WORKOUT – TM run
8.0 miles/62 mins
1. incline
The thing I love about 24 Hour Fitness, and I’ve said this a bunch of times (hey look at me, I’ma broken record!) is that you can go to so many locations across the country with your membership.
For someone who travels regularly, that’s worth the $22/month in membership fees to me. Plus, I’ve been running on the treadmill more lately. Yes, it’s boring (I try to watch the news instead of listen to music which is even more boring) but it’s mindless, safe, climate controlled and easy to do speed work.
Why am I defending the treadmill right now?! What do you think…
Treadmill: Lover or Hater?
So this morning I went to one in Portland (after getting royally lost and taking about 45 minutes to find the place that was 6 minutes away) and ran for an hour.
YESTERDAY
After saying goodbyes to everyone, my mom and I drove to Portland and checked into a hotel. We searched around and wheeled and dealed for a cheap, clean place with airport parking and a shuttle.
It’s nice for the price and only a couple miles from the airport. And my mom’s sparkle fingers want to wave hello:
We dumped off all our stuff and then drove to Pizzicato Pizza in Westmoreland; we had planned on going to a little sushi joint nearby, but it was super busy so we did Italian instead.
We each had a small salad to start:
I had the Arugula Pear and my mom had the Chinese Chop. We were talking about salads (you know, normal dinner conversation) and I was saying how I love salads but don’t like any sort of Chinese salad… mandarin oranges, the crispy noodles, none of that for me.
And then we shared a small 10” pizza which ended up being the perfect amount for us to chow but not go all Man VS Food. My side had the Pomodoro and my mom’s was the Genovese.
And now we’re headed to Phoenix for some girl time and a marathon! Anyone else running this race? I know my homegirl is and Hillary too.
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
That salad looks sooo good!
I only run the treadmill, because I have a one year old and live in the country. I used to not mind it when I was only running a mile or two at a time, but now that I’m running a little more it is terribly boring and I really do find myself dreading it.
I’m dreaming of a garmin landing in my lap, then I think I would be more willing to drive to an actual town and run!
Good luck on your marathon!
I hope you had a good family visit, and a good time in Portland! I live about 30 mins north of Portland.
I avoid the treadmill at all costs if I can. I’ll probably need to get used to it in a few years though as I’ll be running at odd hours and will probably be using a treadmill…
Not sure why I hate it so much – just get impatient and bored.
hold the phone…you pay 22$ a month for 24hur fitness AND get to go any one of its locations!!! Mine charges 55$ a month for only its one location and an extra 10$ if you want to be able to go to any location! Clearly I need to move!
I’m running it too. Headed over the expo in a bit : )
As much as I hate the crowded facilities and sometimes outdated machines, I love 24 Hour for the same reasons as you. I hate Chinese style salads, too.
I’m a treadmill convert. Used to dread it now I love it. I still prefer outside running without a doubt but the TM is perfect for the winter when it’s too dark in the morning or after work to run. I have to play mind games with the speed and incline to keep it interesting otherwise I would jump off within 5 minutes!
I live in Portland, so it’s always cool to see when you travel up to the pacific northwest! I haven’t been to pizzicato yet, but hear it’s pretty good. You should check out the 24hr in the Pearl… it’s ridiculous how LA-like it is (aka very un-Portland). My boyfriend goes there and it’s always a show! Oh, and I love the treadmill for speed work, but not for anything else. We have a standing once a week date… and the rest of the time I run outside down the waterfront.
I appreciate the treadmill and typically run once or twice a week on it. It’s the best way I’ve found to pace myself and push myself. Half the time I’ll run to ESPN and the rest of the time I turn the TV off so I can fucus on running well.
I’m running Lost Dutchman just across the valley! IMS is faster, but LD is prettier
Good luck this weekend! Praying for a great race for you!!
I love me some 24HF.
I love AND hate the treadmill! Hah. I love it for speed work and intervals, but for longer runs (more than 7 or so), I MUST do them outside. I trained on a TM for a marathon (got up to 17 miles on that thang) ….so I hated it for a long, long time. Hah
GOOD luck!
P.s. love, love 24Hr.! I work there (as a fitness instructor) actually. It’s SO nice to be able to go wherever
Actually the treadmill has helped me so much! I am a novice and I won’t go into details but I am not confident enough to be running outside just yet so doing my workout inside is building my body and my confidence a little at a time. I know its so dorky but hey, I’m new to this running thing but so hooked!
I loved 24 hour fitness. It was super convenient when I worked night shift and could go at 2am. Having the gym to myself makes my day! I let my membership lapse when I moved to a town that didn’t have one.
There are days when I love the treadmill … it pushes me to go faster, and it’s in a temperature-controlled room. But there are other days when it’s boring and I’d rather be outside! I did 7.5 miles outside today. It was my first outdoor run in about 2 months, and it felt great!
I only do 3-5 mile recovery runs and speed work on the treadmill. Otherwise it is pure mental torture for me. Good luck in AZ!
I have a treadmill at home because I live in the IE- so hot during the summer! I kinda love it- I can watch what I want on TV, get off to pee when necessary and when I have kids someday it will be an easy option.
I love my 24 hour membership $17 since high school. I can’t stand the treadmill though, loose focus too quickly
I plan to head over there ti do some serious cheering!
Good Luck!!
That’s a pretty cute bathroom, considering it was a last minute deal….
I rack most of my miles on the dreadmill. We have a love-hate relationship. But being I live in Chicago but butt would rather run 10 on the dreamill then 10 in -10 degree weather.
I love running on a treadmill. I am extremely number oriented and TM allows me to control the speed better than when I run outside. Plus traffic lights are in Shanghai on every corner and there are like zero parks here, so it is more of a pain to do it outside. That said, I just finished 12 miles in my gym! It is all about making it interesting: 7k tempo, 7k speed intervals, 6k incline intervals. Done and done! Have a great race!
I’m running the half tomorrow. Decided on a whim yesterday and went to register this afternoon. Good luck
Treadmill lover all the way. A good run outside is always nice but I’ve noticed most of my better runs are indoors and on the treadmill…dang allergy induced asthma.
I dig the treadmill. I am not down with running outside by myself- I just wouldn’t do it. My town isn’t runner friendly, as we have sidewalks that just randomly end and then voila! You’re in the road. It kills me during races though, since I am not used to running outside.
I used to be a treadmill only girl, especially in the winter. Now I am starting to dislike it. I can’t wait for spring to get here!
When you’re dealing with injury, the treadmill is where it’s at! I was once running outside and ITBS hit so hard i couldn’t run anymore, but was 7 miles from my truck. It was a long, sad walk back.
I could never eat pizza witn no cheese! Good luck on the race!
I have a definite love/hate relationship with the treadmill. Horribly boring, but has definitely helped me improve as a runner (speed work, intervals, hills b/c we have no real ones around me…) so I visit it 2-3 times a week. It is also a great way to “run” with friends who are not my same pace or don’t want to run as long as I do…
Your mom rocks. I mostly go to races on my own. You’re so lucky that your mom goes with!
I have treadmill ADD and have to trick myself to keep going: every three miles I switch up the incline or throw a speed mile in so I don’t lose interest.
I run a lot on the treadmill in the winter, mostly because it’s safe and I don’t want to die in the dark. Also, it’s pretty much the only time I watch tv, so it’s actually enjoyable.
I love it when you do Portland posts since that’s where we live! You must have been trying to get into Saburo’s. LOVE that place, hate the lines. Safe travels!
Hey Skinnyrunner! I have commented before and love your blog- you are a true inspiration! I have a question re- treadmills (ie- dreadmills!) Sounds like you use them a lot for your training. Do you think running on a ‘mill prepares you adequately for outdoor races? Is it possible for me to train for a marathon (one that is a relatively flat course) indoors rather than running outside? I appreciate your insight, thanks a lot!
yes i think you can train for a marathon entirely on a treadmill. janae from hungryrunnergirl.com did that for her first marathon.
id say to run on a bit of an incline to offset the no wind/motor advantage and to do the same speedwork and hills workouts on the mill as you would outside.
Thanks for your help! Have you yourself trained for a marathon entirely on a treadmill?
no i havent. ive done a 21 miler on a treadmill and then a couple days ago a 30 mile run on my 30th birthday, but im in southern california where we have great weather year round so i run outside a lot.
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