2014-03-05 - Treadmills have their place
I get a kick out of Facebook posts where someone mentions a treadmill workout. Then, they get hammered by a so called "friend" beating them up for wimping out and not getting out the door. I kind of get it but on the flip side some runners use the treadmill as a tool, regardless of the weather. The fact is, treadmill running can make you a faster, more efficient and a mentally tough runner.
Let's start with the, "mentally tough" claim. Let's say you jump on the treadmill for a workout. After what you guess is about hour of running, you look down at the time readout on the treadmill and you see that you have actually been on the thing for all of 5 minutes. If you hold out for an actual hour, you will be one mentally tough runner when you get back outside running in the natural environment!
The treadmill makes you more efficient. An interesting phenomenon takes place when you run on a treadmill. Let's say you set the speed of the treadmill at 9 minute per mile pace. As you run to keep up with the moving belt at a specific speed, you will have a natural tendency to adjust your running form to make it the least effort possible. These adjustments in form will even happen with little conscious effort. A runner may have other form inefficiencies such as those that make them bounce or lift their feet too high. These runners will actually clean up their form seeking the easiest way to run the pace set. These effects are increased if the pace is a difficult one for the runner to hold. After using a treadmill consistently for a period of time these changes in form will be learned, you will take them with you when you go on the road.
That said, it comes down to your running goals, some of us are out to get faster, some of us are out to get outside!
Get in your run, it's all good,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, headed out the door.
PS: Join us for spike nights at Running Fit! 20% off for student athletes! Northville - every Friday in March. Novi - Every Wednesday in March. AA West - Every Tuesday in March. AA East - Every Thursday in March. Traverse City Downtown - March 20.
PS: Join us Tuesday, March 11, at our bi-monthly forum at Running Fit Novi as we explore The Rise of the Charity Runner and what running for charity means for individuals, organizations and races. There will be plenty of lively discussion and ample opportunity for audience comments and questions.
2014-02-26 - Appointment to Run
Polar Vortex training seems to be working, why else would I feel 20 degrees and sunny is a perfect running day?
Speaking of weather, as we roll into March, it's time to ramp up our running and totally ignore the weather when it comes to our daily miles. Yes, respect the weather and dress and train appropriately for the conditions be they hot, cold, raining or whatever but don't skip your run due to weather. On race day, you will have no choice, you might as well train in all conditions so you know what works.
For the daily run to happen it needs to be on your schedule, nobody will just happen to find the time to run in this busy life. Your run deserves the priority of any other meeting in your planner. When you do this, you won't be lying to someone when you say you have a 3PM appointment you need to get to ... as you are changing into your running clothes!
Stick to the schedule,
Randy Step, an admitted obsessed runner, who admits writing weekly emails that are directed at... me.
PS: A few spring styles are starting to bloom at Running Fit, stop on in, just seeing them can brighten your day and get you excited to run! When you're in, don't miss the winter rack of 50% off Polar Vortex running apparel! Ha!
PS: It's time to get back to GIVING BACK! Running Fit wants YOU. Coming up on the event calendar we have: Shamrocks and Shenanigans in Ann Arbor on March 9, the Martian Invasion of Races on April 12, and Trail Marathon Weekend April 26 and 27! Join us and VOLUNTEER NOW!