No, I Didn't Run Away

Things have been crazy busy around here lately. Visitors. Summer Break. Work. But, I am keeping up with my workouts and finding that I am enjoying cross training. One day I am on the stair master. Another day I am on the elliptical. And yet, another day I am running on the treadmill.

I have been reading that incorporating sprinting into your workout is a great way to boost your metabolism and burn more calories. So, I have started doing that while I am on the treadmill. Granted, sprinting is probably easier to do outside on the regular pavement but I have figured out a way to do it on the treadmill that seems to be efficient.

I start my normal one minute walk while adjusting my headphones, getting my playlist going and turning on the fan and track view setting on the treadmill. Then I up to the speed to about 5.7 and jog for about five minutes to get my muscles warmed up and my head in the game. Then I bump the speed up to 6.0 and watch on the Track View screen until I noticed I am round the curve on the track which pretty much is a computerized track you'd see going around a football field. When I am at the curve, I jump up to 7.5 and haul ass to the quarter, half or mile mark. I do this at every curve I come to switching up walking and jogging in between sprints. Doing this I have cut over a minute off my 5k time. Which I am now down to less than 36 minutes. Yea me!

Motivation is the one thing that I find is the hardest part of running. Getting my ass to the gym and feeling the desire to be there it a mindfuck all the time. I constantly have to remind myself why I am doing it and how good the outcome is going to be. A long time ago when I first started Weight Watchers I was given a quote which read, "Nothing tastes as good as thin feels." I think about this phrase often and I wholeheartedly believe it. Since, I started working out up to five days a week, I have found there is a small boost in my self esteem. Clothes fit a little better. I feel healthier. I notice a change in my body. That damn scale still says that same stupid three numbers and I am thinking there might be some sort of meaning behind those numbers. I just can't quite figure it out. Perhaps I need to play them in the lottery?

It would be nice to have someone to work out with and anytime anyone wants to join me in a run, I am always eager to have someone run along side me. Last time I was at the gym I chose a treadmill next to a girl who looked about my age that was running on her treadmill. I figured I could run alongside her and pretend she was one of my friends and we were working out together. Then about three minutes into my warm-up she took off. Bitch!