Today I was forced to run on the treadmill due to the snow. Since I was already at the pool where I was planning to do my swim and then a deep water run to make up for the run since the roads are covered in the fluffy white stuff. I had the right frame of mind at 5:30 am to pack shorts and a T just incase no one showed up to open the pool. I arrived at 5:50, waited around until 6:15, and no one showed up. Well, there we have it, a 71 minute Z1 run needed to get done since I had to be in the office by 8. Treadmills. Dreadmills. They are the epitome of evil. See the definition of evil . It causes me discomfort and repulsion. Therefore it is evil. Here's a list of other reasons why a treadmill is evil:
1. You have to turn it on. When we run outside, what's there to turn on? Nothing.
2. Fitness gains are nonexistent, in fact, I wouldn't be surprised if we lose fitness on a treadmill. Think about it, what work are you actually doing? The belt just moves your feet for you. (I should note, I have no scientific evidence to prove or disprove loss of fitness, it's just how I feel).
3. You can't spit or snot rocket anywhere. When outside, I'm free to do this whenever and wherever I want. Which is always often.
4. TV's and music. I get enough TV and music while on the trainer. Heck, this morning I couldn't even figure out how to turn off the TV.
5. Other people. Let's be honest here. I like people, but I don't like people enough to run next to them for 71 minutes while they are singing to themselves, talking on their phones, texting, being smelly - this is the worst. At least while running outside, if you come across something stinky, you just keep running on by it. On a treadmill, you're literally stuck in place. This morning I had to run next to a guy for part of my run who was doing what looked like hill bounding. On a treadmill. Really?
6. Sights. There's nothing to look at. Outside we get the trees, animals, cars, people (again, not stuck next to someone for 71 minutes)
7. Last time I ran on a treadmill I hurt my back for two weeks. Enough said.
8. What if the treadmill breaks? Or the building loses power? You don't need electricity outside.
9. Boring.
10. Sounds. The sounds of outside are much better than someone else's iPod listening to something horrible (think country music, horrible).
11. If you're talking on your phone or texting while on the treadmill, you're not working out. You can't do that outside, you have to pay attention to your surroundings, which then forces you to enjoy the great outdoors.
12. The hours. If you only run on a treadmill, you're forced to run on one whenever the gym is open. If you run outside, you can go whenever you want. Freedom.
13. Sweat. Of course you sweat outside and I love a good sweat. However, when running inside, you can't cool down, so you shower and come out still sweating. Gross.
14. Time. At most, if not all gyms, you're limited to 30-60 minutes of use on a cardio machine. Well, that's a real bummer if your run is scheduled to be longer than that. Also, on today's treadmill, it only runs for 60 minutes. So, after 60 minutes it stopped. I had to shut it off then turn it back on to do the remaining 11 minutes I had. If outside, you can just keep going.
15. The course. Completely nonexistent while on a treadmill. While outside, you can always exlpore and discover new routes to run. Where you actually have to turn. GASP! You mean you don't have to run only straight and in place?
16. You go nowhere. I get enough of this on the trainer. I get hours and hours of sitting and cycling in place. Even when the weather is nicer, I don't do BST'S, tabatas and recovery rides outside. In fact, I usually on do my Saturday long rides outside. There's no reason to add to this whole moving nowhere with running on a treadmill.
17. Boring.
I could probably list a bunch more, but the thought of typing that word one more time makes me nauseous. So get outside, enjoy the fresh air and this great world we live in!
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