I just recently had a conversation with a friend who was pushing me to join a gym. I think he was at least partly doing it so that it would keep him motivated and probably keep him company. And you know what? I just couldn't do it.
Around February of 2007, I made my last run on the treadmill and started running outside. At the time, I was preparing for the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia (May of 2007). I hadn't done any outside running and didn't really like the idea of running outside. I resisted it at first but then the outdoors just took over.
Now I'm hardly an outdoors guy. My idea of roughing it is going to a hotel without HBO. My theory on camping is that most people don't know that it's voluntary. You won't catch me out in a tent in any weather no matter how beautiful the scenery.
That said, I just can't get myself to go to a gym and run on a treadmill and I definitely can't get myself to use an elliptical machine. The whole idea of it bores me to death.
I'm also incapable of running on a track. The last time I tried to run on a track I didn't even make it a full lap around before I was so bored and had to run somewhere else.
Now I know that I suffer from this philosophy. Winters in New Hampshire are beyond brutal and this past year's was the second worst in recorded history. That meant I was out in below 0 weather first thing in the morning or whenever I could get out. It was brutal and taxing but there was something about the idea of being outside when everyone else was indoors that made it so satisfying. I blogged about lessons learned and annoyances, so it's not all good. All in all, though, I much preferred it to being inside.
I know that I'm going to have to join a gym at some point but I'm resisting it as long as humanly possible. I haven't run indoors in more than a year and a half and I'm not looking forward to starting anytime soon.
3 comments:
I hear ya!
I live in CANADA and I chose to run outside all winter as opposed to boring myself on the treadmill. I just can't do it!
You are one hard core guy!
You know, I will run on a treadmill. It is not a problem. You just have to make it right. Believe it or not, we get snow and cold in Denver. I have cold weather gear but I don't mind not wearing to run (inside).
I do have to admit, though, that I have run inside 3 times since this Spring. Outside is a lot better for the psyche (or is it the psycho?)
I certainly prefer running outside but dangerous heat and dangerous people make it a necessity for me. I think the trick is making it work for you. I know Charlie and I both enjoy watching fun movies while treading but that's not usually possible at a gym. There I usually end up playing with the elevation and speed to mix things up and often wear an MP3 player too (the only time I'll ever do so when running).
Post a Comment