I am very good at doing things routinely. It is a part of my nature. I am slowly learning that doing things a little differently from the way I might usually do them, or want to do them, can only enhance your character… heck, enhance life!
Today I took a different approach with the dreadmill. After a much-need rest day yesterday, I was amped to crank out a tempo treadmill run before taking an evening weeknight yoga class [also out of the ordinary!].
When it comes to the ‘mill, I am accustomed to changing my speed up or down based on time. Rather than watching the clock today, I decided to use distance as my indicator of when to increase/decrease my speed. I planned out my run in my head beforehand and it worked out quite nicely:
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1 mile @ 7.2mph – 8:20 pace*
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1 mile @ 7.6mph – 7:54 pace
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1 mile @ 8.0mph – 7:30 pace
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1 mile @ 7.6mph – 7:54 pace
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1 mile @ 7.4mph – 8:06 pace
FYI: Here is a handy dandy treadmill pace calculator for when the treadmill cuts you off at 30 minutes and you can’t do 6th grade math in your head.
*According to Hillrunner.com [fancy that!], “because of lack of wind resistance while running on a treadmill, the effort of running on a treadmill at 0% incline is less than that of running on a level road at the same pace.” – guess you’re not as speedy as you think =/
Switching up an old habit is refreshing. I was a sweaty mess afterwards and definitely warmed-up for a 60-minute – blissful – yoga class.
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You may have noticed that NN on the Run is running [pun intended] a little differently as of late – the daily food photos are far and few, while words about exercise and life are in the foreground. I knew I had a fitting blog name when I formulated Nutrition Nut on the Run. I love food, I am still [and always will] eating abnormally nutritious school snacks, and I adore looking at food photography. That said, I am also a college girl trying to balance a full academic load, an internship, a social life, and a peaceful life… all the while running mile after mile. Food photography and recipes are sure to return, but in lieu of my typical Type A personality, I’m going to do something different and not schedule their reappearance.
somebody stop me!
ginger chip banana bread.
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Running Tuesday: Superwoman Series
Pre-Half Marathon Training
Good for you, girl! I am SUCH a Type A personality too, but lately I’ve been trying to switch up my lunches and snacks in lieu of more exciting ones, and trying out new machines at the gym on my cross-training days. Don’t worry girl, I’m in the same sitch with my bloggity blog! There are only so many fun and fresh recipes a girl can make as a student! xoxo
I am going to try this tonight. Question – do you run on an incline on the treadmill?
Yes, sometimes I run on an incline (and usually make note when I do). I don’t usually go any steeper than 1.5% running on the ‘mill, but I’ll occasionally crank it up if I’m walking. However… I run flat most of time because I don’t need my bootay to get any bigger ;)
I’ve always been an athlete, so my go-to work out was practice. Since that’s been over, I’ve been looking for other ways to get a killer workout in. I bought a yoga groupon and have been going 2-3x per week, and although yoga isn’t really my “thing”, I can really tell that the strength in my shoulders has gone up like crazy.
And I just joined New York Sports Club! I’ve never ever been a class goer, but I’m super excited for all the classes there. The way I look at it, you can “quit” during a class, you more less have to be in there, so you might as well work hard!
For some reason, I always feel slower on the treadmill. I haven’t been running as much this winter, but I tried spinning for the first time a few weeks ago. I love it, and it’s such a different workout from running, but it still gets me sweating!
Spinning is such a great workout! I’m looking forward to my Friday class tomorrow :)
The treadmill definitely feels slower to me. A low 9 pace seems so difficult on the ‘mill but comes easy on the road. I can’t wait for this snow to melt so I can get out there!
Sounds like you’ve got a lot on your plate. Very impressive that you can juggle it all! I definitely don’t miss that aspect of college life. :)
I’m totally a creature of habit too! And sometimes breaking the routine feels so good.
I don’t know why, but I tend to do the exact opposite on the treadmill – I run slower! Maybe it’s because I’m bored?
I like your new approach to your blog! There are many “daily meals” blogs out there, but I come back to yours for your voice and extra tidbits of info.
I do my speedwork on the treadmill…I prefer it it to the track.
Great treaddy workout!! I have been uber conscious of the incline and have it at least at 1%.
Way to go out of your comfort zone!!
I’m tired even reading that treadmill workout! I ran at 8.0 for a minute once and felt like I was going so fast I was going to fly off!
I’m bummed to hear that 0% incline is not realistic… guess I’ll have to change it up and add some incline – thanks for the tip!
Wow, that is an intense tempo run! I usually run on the the treadmill because it’s wayyy too icy and snowy to run outside, but it definitely gets REALLY boring at times!
thats a tasty treadmill run right there.
i tried to make rice differently… with teriyaki sauce instead of water. what was i thinking?! did not work. it was like eating rice rocks.
This totally made me laugh :)
Great post! I love that you are taking time for YOU in such a busy schedule. And I totally got cutoff at 30 minutes on the treadmill yesterday. I was jamin’ out and then jolted to a stop. Not pleasant. Have a great yoga class!
I’m so glad you’re doing what’s best for you and working with not only your schedule but with your current interests, passions, etc. Something I did new recently was change the layout of my blog a bit ( http://asideofsimple.wordpress.com/2011/02/04/a-new-look/ )
It was hard because I know it’s not the “end” result I want, but it works for me right now!