"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, Who is in you, Whom you have received from God? ... So use every part of your body to give glory back to God..." 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Pros and Cons

  "There is not a more pleasing exercise of the mind than gratitude.  It is accompanied with such an inward satisfaction that the duty is sufficiently rewarded by the performance."  ~Joseph Addison

Winter in Michigan this year is great for skiing not so much for running.
For me I prefer training for fall marathons over Spring.
I have a harder time running in sleet, snow and frigid temperatures than heat and rain.

I got a message this morning from "Molina" who is training for the Princess Half Marathon AND 5K:
"Question- where do you even DO a long run in weather like this? I am scared to run on snow/ice and the gym track is 1/10th mile which means 100 laps. Ouch! I'm annoyed!"

My Answer TODAY was TREADMILL/GYM. 

Last week I actually broke my run up. I did 2/3 of my run on the treadmill and then when that got totally boring I quickly headed to the track to finish the 13 miler. Running more than 8 miles alone on the track is sooo cumbersome. I get confused going around and around and lose track of my counting. I have to invest in a new watch that logs splits.
However most of us runners are die hard element runners too.

So here are my PRO's on Running Indoors In the Winter:
  • Less layers..More aerodynamic! 
  • Can maintain speed drills, repeats and tempo training runs with precision.
  • You do not have to be weighed down by a hydration belt (Water fits well on TM)
  • You can watch a movie, flip through a magazine and run
  • You can place your chomps, gum and whatever you like to run with on TM.
  • You have plenty of running partners if you are on a TM at a gym..They might not know it though!
CON's of Running Indoors:
  • It is more difficult to have your running partner with you
  • Some TM's at the gym have a time limit
  • Like "Molina" you could  end up going around a indoor track about 100 TIMES!
PRO's for Running Outside in the Winter:
  • There is nothing like fresh air
  • You can pick your route and run where you want
  • Running outside trains your body better with elevations changes, weather changes, and road conditions differing.
CON's for Running Outside in the Winter:
  • The elements can cause injury: ice, sleet, and snow
  • Decrease visibility 
  • Risk of Hypothermia, if not dressed appropriately
RUNDOWN:
Distance: 15 miles
Pace: 8:24
Time : 2:06
I stayed on the TM for this run. The boys went with me. They went swimming and played ball. 
My TREADMILL:
I love the TV attached to the TM. 
I used the holders for my chomps, lip gloss, New Runners World magazine,tissue and water. This was very convenient for a long run to not have to carry these on my run.
I considered running part of this run on the track but I got sucked into a marathon of Walking Dead on AMC. 
My family are counting down to next Sunday when the new season begins. 
I wanted to do the cold plunge on my knees and take a shower but Austin came over and did not look well. Sympathetic for his anxiousness to get home I grabbed my bag and bolted.

I am beat up. My body is feeling today's run. I am sore and tired. But not the tired you can sleep. I have had a hard time sleeping the past few nights. This morning I was up at 6am.  All I could think about was Ariel. Everything went back to her. After church I decided to try and take a nap before my run but only fell asleep for about 15 minutes. I woke up to Austin snoring and more thoughts of Ariel.

I am Grateful though. I am Grateful for strong legs and a strong heart. I am Grateful for a heart that God fuels. I am thankful for the strength GOD has supplied me with. The Strength that gets me through physically, mentally and emotionally. I am Grateful for every thought, every drop of sweat, every step planted forward. I am Grateful. 
I am Grateful for 15 minute naps sadness and hurting knees after a 15 mile run.
I am Grateful. Are you?
What Are YOU Grateful for today??
 Please take a minute, think about it and share it with me. 

If you want to turn your life around, try thankfulness.  It will change your life mightily.  ~Gerald Good
Anita





4 comments:

  1. Anita, I am Sue. I used to work with Andy and I finally started running this past summer faithfully every one of my days off(4 days a week) I also changed mine --and my families eating habits, lol. So needless to say, I lost 30 pounds and feel amazing! But I have a problem, the cold and I don't get along well at all. So I started running on my treadmill (ughhh). But after about 2 miles....BAM!!!! IT band-- excruciating pain!!! I have asked Andy for advice and he gave me some stretches to do, I even bought a foam roller. I am so frustrated, I was on such a high and now I feel like its all been ripped away. I am going to try out my husbands Under Armour and go outside in the morning-- my usual route, see what happens. I really need advice and encouragement. I didn't know which blog to put this on, so I just chose one. Anita I get a lot of encouragement from your blogs...I am not intending to be a marathon runner, just staying healthy. I also want to say that I am so sorry for the loss of your niece. We have very different faiths but loss is never easy. Take care, have a good night, and please don't tell Andy about this...lol.

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    1. Hi Sue, so sorry about my late response. My schedule has been tight the last couple days.
      The IT Band. The biggest Nuisance when it comes to injuries.

      My It started acting up 10 BEFORE I was schedules to run Boston in 2011.

      When it started hurting me I thought it was my knee. I had been running on the Treadmill and my knee was hurting. At first it was come and go but then it never went away.

      At the time I had just finished the book "Born ti RUN" and thought I might need to be a BAREFOOT runner! That was where not only had my It Band been injured but my BRAINS had fallen out!

      After a 9 mile run turned into walk home and a tear fest on N Holly Road I quickly called the "RUN GURU".
      Clint Veran.
      He is a very accomplished runner and Physical Therapist.

      The best thing I could have done and just in the nick of time.
      I use my TRIGGER POINT roller, ice and still do stretched he taught me.
      He Did Electroshock therapy on my band and a lot of massage on it.
      It worked. He is incredible. I not only was able to run DURING
      Therapy...When it came to BOSTON...I PR-ED!

      Thank you Sue for you kind words. Loss is never easy. I have had a terrible time and try not to write as much about it. Even though it saturates my mind and my heart I Know we are all just on loan to one another.

      I have several post on my ITband in February 2011 that may be helpful.
      Let me know how your run was, You CAN get through this!!

      ANITA

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  2. MY KEYS ARE MESSING UP ON THE COMPUTER..SORRY ABOUT ALL THE ERRORS!

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