Don’t tread(mill) on me
It’s been nearly 2 1/2 weeks since we’ve gotten our treadmill and endured an epic battle getting the 200-lb. thing out of the truck, avoiding the front of the ice-covered steps in favor of going up the side of them (Me: “I can’t do this because I can’t lift my leg high enough because the box is in the way and too heavy to lift higher.” Jason: “Just do it!” Me: “It. Is. Impossible, Dammit!”) and down 13 steps while Jason had the weight of the box to lean against his chest while I was hunched forward trying to keep the box from slipping down the stairs and crushing him (Me: “We should switch places. I can’t hold onto it like this. There’s no handles.” Jason: “No. Just lift it.” Me: “What if we just opened the box upstairs and brought the parts downstairs?” [Ed. note: I still do not understand why this fantastic idea was not greeted with enthusiasm] Jason: “No. Just do it!” Me: “There. Is. NOTHING. To. Hold. Onto!!!” Repeat for 30 minutes).
But we finally got it downstairs and assembled, and we’ve been using it ever since and recording our progress on a spreadsheet. We’re both eager to run and excited about getting fit, and I’ve been peppering Jason with questions about his approach to running: What music do you listen to? What do you think about? Do you try to run for a certain time or distance? How can you run for so long without stopping? Are you a robot? Etc., etc.
I don’t think I’ll ever have the runner mentality where I’ll be running and all of a sudden, whoops, 15 miles just flew by without my noticing, you know? The whole time I am running, I am keenly aware that I am running. My legs, arms and lungs are all quite aware, thank you, and my hair capitalizes on the opportunity to find the best way to plaster itself into my eyeballs.
The first time I ran, I looked at the display the whole time and stopped at a pre-determined time, not because my body actually felt tired. So since then, I’ve been zoning out, trying not to think about anything at all, and especially not thinking about how much time has elapsed, or how I’ll make a deal that I can walk once I reach a mile, or how I can slow down once a song is over. I’m focusing on my body instead. How my legs sometimes burn, how my breathing feels (I can definitely tell when I don’t use my inhaler since I have a 5-minute coughing fit afterwards), how my speed increases if Andrew W.K. or Rob Zombie are part of my playlist.
I’m no longer noticing how Shorty sometimes comes over and almost touches his nose to the moving belt; how Sunny looks prepared to leap onto the treadmill display, fall onto the moving belt and get shot into the wall, leaving behind a cartoon, cat-shaped hole; or how my disembodied, bouncing head must look through the basement window to the neighbors.
All I’m thinking about is how awesome it’s going to feel when I’m done and can record my latest progress. And how each time I get better and better.
oh god, i need lots & lots of music (must be: upbeat and/or something i love and can sing along to in my head) and lots of tiny goals. like: if i run for 3 mins i get to walk for 30 seconds, then if i run until i hit .75 miles i can walk for a minute, etc. i will NEVER be a runner who enjoys running. i’m pretty sure they are all secretly robots.
Comment by Alice — February 24, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
YEAH! That is awesome. I am not a fan of the mill but what do we Midwestern types do in the dead of winter but run on the mill. I wish we had thought out what kind of exercise machine to get – we bought a recumbent bike for various reasons. Now I wished had gone in for a treadmill BUT I was not running back then and a bike sounded great. Anywho, the running will start to get easier. We just bought a little flat screen for the exercise area so we can watch the shows we want to while we are down there. That is one of the reasons we do not use it very much – MUST see TV
KEEP ON GOING GIRL!
Comment by Christina — February 24, 2010 @ 4:08 pm
YAY for treadmill stories!
OMG, I CANNOT “listen to my body” when I’m running. WHATSO. I have to have as many distractions as possible, up to and including music, tv, magazines, or possibly a COMBINATION of those things. True story. AND, I always cover the screen with a towel otherwise I obsess over how slowly the time is going.
Comment by Tessie — February 24, 2010 @ 4:27 pm
I’m with Tessie. I like distractions. The thing that gets me through my workouts is watching my heart rate monitor and keeping myself in the target zone. I bet you’d love that too, if your treadmill is compatible.
Comment by Jess — February 24, 2010 @ 4:32 pm
Yeah, I have issues with listening to my body…because my body SUCKS and I need to be distracted. So…I used to have my spare TV and VCR with the treadmill and I would watch a couple episodes of the simpsons or family guy or futurama or something like that (which is why I am slightly ridiculously able to quote just about EVERY episode). So that’s always fun.
Comment by Sarah — February 24, 2010 @ 5:53 pm
Gah, I miss our treadmill now. It broke about six months ago and we never replaced it – N runs outside and I…well, don’t.
That first paragraph reminds me of the time N and I tried to move a 55-inch TV downstairs by ourselves. Suffice it to say, he nearly died. Ah, memories.
Comment by nonsoccermom — February 24, 2010 @ 7:34 pm
I agree, it’s all about distractions! Even though I love doing the Nordic Track and I listen to music, I find myself watching the clock or counting the songs to justify getting off. Now the recombent bike is another story! I could stay on forever. I promised myself that when my close friend calls me at 6:30 AM, instead of sitting down with a cup of coffee, I immediately get on the bike. Or, the real time killer is the Solitaire Game. Admit it, you all have one. Literally, my legs are noodles when I get off after playing Solitaire because of the length of time that I’m on it.
Comment by Becky — February 25, 2010 @ 6:06 am
Oh, that is awesome! I must clean off my treadmill and start using it again!
Comment by Shelly — February 25, 2010 @ 8:27 am