Running Against the Wind (or Why I Force My Klutzy Self onto the Treadmill)

Over the past month or so I've been easing my way back into running.  You see, after my last half marathon I kind of didn't want to run so much.

But with Ann Marie on the mend from her stress fracture, and thinking ahead to race goals for next year, it was time to start getting serious about running again.

I started with mostly weekend runs, building up to 3 or 4 miles.  When Ann Marie said she was cleared for a 3.5 mile walk/run, I was ready to rock!  We planned to go to the trail around the lake by her house.  It was a chilly day, so we dressed warmly.

The activity itself went very well, as we were able to run most of the way (yay Ann Marie!)  The trouble was the wind.  It was fierce.  And completely unpredictable.  One moment we would be moving along, chatting about her adorable baby niece and nephew, and the next I would be apologizing.

I went running again the next day, and the wind was still an issue.

There were tailwinds.

There were crosswinds.

And there were headwinds.

Because of this, and the fact that it gets dark here around 4pm (seriously, when did I move to Alaska??) I have to commit to running on the treadmill if I want to run during the week.  And if you think that running indoors on a machine is safer, well, you've never seen me run on a treadmill.

For instance, I get very hot in about 62 seconds.

I should put up a splatter screen at the back of my treadmill.

And, I'm easily distracted.

This little incident left me with a bruise the size of a silver dollar on my forearm.

And then, there's this little situation that happened last week:

I went to the gym to do some speed work.  I did a little over 4 miles and kept about 1.5 miles near an 8:30 min/per mile pace.  It was ultra-fast for me and by the end I was drenched in sweat liquid awesome!  So since I'm a considerate person, I went and got the spray bottle and a paper towel to wipe down my machine.

It was super clean.

I saw a girl looking at me strangely but I couldn't figure out why...until I was walking out the door and I realized that I had cleaned the treadmill NEXT to mine.

I haven't been back to the gym all week.





Please tell me you've done something as ridiculous as this in your life!  And if you have, share it in the comments below!


UPCOMING POSTS:   I'm actually not sure yet, but I will be doing more running and swimming soon so that's probably what the subject matter will be.

Finally, thank you to all who commented on the blog birthday post!  I have listened and agree that it is time for a new banner, so stay tuned for that in the coming weeks!!

Linking up once more with the talented folk at Yeah Write. Click on the button below for some great reads!