I am just like anyone else in the fact that somedays the prospect of a run on a treadmill can get me down and feeling blue. After all, how exciting can it be running in place getting no one at all? Don't we all just want to run outside?So far this week the treadmill has been trying to get the best of me. It has been trying to knock me off schedule and get me down. Well, Monday wasn't too hard. Just a mile. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. It is easy to do a mile with the wonderful idea of stretching and rolling afterwards. It is the longer runs that can bring out the blues. Like 8 miles with intervals tucked in.
That was Tuesday. Intervals. As much as I felt I didn't want to run the darn intervals and spend 8 miles on the treadmill, I knew deep down inside I really did want to run the 8 miles and have the joy of doing so before work. That is a good feeling. Mission accomplished but I did have to cut the 1 mile warm up to a 0.5 mile warm up to get to the meat of the run earlier in order to move past the blues. I was very fortunate that in the final 3 miles after all my intervals were done that good tunes kept popping up on my play list to keep me entertained. I had a blast! And to think before I started I felt blue and not into it. You see? What you feel isn't always what you really, truly feel or want.
Wednesday. Hump day. 6 miles day. I had the added push that I had a long work day and plans after work to force myself out of bed dark and early to hit the treadmill before work for 6 easy miles. Oh man, this is going to suck is how I felt. 6 easy miles in place?! Once I got on the treadmill I had to do something to get the fun factor building up....or at least quiet the boredom factor. And then the proverbial light bulb went off. I had written an entire post on Conquering Boredom on the Treadmill. I have a whole page devoted to TM Running. You would think with that much blogging focus when the blues hit me I could overcome it. I was motivated and determined to turn this trend around. Hello game play! Hello a new TM Running Workout to be introduced to the world! Okay, it probably isn't all that new. I have done it many times. I am sure you may have too but still, here it is in all its glory!
I ended up doing this workout for about 2-2.5 miles of my treadmill run and then I was fully in my happy running mode and didn't need to play along anymore. It is a great techique to get your mind off of what is bringing you down as you are focused on the songs and doing a certain pace for the duration of the song. I make it a rule that once the song as started and my pace selected, I can't change it. And I draw on my faith that the song that pops up next perfectly represents the pace I should be running at that time. You can make this as easy or as hard as you want it. For an easy run, I set my pace range within my easy range. However, if your goals are bigger and you need more intensity one day, just make the upper ranges higher and really push yourself. Most importantly, be safe and have fun!
How about today? The blues are still trying to get the best of me as I have a treadmill run at home after work waiting for me. But I will have fun....one way or another!
Daily Gratitude: I am thankful that my work computer can print again. Woo-hoo!Daily Affirmation: I am kind.
