With negative wind chills and temps in the single digits, I opted to do my long run this weekend on the treadmill. My body really does not handle cold well and I knew the run would do more harm than good if I did it outside. And since I actually like the treadmill, it's not that miserable of an experience for me to put in a lot of miles on it. A lot of people have asked how I do it because they can't get past a few miles on a treadmill. For me, I break it down into chunks. This past Saturday I did 6, restarted, 6.5 then another 6.5. For some reason, I like loops, segments, etc and when I can count down, things go much faster for me. Instead of looking at it as 19 miles, I had 3 segments and that seemed much more manageable. It also helped that I had company for most of the run with friends hoping on next to me to chat for a while. It did get rough around mile 16 but I pushed through. At mile 18 I had enough so I bumped up the pace and eventually took it to a 7:30 just to get the run over with. Post run, I felt great. So nice to not shiver for hours after and have terrible wind burn on my face and sore puffy eyes.
The worst part of treadmill running for me is the chafing. It's bad enough that I already have hard, rough skin from where my sports bra rubs day in and day out, adding chafed skin to the mix is just miserable. I don't normally chafe, but long sweaty runs inside causes it big time. Around my waist, the ta-tas, my chest, and the crotch from where the liner of the shorts rub. Saturday I was prepared though and covered myself in Vaseline before I left the house. And to play it safe, I kept a huge container of Vaseline next to the treadmill. People must have been wondering what the heck was going on. Four water bottles on the treadmill, towel, Gus, vaseline, spare shirt, extra headband...I was prepared! Anyway, I re-lubed after the first 6 miles and then again any time I felt a hot spot. In the beginning I tried to be discreet about it but by the end of the run, I was lubing up around my crotch like it was nothing. Thankfully, my efforts paid off and I didn't have one spot of chafing. :-)
I realized yesterday that my last complete rest day was Jan 5th. I think I'm going to try to make that my only one for the month. Since I haven't felt like I needed one, I haven't been taking any. So, I'm going to keep going until I think one is necessary. Curious to see how long I can go.
Here's my schedule for the week:
Mon - 4 mi, lift
Tues - 9 mi (ladders)
Wed - cross train (spin class or bike trainer)
Thurs - 9 mi (3 mi at race pace)
Fri - 4 mi, lift
Sat - 20 mi
Sun - cross train (swim)
19 comments:
Great job on the 19 miles. I don't mind running long on a treadmill either...especially in the winter!
Be careful with the no rest days.. Injury can creep up on you! Have a great week!
I don't run well in the cold either, my legs feel really heavy and I get a rash. I'm getting better about my treadmill and prb will be doing some long runs on it too. Have you used Body glide?
Yay for 19 on the treadmill! I do the same as you, break it into segments. My longest treadmill run was 20 miles, broken into four five mile segments. I think it is great mental training!
I really don't mind long TM runs either -we use a similar technique in breaking it up into smaller chunks. Nice work!
Great job...I have no treadmill access anymore so I am stuck outside. Luckily it was sunny yesterday....it was NOT warm though.
Hats off to you! I know I couldn't do that long of a run on the treadmill!
I once did 18 on the treadmill but don't remember if I had any chafing. I use Mission Skincare anti-chafing cream. It is really the best stuff out there (of many that I've tried)!
I would have been right there next to you this weekend - my lungs can't handle the cold like that, regardless of the pace.
you're insane. major kudos to you for running that far on the treadmill! my longest t-mill run was 8 miles i think. you're amazing!
Mad props... I would go insane . Also, for some reason I thought it was hilarious that you were lubing your crotch in public at the gym. What can I say, deep down I am a 12 year old boy.
Respect to you for being able to do that. I ran outside this weekend it was -33 with the wind (about -20 in F for the Americans) just couldn't stomach the idea of a treadmill.
Very fun treadmill story. You handled it like a pro.
Because you ARE a pro.
Have I mentioned the guy at my pool? Slaps gobs of Vaseline in his armpits? Yeah. So. You should be OK.
And I am behind on posts...
Denise!
That Marathon Maniac run-in.
That guy is a dipshit IMHO.
Finally, didn't I tell you that OLY was your TRI distance? You'll do great. Keep pushing yourself!
When I first started running on the treadmill I also used vaseline...the oily mess would ruin my white singlets by leaving dark marks where I applied vaseline on my nipples...not an attractive sight. Also, I had to reapply the vaseline during long runs.
Then I discovered the product "Body Glide" and no longer feel like an oily mess, doesn't leave dark patches on my expensive running clothes and doesn't rub off as easily as Vaseline...do I sound like a paid commercial or what?!?
I bow down to you! I couldn't do it, I just couldn't. I can't even go 3 miles on the mill without going out of my mind! I am cracking up over the lubing up! LOL!
yay! i only wish i could go that long on a treadmill!
All the cross-training must be treating you well since you don't feel the need to rest.
Way to go on the chafe-free long run!!
Holy cannoli! 19 miles on the treadmill?!?! I thought I was doing great with my 9 on the mill! WOW. Good way to look at it with the loops.
Great job!
ahhh I dont know how you can last that long on the mill - NICE JOB! I think that proves some serious mental toughness :)
You shouldve taken a pic of your station ;)
Ok, your treadmill setup sounds awesome! Especially the vaseline. It made me smile! Way to be prepared for the long miles indoors!
Post a Comment