This week was tough. Physically and mentally due to the unusual amount of treadmill running that was involved. Not ideal, but you make it work. They are even calling for some more snow this coming week, but I am seceretly hoping it stays away.

I want snow to either be able to get me out of a day at work or don’t bother coming. I’d rather run outside than be stuck inside!

 

Here is a run down of my treadmill running week:

Monday

I was off work Monday so I decided to get a workout in. We went to the gym after I got up and it was at least nice not to be on my home treadmill for a change.

I decided to bring back an old marathon training favorite. 2 mile repeats.

Here was a breakdown:

1.5 mile warm up
2 x 2 mile repeats (7:30) – 1/2 the amount of recovery, so 7:30
1 mile at 7:30
2 x 400 meters with full recovery
Cool down

The idea was to do 3 x 2 mile repeats but I wasn’t quite ready for that on Monday, so that is how this workout came to be.

 

Tuesday

I knew when I went to bed Monday night I would be on the treadmill Tuesday morning. Fortunately, my work did give us a 2 hour delay so my 6:00 am wake up call versus 4:00 am was much appreciated!

I went in with a good mindset to just get it done.

I started off at a 9:30 pace and slowly worked my way down ending around an 8:40 for a total of 8 miles. I didn’t really have a set progression I just sped it up as I felt like it.

It actually didn’t go as bad as I had been thinking it would. A blessing for sure!

 

Wednesday

I was so busy between work and my work at home that I completely forgot to plan out a workout on Tuesday like I normally do. Plus, I think since my workout days changed it messed me up.

Tuesday night while laying in bed I realized I needed to come up with something pretty quickly.

My husband had been reading our most recent edition of Running Times and saw this workout listed in it. I figured since I didn’t have anything planned it would be the perfect opportunity to give it a try!

Warm Up
2 x 1000 meters (2:30 recovery)
2 x 400 meters (90 second recovery)
5 minute recovery
10 minutes at threshold pace
5 minute recovery
600 m, 400 m, 300 m, 200 m (90, 90, 60 recovery respectively)
Cool down

In total it was just over 9 miles. The thing that I loved most about this workout was that it kept changing and the time flew by! When you are stuck inside a day that goes by quickly is a blessing!

This is a really great workout and another reason I am so glad I get my Running Times!

 

Thursday

It was a really good thing I had such a great workout on Wednesday because by Thurdsay I was mentally checked out.

I did the same 8 miles I did on Tuesday the exact same way. I find easy running outside so enjoyable but on the treadmill I just want the time to pass quicker so I always end up speeding it up.

This wasn’t a fun run, but I got it done and was thankful for my Friday rest day!

 

Friday

Off

 

Saturday

I had high hopes for Saturday. I figured one day this weekend I’d be able to run outside and the other I’d probably be still stick on a treadmill.  When I woke up that morning, I knew this would be a treadmill day.

I’d be lying if I said I was excited. In fact, I probably spent the first 30-45 minutes of my morning sulking that I had to go to the gym and run on the treadmill. Then I shook myself out of it and made it happen.

I decided the easiest thing to do was to do a progressive run. I started out around a 9:30 and slowly worked my way down to a 7:30 for the last half mile.

The treadmills at our gym cut off at 99 minutes, and even though my goal was to run 12 I cut it at 11.35 miles when the treadmill cut me off. I finished the last half mile around the small indoor track.

It wasn’t the best run but I got it done!

 

Sunday

The original forecast called for rain all day but as of Saturday it changed to just fog. I will take fog any day!

I think the roads are good enough now that I should be able to get a good 8 miles in. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

This was the week I had originally hoped for, but I am always reminded just how much of a blessing it is that I am healthy and able to run. Treadmill running will always trump not being able to run any day of the week!

 

How did your running go this week?

Anyone else stuck inside?