sidewalk because of crazy drivers in my neighborhood, or the fact that I have to run at night, and I don't want to get hit by a car.


2. The weather. Not fond of running in weather over 80 degrees or below 50. And humidity over 60% is a daily occurrence in this valley, so I have avoided outside running like the plague. Here was tonight's weather. Not horrible, but humid, nonetheless:

1. Allergies. I live in the 3rd worst city for allergies, according to The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Typically have to take a bunch of Kleenex with me if running outside at least 6 months out of the year.



The weirdest thing happened tonight. I had 4 miles on the schedule, but I was going to play it by ear because of the knee/shin thing. The hubby was going to get home later than normal from work, so I got started on the treadmill. I knew half a mile in that I wasn't going to make it very far. Shin splints on my right leg were UNBEARABLE!! I stopped and walked, I stopped and stretched, hell, I even just stopped for a few minutes. But they just got worse. So at 1.20 miles, I stopped and iced my shins for about 15 minutes.

Then I decided to take the dog out for jog/walk about a half mile out and back.

Here's the weird part. My shins did not hurt at all the whole time.

According to my iMapMyRun App, I ran 1.02 at a pace that I have trouble hitting on the treadmill unless I'm doing speedwork (i.e. sprints, then walk breaks). I don't know how accurate these GPS apps are, and I have yet to spend the moolah on a Garmin (holding out for my b-day...*sigh*). But I do know that because the shin splints didn't bother me, and because my dog was keeping me going at a pretty steady pace, I'm sure I was pretty close to the time the app said. I ran longer and harder than I have been on the treadmill. Again, I was reminded why I need to run outside more.

I didn't keep going because Heidi (our dog) probably couldn't take much more. She and I have not run together in months, so I didn't want to over do it. She is overweight. And I also didn't want to push the shin splint/knee issue. So I will take the 2.25 miles tonight and plan to do 4 on Thursday instead (Thursday was originally 2 miles). I'm listening to my body during this training and not just looking at the numbers on my schedule.


For me, getting outside to run is a rare thing. I would like to change that. I am going to attempt to start running outside at least 1 out of the 3 days a week that I run, as long as Satan's weather stays away. Maybe I'll even shake things up and get up early before work and run, who knows!

As long as the weather cooperates, I can make the time to do it, my knee and shins hold up, my allergies stay in check and I can learn to live without music while I run, it may work! I'm not asking much, right?

I ran a 5K!!!!!

I know, you're saying "whoopty-doo". But for me, it is the longest distance I have done since April 2010. It wasn't an "official" race. Just me and my treadmill, avoiding the wrath of satan outdoors.

 I felt strong.

 I felt good.

I could have kept going, but I knew I still had the other wrath of satan to deal with: Jillian Michael's Ripped in 30.

Today was day 5 of week 1. The final day of the first week. I have to say, so far, so good. I can do a few more push ups and crunches than the first day. I can hold my plank pose longer. And I increased my weights for some of the arm strength exercises. I am already noticing changes in my arms. They feel more toned. So do my legs. But maybe that's from running, too. Dunno. All I know is, I'm going to keep it up. I guess any workout video works if you actually do it. I'll keep you posted on my success (as well as my failures, as always!)

Lastly, I'll leave you with a little motivation:

Some Sanity on a Monday

Well, I am feeling a little more human today, but still not 100%. Wondering if I should try out a short run on the treadmill or just rest for another day. That would be 4 rest days in a row, thanks to the weekend trip and this wonderful stomach thing that is going on. I've got to do something, maybe a slow jog or even just walking?

It is SO humid outside already, there is no way I could run outside. Even on a healthy day. So call me a wimp. Or maybe a diva. Either way, I'm not sure anyone would want to run outside in this heat and humidity.

Anyone that has ever lived in or visited the Ohio Valley in summer knows that the humidity is what kills us. It is only 80 degrees right now, but with 76% humidity and no wind it feels closer to 90. I think our heat/humidity is similar to places like Florida. I'm sorry, but I don't like to run in a sauna, just sayin'.

Now, in honor of Cely from Running off the Reece's, here is my Magnificent Men of Monday...

			Feeling better already! Kind of motivates me to go run. Enjoy!