Asics Test Run

I walked around the office in my new Asics shoes today to test them out.

Asics

Just walking around, they seem okay. There’s a lot of cushion in the heel area, so that’s good. Since they are new and I haven’t worn them at all, they feel pretty stiff.

My goal was to work out in the gym in my office today and test out my new shoes. Just in case I need to return them, I don’t want to wear the shoes outside.  I ate an orange and drank some water before heading to the gym.

Snack

I used to use the gym at work a lot. I stopped using it when I began running outside.

I’ve Come A Long Way

When I first started running, it was 100% on the gym treadmill. I went to a small community gym/pool near my apartment and they didn’t have a lot of machines. I did the elliptical mostly but I found it got crowded and I didn’t want to wait for machines. I started using the treadmill and got a lot better at it.

But once I started running outside last year…I never stepped on a treadmill again (that I remember). I just can’t do it. Now that I’ve been an outside runner only, I just can’t bring myself to get back on the treadmill.

Today I started running on the treadmill at the speed I remember using.

It was surprisingly slow.

I amped up the speed until I felt comfortable, paying attention to my Heart Rate Monitor, and tried to figure out how to recreate my usual lunchtime run outside.

I quickly realized how far I’d come from the old days of running on the treadmill. I ran the 3.05 miles without walking or stopping (I used to walk on the treadmill every 1/2 mile or so).

And I quickly realized that I hate the treadmill.

During the first 5 minutes of my run I was bored. My thought was “This is going to be a wasted workout!” I felt frustrated and annoyed. I ran on the treadmill though, paying attention to my new shoes. I didn’t notice anything glaringly obvious so I guess they are okay!

I ran 3.05 miles on the treadmill in 34:21 minutes. After the treadmill, I did some weights:

And some upper body work. Then I did traveling lunges with this 12 pound bar:

I also did some ab work with the ball and finished with LOTS of stretching! Including some yoga (Downward Dog).

I gauge a work out on three things:

1. How much I sweat.

2. How many calories I burn.

3. How my body feels doing it.

While I originally thought “This is going to be a wasted workout”, it turned out to be pretty good! I definitely worked up a good sweat. I burned more calories than I was expecting.

Sweating and Stretching

Today’s Stats:

Distance: 3.05 miles

Calories Burned: 449

Time: 35 ish on the treadmill, 15 doing weights, etc.

QUESTION: Do you run on a treadmill or outside? Which do you prefer?