My gym routine has been simplified down now such that my one constant is running on the treadmill most days, generally for between 30 and 40 minutes (including warm-up/cool-down) and then a bit of stretching and some weights or whatever strikes my fancy. For the last few days I’ve just not had the urge at all to run, and its been completely unenjoyable to me. I mean, its generally not the most exciting way to spend one’s time, but I can sort of zone out, think about things, listen to music, and the like. Lately it just hasn’t been working for me, so yesterday I took a day off from the gym and today I went back, and while I ran for a little while and worked up a sweat, I still didn’t feel very good afterwards.
The other difficult thing abou running as opposed to the elliptical machine or the reclining bike (neither of which give me near as good of a workout) is that I can’t really do it while watching TV or listening to audiobooks. The former isn’t terrible because I don’t much like watching network TV on their schedule with their commercials anyway (I wish the machines had DVD players!), but the latter is sort of sad, because I was having fun listening to audiobooks at the gym. I also can’t listen to any kind of music, it has to be something with the right kind of beat and to sort of match my mood and to be somewhat gripping, meaning either I haven’t heard it a hundred times or it is a showtune and I can sort of get engaged in the story. A tall order, my music tastes are, because my existing selections are getting stale.
Which brings me back to the problem I’m having, that I’m not energized to run, I’m not feeling good about running, and I’m just not doing as well running. Up until this point I think running has worked pretty well for me. Here are a few of the proposals I have come up with for change:
# *Try a different time of day.* — I might do better in the mornings. This would tie in with a desire I think I’m having to re-normalize my sleep schedule before it gets completely out of whack again. I’d love to start waking up earlier, and this is the right time to make it happen since I don’t have many other scheduled commitments to worry about. But when I’ve run in the mornings before I’ve had a problem with waking up enough to not, ya know, fall off. I’m not really a morning person.
# *Try running outdoors.* — Cambridge is a neat place, and while I find it a little weird to be running on sidewalks and stopping to cross intersections and the like, this would probably make the experience a lot more variable and perhaps bring back some of the excitement. Doing it with my big iPod to carry is another story…and I’m really not in the mood to go buy a Shuffle at the moment.
# *Switch my routine.* — Like I said, I think running works. It drains a lot of energy, and when I was doing it before it left me feeling fulfilled and energized afterwards. But maybe I can find something else I like just as much. Reclining bike isn’t terrible, and I can do it while listening to audiobooks or even, god forbid, watching TV.
This is where you come in. Let’s make this blog interactive. 🙂 Any comments on what I’ve said, or other suggestions? I know I have a few readers who do quite a bit of running in various capacities, perhaps they have some tips. (I’m looking at you, marathon girl. ;))
Okay, so since you want comments, here goes nothing:
1) Maybe try running with an audiobook of a work that is A)comedic and B)composed of short stories. Something like David Sedaris or Dave Barry perhaps? That way you don’t have to totally be involved in some complex story with too many characters.
2) To test out different audiobooks, why no join the library. They have tons of them and even have new ones.
3) You could try taking up some sort of exercise that is group based. Having other people around sometimes boosts your own moral. Join a running club (I swear I am not making these up), take a male aerobics class, or get a gym buddy. Having someone there motivates you, makes it more social, and provides moral support.
4) For the ipod, I know a lot of people who run with their “big” ipod. They have those armband holders, waist clips, or neck pouches.
5) If you belong to a gym, most places include some sort of consultation with a trainer. Mostly so you don’t screw up on their machines and then break the machine and/or you. He or She might be able to help you with pacing and such. Or even easier, check out a book from the library on running. I don’t quite see the appeal to these books but aparently some people read then for fun. 🙂
Hey dude! I think I got a shout-out! Marathon girl is SO the name of my first album.
Anyway, ask, the you shall receive a lengthy running comment:
As I was reading your post, a couple of things came to mind. So I’ve always been resistant to things like super-special running ‘gear,’ but after a really terrible run way back, a kind person actually explained to me that ‘gear’ is important. I’m not saying go out and get hundreds of dollars worth of running stuff, but here are some things that might be making your run bad:
– the wrong kind of sneaker
– the wrong kind of socks (seriously!)
– cotton shirt/shorts [this one is important — in the summer, even if you are inside, everything gets more humid, warmer, and cotton is the absolute worst thing to wear when running]
Another thing — if you are feeling unenergized, you might not be getting enough water/Gatorade. If you are doing a 40 min workout w/ (i’m guessing) about an 8 min warmup, you are probably doing about 3 -3.5 miles, so just drink before and after.
Also, you can alternate the distances you run. So, for example, one day you can run 3 miles, another day 4 and another day 5, and so on. If you alternate hard and easy days, it makes running easier and its better training. Then, on a weekend, you can try to find a park and run a longer run there. If you alternate, it breaks up the monotony, and it gives you different perspective on your days.
Finally, if you want to keep running, sign up for an event (like a race). There are tons of them around New England in the summer. That way, you won’t be running ‘aimlessly’ and you’ll be training. And, there is always Disney 🙂
In general, to maximize effectiveness and to minimize body adaptation, you should change the type of cardio you do every 3 weeks.
If the eliptical machine isn’t giving you enough of a workout, you’re probably using it wrong. Do you bounce up and down when you use it? When using the eliptical machine you shouldn’t bounce at all, and you’re head should be at about the same level the whole time. This forces you not to use your weight to push it down and instead use your legs.
If that doesn’t work, the climber is also an alternative type of cardio that should be worse than running. A stairmaster is usually pretty bad as well.
Like I said, you should have at least 3 types of cardio that you switch between every 3 weeks. Try that, and you should feel more gain.