Thursday, December 20, 2012

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!

58 comments:

  1. First off, I LOVE your graphics....seriously! :)
    I have cleaned off the wrong treadmill numerous times at the gym....sometimes in the wrong ROW!! Oy!

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    1. Thanks Mo! And am I glad you've cleaned the wrong treadmill too!! I probably should have gone back and cleaned the right one but well, I didn't.

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  2. You are such a windbag! Haha Adorable as ever.

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    1. Thanks Alexandra :P Woooooosssshhhhhh...that's me blowing like the wind :)

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  3. Your posts never fail to put a smile on my face. Love the graphics each and every time. And you are definitely not alone - cleaned many wrong machines, fell off a treadmill before...it's a dangerous toy!

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    1. Thanks Angela! Falling off the treadmill is a huge fear of mine!!

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  4. I haven't done it, but I can totally relate to this post! Love it ;)

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    1. I'm happy to hear you can relate...I hate thinking I'm the only klutz :D

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  5. I absolutely LOVE your blog!

    Thanks for the morning laughs!

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  6. Love your graphics. Thanks for the laugh :)

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  7. Loving your graphics, omg hahaha! And i've cleaned a different treadmill before, I played it off as just trying to be nice lol!

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    1. Ahhh, good strategy! I just tried to pretend I didn't know I'd cleaned the wrong one :)

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  8. Your pictures make me laugh!! I so relate; it's been almost impossible to run outside since about late-November because it's been so windy, icy and dark out! I've had to do many dreadmill runs :( I can't wait for spring!

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    1. Thanks! Yes, running outside is so much better!

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  9. Pretty great. This post? Pretty, pretty great. I loved the drawings of you in winter gear and the headwinds. I can't run on a treadmill. There's some sort of psychological break for me. But did you clean the correct machine after realizing your mistake or just slink out never to be seen again, thus spawning the myth of the runner who is machine dyslexic?

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    1. Thanks so much Pickle! Oh, I totally slinked (slunk?) out. I'm afraid to go back.

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  10. That is so funny! I have almost done that so many times, especially with the bike. I try to leave something of mine on the equipment while I get the spray so I don't forget:) Otherwise I would surely do the same thing:) Hating the cold/wind/rain around here, UGH!

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    1. Good idea!! Yeah, it's hard to go out these days in this weather isn't it?

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  11. BAHAHA!! Amazing. I love this story. Also, I love how you call it a dreadmill. Fitting!

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    1. Thanks Jennie! It is definitely the "dreadmill".

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  12. Love this... i run 100% outside. I can't do the treadmill. The wind is just an added challenge, I guess.

    Love the drawings.

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    1. Thanks :) I think the wind plus the rain plus the dark have all conspired to keep me indoors.

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  13. hahahaha, the headwind picture is officially my new favourite!
    And at least you made an attempt to wipe down a machine even if it didn't turn out to be yours... It's more than a lot of gym-goers manage :)

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  14. But it makes for such good reading! You and your treadmill made me laugh, so that's something, right?

    Once, I tried mountain bike riding, and I put myself in the intermediate group. I CRIED the whole way down, I was that scared. Turns out the elite rider pulling up the tail of my group (so, just me - I was that far behind) knew me from twitter. I went home mortified, only to find he'd added me on facebook. I will never, ever be able to forget wearing his gloves and trying not to get snot on them as I wiped away my tears.

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    1. That *is* something :) I think I remember you writing about that mountain biking experience. You were awfully brave to even try! I would have walked (or dragged) my bike down the hill.

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  15. That is so hilarious! And I love the "Dreadmill."

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  16. Love the picture of the "headwind", that's hilarious!
    I have a feeling that anything I would attempt in public that has to do with fitness would be extremely embarrassing to me...
    Which is why I have an elliptical in my basement ;)

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    1. Thanks Kerstin! That is a great idea--wish I had a basement :)

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  17. I love your pictures. Every time I think to attempt running what usually happens is I start wheezing, then sweating. And then my bladder says no frigging way are you doing this without peeing your pants. So I stick to walking.

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    1. Thank you :) Your comment made me laugh...it takes a long time to train your body to stop yelling at you when you run. You have to beat it into submission.

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  18. The "Dreadmill" cracked me up, especially the cleaning part. Love that.

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    1. Thanks Jack. It is dreadful; and that was so embarrassing.

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  19. This made me laugh so hard. Totally something I would do. The most embarrassing thing I've done at the gym is accidentally punch myself in the face during a cardio kickboxing class and give myself a fat lip. I tried to play it off like I didn't actually make contact, but it really hurt. At least I know my punch has some strength behind it.

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    1. That is awesome--I laugh because I could see myself doing that too!!

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  20. Am crying with laughter at this post!! Between the pictures and the story at the end, this is awesome!

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  21. Ha ha, so funny! I'm just imagining being at the gym and seeing someone wipe down the treadmill next to their, but leave theirs just sitting there all sweaty.

    I am trying, trying! to run again. I'm hoping now that Christmas is over I'll have more energy to do it!

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    1. Just come to my gym and you can see it in person next time. I'm trying to get more consistent again, especially with some time off.

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  22. You crack me up every time. I love your illustrations. The dreadmill -- perfect. We're trying to get rid of ours because it's so old and used, you can't run on it --- and who am I kidding? I admire you because I am so not athletic. Merry Christmas! Thanks for the laughs.

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    1. Merry Christmas to you too Angela! Glad you enjoyed the post.

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  23. Everything here is exactly why I don't exercise. Drama, cleaning, sweat, red face, danger.

    But on balance I think you're probably the winner.

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    1. Well that probably depends on the day. Sometimes it doesn't seem worth it, but long term I think it will be.

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  24. I am reminded of my "Virtual (Bike) Reality" experience I posted on my blog last year. Not pretty. -- Allie

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  25. love the illustrations and the 'dreadmill"! so funny. i actually hate the treadmill. if i can't run outside, i won't run. i'm prone to tripping over my own feet or getting distracted and almost falling off. not worth it. 8 1/2.. sounds like you got your running mojo back.

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    1. I avoided the treadmill for a very long time, but these days I am finding they serve a purpose since I want to run! Yes, I was pretty excited about the pace!

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  26. Too funny! I love how you illustrated all of the layers you were wearing outside! And I totally wiped out in a tap dance class I was teaching. I was showing my students the wrong way and said, "If you do it like that, you'll fall." And then I did.

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    1. Oh that is horrible! I guess at least you were very clear about what not to do!

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  27. Oh man! I am impressed with anyone who runs regularly. And yes, I am certain I have done something equally ridiculous, but I have buried it too deeply to recall at this time :)

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    1. I know I have lots of things I've done buried as well...this one just happened to be fresh :)

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  28. I hate, hate, hate running inside on a treadmill. When I first started running I used to do it because I was afraid to run in the early morning darkness, but after a few months of spills, crashes, and gym faux-pas, I forced myself to learn to run outside, and I haven't been back to the gym since. Good luck with your training, winter running is the best!

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    1. I first started on the treadmill too but much prefer the outdoors. However, I am finding speedwork easier on a treadmill since it is so hilly outside. But, with the days getting longer again, I'm looking forward to more outdoor runs!

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  29. treadmill. It was my first time to use it and I was so excited, when I stepped on it I pressed the wrong button, it went to fast that I was like running for my life!

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    1. Yikes! I often worry that I will take the wrong step and fall flat :)

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