Love/Hate the Treadmill

So I couldn't get up on Monday morning to get my 50 minute easy run in. "No worries," I said to myself, "I can just do it at the gym since I have two days left in my membership."

So, I went to the gym as planned. Only, there were a couple things off.

1. I got there a little later than usual, due to work stuff.
2. I had my old running shoes, which are a half-size too small because my other shoes had YET to dry out from the Shuffle.
3. There's a time limit on the cardio equipment.

I hopped on a 'mill and started running, only to realize that 50 minutes is a long time on a treadmill for me. I usually max out at 20 minutes. And that's if there's a cute guy's butt on the treadmill in front of me to provide distraction. No such luck this time. My feet didn't feel too weird, just a little tighter due to the shoes.

I also started to notice the people waiting for treadmills right around when I hit the 35 minute mark. Granted there were people who had been on the treadmills a lot longer than I had, but I just felt guilty so I started to cool down and relinquished control of the 'mill to a girl who probably needed it more than me.

And, I would take any excuse to get off it at that point.

So I headed downstairs to use the weight machines. And who was waiting for me? Chest Press guy! I got through THREE different machines before he finally chose another unfortunate piece of exercise equipment to sit on for a while. It seemed like every toolbox-trying-to-compensate-for-something was just sitting and not exercising the entire evening. After a certain point, I just couldn't take it anymore and had to motor out of there. Plus, Stalker Lady was there, copying my every move. Seriously, in the four months that she'd been stalking me, I haven't seen her use a Bosu ball. But now she is! Coincidence? I think not...

And yet, no sign of Runner Boy. Maybe we'll meet on the path one day.

Because I have such a guilty conscience, I decided that I needed to get up this morning to get my 50 minute run in. Nothing special, just 50 minutes of moderately paced running. I'm glad I did it, too, because it turned out to be a pretty solid run. Nothing hurt really, and I was careful with keeping my pace together. I averaged just under a 10:00 pace. It felt pretty solid. Solid enough that I think I'm ready to kick my training up a notch for the next two weeks before I start tapering for Palos. Since the last two weekends ended up being cutbacks, the Lakefront Angels are running 12 miles this coming Sunday. Jen and I were going to do it anyway because neither of us will be in town Easter weekend, the day the 12 miler is actually scheduled for. I just don't want to run 12 miles by myself in the hills (yes, I've found they DO exist in parts of the Midwest!) of Cleveland's west side. I've decided that I can do eight that weekend instead.

So tonight is my last night at the gym. I'm feeling rather ambivalent about it. I'm glad I won't be paying for it anymore, but I'll miss the use of exercise equipment.

In unrelated news, I'm a little concerned about my job right now. They're going to be laying people off, rather soon actually, and of course I'm worried I'll be included in that lot. Logically and realistically, I should be fine, if the people making the decisions are actually interested in saving the organization, as they say they are. However, judging by a lot of their decisions and actions, I'm doubtful. So please, cross your fingers, light a candle, say a little prayer for me, offer up your first born, etc. Or whatever you feel comfortable doing. Because I can't survive without a job right now :(


P.S. I wonder what Deena wore on Sunday for the Shuffle?