Friday, January 14, 2011

Let the midnight-til-3am-running-in-the-garage-in-pitch-darkness BEGIN !

I think I mentioned it a few weeks ago, but I finally ran (no pun intended) our treadmill into the ground. Actually, I know that I did. Time for a funeral, but I don't have a hole big enough to bury the thing in.

Guess I could cremate it? Anyway...

Over the course of my running life (6 years now) I logged over 1,000 miles on that treadmill. I know most of you guys don't like the treadmill, and I don't either. For the most part, that is. And admittedly, it doesn't get very cold here in Georgia. But I've gotten to the point where it is a bit harder to get up at 4:30am every morning and head outside into 20 degree weather for a 9 mile tempo run, and in those types of cases, make no mistake about it, I LOVE the treadmill.

Here's the thing, here's the reason for my love: Since I am one that is prone to decide at the last possible moment (go figure. Just ask my wife) that I want to go grab a 14 miler, the mill sitting in our garage gives me that ability. Did I mention that my run will likely BEGIN around midnight? Getting out in the neighborhood just isn't as appealing at that hour, so having the mill here gives me the flexibility I need, where I need it.

This past training cycle, I logged at least three 15 milers, two 16 milers and a whopping two 20 milers on the mill. Again, most (if not all) of them took place after midnight when the rest of the family were sound asleep. Besides that, it's a heck of alot warmer in the garage.

Having resurrected our previous treadmill from the absolute dead at least 4 times in the past 2 years, I knew it was time for some new technology. I did my homework, read the reviews, asked the questions. I know what I'm looking for, I just needed to find it. Mind you, I am what you might call "cheap", so you're not going to find a $1,200 treadmill in our garage. Not considering that I am absolutely going to run it until it won't work any longer.

The previous mill was a nice ProForm RT2.0, and it held up like a champ. We decided to go with another ProForm, and I found it at a great price as well. Can't beat that.

So, let's show some t'mill love around here, guys. After all, treadmills have feelings too.

4 comments:

  1. I've never run on a treadmill but can understand why you do it. Starting runs at crazy hours is fun. Happy running on your new mill!

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  2. Congrats on the new mill. I can't imagine running anything over 30 minutes on the TM, so kudos to you!

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  3. Hey, I did a full dress rehearsal for the Dopey on the treadmill. I've learned that as long as I have something good to read I can stay on there for a very long time. I have a proform and I love it - happy running on the new treadmill :)!

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  4. We just looked at that treadmill this weekend. I'd love to read a review once you break it in. Thanks!

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