Treadmill running is not always easy. In fact it can be plain mind numbing at times and it is much harder at least from the mental aspect. It is so easy to just throw in the towel and give up when the going gets tough when you are running in place. Sometimes, just sometimes, you need to shake things up.This is not something new to me as in my over 6 years of running every single day, many of those runs have been on a treadmill. I have also shared many treadmill workouts over the years but recently I have been in a slump even if I did not fully realize it. If you are interested in treadmill workouts, just search this blog for treadmill workouts. 😊
My pace has been slowing on and off of the treadmill for a long time. It could be age. It could be hormones. It could be other factors that I am not always aware of for example, what I am listening to while I run. Most of my runs have been doubling up with time with God, which I do not regret one single bit. The treadmill is my battlefield for physical and spiritual health...and in all reality, for emotional health too.
My runs both on and off of the treadmill have coincided with saying the rosary, listening to Relevant Radio, listening to Hello & Welcome!, or reading the daily readings. All things that soothe my soul but could be leading to slower paces even though I have tried to keep pushing myself. But I was flopping.
Without even realizing what I needed God answered my prayers. I was on the edge with Audible thinking I was not listening enough to keep the subscription going. Hang in there. This is related. Then about two weeks ago I got an email from Audible. I could try out some exclusive Aaptiv workouts on Audible for FREE! Who could pass that up? Not me!
And I have been busting out one new running workout each day as I only have this option until September 5 but am praying it then becomes something I can buy through Audible. And if I can use my credits...win-win!!! I really don't need or want another subscription even though I am loving the Aaptiv workouts.
The 5K training workout I am sampling is geared for running outside but hey, I am running it on the treadmill. I feel that has some advantages as I am more able to easily hit and hold target paces and not inadvertently slow. Are the workouts worth it? YES!
I am training harder and the time is flying by with each workout...even the tough ones like today's that led to me screaming out loud "ENOUGH!" and wheezing at the end. Ten 1-minute sprints at a 7'30" pace is hard work for a gal who has been training pretty darn close to 11'00" minute miles. And with these workouts, I have been at or below 10'00" miles overall. I am then doing a second additional run for my rosary and prayer at the slower paces I have been training at recently. It makes sense to me to not overdue it but I have added a twist. A vast majority of my rosary runs now include some hill work. I'll go more into that another day.
Why am I pushing myself?
Because I want to ensure I am at the top of my physical health. I want to keep my heart fitness score up in the great range and would love to see if my resting heart rate will come down a bit....and losing a few extra pounds won't hurt. Just being honest. Ladies, things do really change in your 40's. Denial is over. Acceptance is imperative. I could even say resistance is futile. But that doesn't mean I need to back down, give up, and not try.
I understand things are changing and that is natural and I am working with it. I am sticking to running and working to do speed work even if it is killer hard. I am also cross training and adding in more weight training. Ladies, it is good for your bone health. Do it. You won't bulk up. And it won't hurt to ensure we are all getting enough Vitamin D and calcium. With that said, I just may ask my doctor to do a Vitamin D test at my next physical....along with other parameters to ensure I am nourishing my body as well as I am working it.
Daily Gratitude: I am beyond thankful for technology that brings great workouts into my home....and for having a home gym even if it is in our living room.
Daily Bible Verse: If anyone destroys God's temple, God will destroy him. For God's temple is holy, and you are that temple. ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31
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