A dear friend of mine gave me a treadmill yesterday. They were downsizing their home and were planning to trash the thing since the handles are held together with duct tape. BUT!! The computer works, the treadmilling part works so I was more than happy to take it off of her hands!
So, three full minutes into my first run yesterday I got bored. Again today, I got on the treadmill and this time took the advise of another dear friend and put on a TV show. Not just any show, either. I put The Biggest Loser on the TV and it really did make a big difference. The combo of Jillian Michaels screaming and watching people fatter than me sweating was a lovely motivator! Still, the treadmill is going to take some getting used to for many reasons:
1) I have to push buttons to change my pace. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
2) I have to keep a straight course. This was a quick lesson learned through almost shooting off the back of the thing.
3) I do not think the pace is accurate, unless there is some voodoo magic related to feeling like you're running waaaay faster when you run in place. Which is possible... Who am I to question magic?
4) The scenery doesn't change. This may be an obvious observation, but when you're used to "adventure runs" this makes a big difference.
Okay so that list was all cons. And don't get me wrong - I am so grateful to this friend for passing her treadmill on to me. I was mere days away from quitting running altogether until better weather because my joints just can not take this cold!! So I don't want to just rant... This is a good transition; because however non-entertaining running in place is - gaining weight is even worse! BOY but I can't wait for better weather. I'm holding out for 40 degrees. Also, it's pretty nice to be able to wear some workout clothes that I otherwise would never wear outside my home. That's a big plus!
In other completely unrelated news, I'd like to pass on a couple of product reviews!!
#1: Skinny Coffee by Genesis Today (purchased at Walmart).
-Low calorie and high nasty. Don't do it. It's so gross. Both flavors are THAT BAD.
#2 New Balance GPS Runner (with heart rate monitor):
-This is a nice gadget, although you can't upload your info on to a computer, it is a self-contained kinda unit. Wears like a bulky watch. The heart rate monitor is to be strapped around your chest. I choose not to use the heart rate monitor. I really don't care about that and if I need it, I'll stop and take my pulse. I'm all nursey like that. Keeps track of calories burned, heart rate, km's ran, and other functions that I still can not work. It's nice... maybe too nice for me; I feel like maybe I'll never figure out how to work the thing completely, and if you wear the "watch" on the inside of your wrist when you run, you're likely to be pushing buttons when you swing your arm. I have, anyway.
#3: Vinegar:
-Yeah! Vinegar!! Sean was working in a potato-processing plant (mainenence on the processing equipment) and came home covered in grease and smelling like old fries. I washed his work clothes first with about a 1/2 cup (I eyeballed it) vinegar and then washed them again with detergent. It helped a ton. Also, the cats in this house pee on stuff in the winter (I know - sometimes I daydream about them playing in traffic...) and I've used the same method to wash that stuff and it works like a charm. Remember to wash your fabric a second time with detergent because vinegar stinks. :D
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