Weaning myself off of the treadmill...

It is no secret that I don’t like winter. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve been worse about it.
Of course, there are the usual reasons:
1. Snow/ice
2. I don’t like being cold
3. Foggy glasses (not a problem when I am walking)
4. Putting ond taking off tons of gear
5. Mountains of sweaty gear

But, the treadmill is so easy.
Also, well, when it is cold my first mile or so (10 minutes or so) feels horrible; I feel as if I have sludge instead of blood. The body doesn’t want to work and first mile feels as if it takes 12 minutes or so, even when the stopwatch shows far less time. I start to feel better but I don’t feel “right” until 25 minutes or so into the run.

Anyway I forced myself outside; the streets were fine (just a few tiny, spotty patches of ice) and it wan’t that cold (just under freezing). The 5 mile (5.1 really) out and back course took me 50:46 (25:05 for the downhill out part) and I walked 3 more in the neighborhood afterward.

I just get so mentally lazy when I’ve been on the treadmill too much.
I’ll still use it some; it is easy on my knees, feet and other joints, but I have to get out on the roads since that is where I race.

Yes, I know; the 2000 Olympic trails women’s marathon winner trained exclusively on the treadmill (in Alaska) but I think that when I am on the treadmill my body tries to “game the system” by letting the treadmill do the work.

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