Another week of cold, messy weather, meant another week with more time on the treadmill. I honestly don’t mind the ‘mill, but I have to be careful to not overdo it.
More Time On The Treadmill
With Scooby as my ever-ready, willing, and able running partner, I can go months without setting foot on my treadmill. But when the weather keeps me inside, I actually look forward to the change of pace, and the chance to push myself with intervals. But as I headed into my third week in a row of treadmill running, I realized I need to be careful about overdoing it.
Last winter I switched to treadmill running after I fractured my rib and hand. Eliminating the risk of another fall and avoiding Scooby pulling on his leash definitely made it a safer option. In retrospect, though, I have to wonder if all that treadmill running—all those speed intervals, steep inclines, and HIIT intervals—is what made my Achilles so angry. When I was rehabbing over the summer, it didn’t take me long to realize that running hills aggravated it. Even now that it’s feeling stronger, I notice that running harder (faster) seems to strain it. Maybe that’s obvious to the rest of you, but I tend to have to learn running lessons the hard way.
As I look ahead to another week of treadmill weather, I need to choose my classes carefully. While intervals make the time go by more quickly, I need to balance hard classes with easier ones so I don’t end up sidelined again.
Weekly Wrap
In between four treadmill runs, I hit my 200th Peloton ride on my Schwinn IC4. Cycling is another good option to give my Achilles a break.
Monday (MLK Day): Lower Body Strength + 5 mi Tread Run + 20 min Core
Took advantage of the holiday and did a full strength workout before hopping on the tread for a 45 min intervals run. This class had a long warm-up and sustained intervals (4/3/2 min) at a moderate pace.
A short while later Deborah convinced a few of us to hop into Daniel’s live 20 min core class. It was fun to take a class together.
Tuesday: Upper Body Strength + 30 min Ride
I really love the structure of Hannah Frankson’s HIIT rides, and seeing my cadence pattern afterwards. I tacked on a Matt Wilpers low impact ride which included some good drills to improve form.
Wednesday: Core + 5.15 Scooby Miles
Took advantage of clear sidewalks and a break in the weather to take Scooby out for a run. Warmed up with a core-focused Jess Sims’ Flash 15 workout, and it almost got me too warm. Stepping out into the cold after getting that “glazed donut” level of sweat was a shocker!
Thursday: Core + Full Body Strength + 200th Peloton Ride
Planned my workouts around a 6:45 am live class for my 200th ride. I love Hannah Corbin for barre, but hadn’t taken a cycling class with her. She was fine, but I really don’t like the tabata format—maybe I’d enjoy it more after I’ve had coffee. 😉
Friday: Full Body Strength + 4.0 Tread mile
I tried to choose a less intense tread class, and knew Matt Wilpers wouldn’t cue anything too crazy, although he does like inclines. This class was sort of a progression run, with three sustained intervals at a slightly faster pace each time.
Saturday: Core + Barre + 8.4 Treadmill Miles
My second 8ish mile run on the treadmill of the year. Marcel’s Halloween Run was more challenging than I expected, but I held my pace back and didn’t always follow her incline cues. Robin cued some crazy intervals at the end of her class. I don’t have enough range to add 0.5 mph every 30 sec for 2 min), so I just did my own thing.
Sunday: Upper Body Body Strength + 23 miles of Peloton Rides
There were two 30 min Peloton rides I wanted to try, and my MRTT group is having a “contest” to match something about your workout to the date, so I did those rides plus a cool down ride to log 23 miles on my IC4 on January 23. I sandwiched my rides with upper body strength workouts to round out the day.
I couldn’t figure out how to get captions on Cliff’s gospel ride, but it didn’t really matter. He gave enough cadence and resistance cues in English to dust off the brain cells that hold the rudimentary German I used to know (mostly from elementarty school), and held up fingers for the count downs. Jess King’s Bowie ride was great too—excellent playlist and just enough talking to keep you focused.
A huge thank you to Deborah and Kim for hosting the Weekly Run Down link up.
![The Ultimate Coffee Date](http://got2run4me.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Ultimate-Coffee-Date.png" "The Ultimate Coffee Date")
I think that’s one of the reasons I avoid the treadmills like the pest – I strongly suspect that they anger my Achilles, too. I always used to feel stiff after a treadmill run.
A solid workout week, Coco. Was Cliff’s gospel ride in German that you would have needed captions?
Ah, yes, Cliff’s ride was in German. Peloton has several German instructors, and a few who teach in Spanish!
Congrats on the 200th Peloton ride!
I’ve been loving the Treadmill lately. I of course love being outside but the treadmill has just been so convenient!
The convenience can’t be beat — especially if I can let Scooby out in the yard. Otherwise I have to walk him anyway. 😉
Another reason for me to avoid the TM, lol! You know I’m not a fan. It definitely changes my stride, altho I don’t mind using it for speedwork.
Congrats on that 200th ride! And was that class in German?
LOL, I didn’t realize the class history list doesn’t show that it was in German. The list of classes I choose from make it clear!
Interesting on the tread changing you gait. That’s another risk factor.
Yes, I see the problem- it’s tempting to do hills and/or speed every time you’re on the treadmill. Hopefully you can get outside more this week- and if not, be careful with those treadmill classes. I know my foot flares up if I try to run too fast.
Congratulations on your 200th ride!
I have a hard time taking it easy on the mill. I’ll have to take Scooby out this week!
Interesting about the achilles…makes me wonder what triggered it for me, as it happened in the summer when I was only outside (no treadmill) and only running easy! I just hope it never comes back 🙂
Glad Scooby got a fun 5 miler in there! You fit in a ton of Peloton this week!
Well, I guess we never know where these injuries really come from. Hopefully they don’t come back!
Congrats. Wow. 200.
I’m glad I don’t have a treadmill. I now have to run outside. Not fun.
Hope your Achilles behaves.
It seems to be doing pretty good now. It’s not 100% but it’s fine with my current load — I’ve really upped my stretching game.
Oddly I feel as though treadmill runs tend to give my body a break. Although I do live in a hilly area. I ran 8 miles on a treadmill once (way pre Peloton days) — that was tough.
Glad I was able to get out for two runs this week. We don’t have too much snow yet & that’s the way I like it!
More isn’t all it’s cracked up to be sometimes. 🙂 Glad you were able to get out for a run with Scooby! Bandit’s been tolerating some pretty darn cold weather, but there have been plenty of days when it’s just too cold to walk him at all.
I think Scooby would be OK with a walk in the 20s — as long as it’s not too windy — but if I start the day cold I have a hard time warming up.
I’ve got to face some hills in my neighborhood, but outside I naturally adjust my pace.
Also depends on if the streets are dry or wet for Bandit! Little dogs are so close to the ground they get wet everywhere. Some dogs don’t mind that but mine always do!
The treadmill definitely jacks up my stride/form. I can’t help but assume it affects various body parts in compensating. Also, “slower” the pace, the more awkward it feels, so I tend to up the pace to get things done as quickly as possible, LOL. So, yeah, it serves me best to just stay off the &$#% thing. Wasn’t it fun doing Daniel’s live class together? We should do that more often (though my WFH gig is ending this week, so my availability will be limited).
It was fun! I’m sure we can plan some weekend classes too.
Congrats on your cycle milestone! I don’t ride too much with Hannah (I find her to be a little boring) but she has awesome stretch classes.
I also can’t figure out how to get captions on Cliff’s rides but i wish I could, although he does make it easier to follow along with his cues.
Oh, that’s so funny. I like her energy, but she’s not chatty. I do tend to take her structured classes (intervals, HITT) so maybe there’s not time to be bored. Now Ben on the bike is too boring for me, but I like his strength classes.
I’ve noticed that some of the Pelo instructors ask for ridiculous speed/incline increases that I know are not ideal for me. Good for you for realizing what may have derailed you with injury last year. Congrats on 200!
Interesting observation about running on the treadmill. I feel like I hold myself back on it more. It’s funny how we all run differently on it. Congrats on your cycling milestone and onto the next one!
Congrats on #200!
Great job on getting through 8 miles on the mill! Like you, I have to be careful how much time I spend on the mill – my gait definitely gets out of whack.
You are an inspiration to me! Thank you for sharing!
Congrats on your 200th Peloton ride, Coco!
It wouldn’t surprise me at all that your Achilles issues came from running differently on the treadmill. There was a period of time that my knee really hurt when I ran on the treadmill, but not when I ran outside. Oddly, after about a year, it went away as quickly as it had appeared. Hopefully, the roads and trails will stay clear for a while and we won’t have to worry about running on our treadmills.
I’ve been noticing that my efforts at speedwork on the treadmill have been very mediocore lately! I used to do a lot of speedwork on my treadmill, but now I just can’t get those paces. I do my best because it’s the effort that counts to me!
Yay for your 200th Peloton Ride!! What a solid week! Keep listening to your body – your observation about the treadmill and your Achilles sounds spot on.
I never feel good after the treadmill. It’s not my jam at all.
200 rides is fantastic! Congratulations!