Oh hi! It’s been a while since I’ve joined Marcia for Runfessions. I haven’t had much to runfess- first I was recovering from my race, then I was rehabbing my hamstring, and then I got sick. But now I’m itching to get back to it… which means I have things to say!
My first runfession is that I’ve been embracing the treadmill lately. Five years ago, if you told me it was too hot to run outside I would have said “Don’t be a sissy! Suck it up!” But, every year the heat bothers me more and more. I’m not running a summer race, so why should I be miserable? The gym is air conditioned! Yes, it’s a little boring- but I have my podcasts to keep me engaged.
On a related note, I HAVE to do something about my speed. Around the same time I developed this heat intolerance, I started to get slower and slower (coincidence? Hmmm…) Every summer I say I’m going to work on speed but it never happens. Will this finally be the summer? The treadmill is a great place for speed work…so we’ll see.
The last runfession I have- and this could throw a monkey wrench into all my plans- is that my hamstring is not 100% recovered. My chiropractor wanted to do some expensive laser treatments; I decided to fix it myself. I’ve been working to fix my weak hip muscles, and also avoiding any strength moves that irritate that hamstring (no deadlifts, lunges, or split squats). Sometimes I’m running pain-free, and sometimes I still feel it.
So there it is- a running update and some runfessions. Onward!
Does the heat bother you? Would you run on a treadmill to stay cooler?
Top photo by Birk Enwald on Unsplash
30 Responses
Funny thing–I have been telling people that I don’t mind being sidelined from running because it’s too hot to run outside. In my whole running life, I never dreamed I’d say that. We are having a tropical summer, and I am not enjoying it. That is my runfession. Sadly, before this injury happened, I was running some of my fastest splits in a few years. Will it come back? Time will tell.
You know, any time I get injured it’s when I felt like things were going REALLY well. But, at least you’re missing some of the heat. I know you don’t like the treadmill!
I am a huge fan of the treadmill and you’re right: it’s SO good for speed intervals. I’m coaching a “track Tuesday” group this summer and the heat has been very challenging. I don’t wanna wish summer away but come on. My hammy took a very long time to heal. I’ve not heard of laser treatments. Must be something new.
Oh, my chiro has all sorts of fancy things. Hamstrings definitely can take a long time- I’m hoping mine will continue to heal while I do some running.
The heat definitely bothers me. Give me A/C and all the fans!
I love speed work but it is risky for my hamstring.
I think you’re being too hard on yourself about your speed. You ran a gazillion miles, are rehabbing your hammy, have been sick, and probably are eating less simple carbs (easy fuel) on your diet—give yourself a break. 😉
Well, I do give my self a break- but at some point I have to pull myself together and say “enough is enough!” I do agree- speed work is risky for hamstrings. I’m proceeding cautiously.
Yes the heat bothers me and yes the treadmill is a godsend. Where I live we get summer heat and a winter freeze out, so up here if you’re not using the treadmill then you’re missing a lot of workouts. Plus the treadmill is not “easy” – just because you’re in AC doesn’t mean that you’re not dripping sweat, and mentally it’s tougher.
I know that the speed block is tempting because it’s summer and Running Law dictates that we do Speed in Summer, but it’s not necessarily a good fit with your other goals. Right now you’re focused on your diet and getting that hamstring fixed up, and then the 60 miler is on the horizon. It’s just something to think about.
yes, BUT, if I don’t do speed work now, when will I? Before I know it I’ll be training for that 60 miler and then I’ll be focused on distance and not getting injured… there’s never a good time. Which is why I never get faster.
I also used think I was pretty bad ass running outside no matter what the temp was. The heat bothers me so much more now than it ever did. No shame in running in the AC
Yep, I’ve really changed my way of thinking on this one! If I were training for a hot race, I would have to run outside… but I’m not.
I am a huge baby about the heat. I am fine walking in the rain or the snow or the cold, but if it gets above 80 I am not setting foot outside unless I’m near a swimming pool, no thank you.
I’m bummed that your hamstring isn’t 100% yet, but I am confident you will get it back in shape. Your methods sound much better than laser treatments. Not that I know anything about hamstrings or lasers.
Suzanne, do not move to Florida! Something tells me you’re not contemplating that. I know it’s hot everywhere now though.
I can really only handle the treadmill for shorter runs because I feel…awkward on it and kinda scared I’m gonna go flying off the back so I usually just use it once or twice a week to practice power hiking at an incline. But the A/C is a nice perk!
I can deal with the heat but not the humidity — we are getting into monsoon which is our summer rainy season and the humidity can go from our typical 10-20% up to 50% or sometimes more in the mornings when it’s gonna rain and I really struggle with that!
Yes- humidity is really the crowning blow. Our temps usually hover in the low to mid 90s, but the humidity is what kills us here.
I used a treadmill at our hotel in SC, and I kind of liked it. Thinking about replacing my elliptical for one when we finish our storage room…
The treadmill is VERSATILE! My daughter uses it for her cardio- she puts it on a huge incline and power hikes.
I’m not a runner and have no runfessions, but yours like very modest confessions!
Speed work sounds like a great plan for the treadmill. Nu has been doing some kind of backward walk thing on the treadmill claiming it’s good for joints… it looks a bit dangerous, IMO. But I’m a ninny.
If the hamstring is twinging now and again it may heal itself with your help or… have you seen someone other than your chiro for it? (Sorry if you mentioned it already. I’ve never seen a chiro because people around me don’t have much faith in them although I keep hearing about other people who have been helped by them.)
Nu is smart! Backwards walking is supposed to be really good for your knees. I agree it looks iffy on the treadmill- but I see people doing it too.
Last summer when I was dealing with a DIFFERENT issue, I went to someone else- and didn’t like them. I ended up back with my chiro and he fixed that one (it was my calf.) So… I don’t know. Maybe I should go with his treatment… sigh.
I read an article ages ago that said walking/running backwards is something we should all be incorporating into our workouts starting in our 40s. I feel like there was a reason for it, but I have long since forgotten it. When I take the dog to the middle school track, I try to walk backwards because it seems like the safest place to do that (few tripping hazards!). I’d like to get up to a lap around the track, but it’s hard!
I am so sorry your hamstring is still problematic. It is the worst feeling when something turns into a chronic problem. Is the solution rest? Strengthening? How do you even know the answer to these questions?!
I swear my tolerance for the heat diminishes more and more each year! As much as I’m not a fan of the treadmill I do think it’s a great way to do speedwork. I’m sorry your hamstring is still giving you trouble. Have you had it checked out by someone other than your chiro? Maybe PT?
I don’t love the heat, but I can tolerate it. I can’t really say the same for the treadmill, but it has its place. I remember running at lunch time in the summer in FL and NOLA and it was not fun. This is when I discovered that I don’t sweat, but instead my head looks like a tomato about ready to burst at the seams. However, I have run a lot of races and been out on the bike in some pretty gnarly weather and so sometimes it just is the way that it is. I am currently having a lack of motivation, and so nothing < treadmill < running outside. So treadmill still is above nothing!
It’s been hotter than dickens in Minnesota so it feels like I’m in Florida. I don’t love it but try to remember it will make me stronger.
I don’t have a gym membership so I don’t have access to a treadmill. I have been using them while traveling for a walk/run combo. For some reason running on the treadmill feels so hard. But for Phil he feels like outdoor running is way harder.
I haven’t ran this week besides a short run the morning we left for Chicago. I have seen a lot of runners on the lakeside trail but have not wished to be out there because there is no shade and it’s been so so hot! And really pushing a 40lb kid around has been enough of a workout!! He usually does not use a stroller but it was necessary on this trip since we had to cover so much ground.
I’m sorry to hear your hammie is still bugging you! That sucks.
I do agree the ‘mill is great for speed work. Myself, I’m only too eager to get OFF the treadmill, that almost every run on it becomes a speed session. Truth! But, even if I did have a working treadmill, I just cannot make myself use it when I have the outdoors as an option (regardless do the heat). I’m grateful I can tolerate the heat pretty well, but I also am mindful to not run especially long or fast in it.
I do NOT like the heat. I also do NOT like the cold. I am such a picky person and like life best when it’s 17C, with crisp mornings, sunny afternoons, and with the sun setting around 8 pm. *Happy sigh*
The heat used to bother me terribly, but the older I get, the better I tolerate it (I’m talking once I turned 60’ish I started tolerating it better). I used to tolerate the cold better than I do now, though. I’ve run on the treadmill when there’s too much snow on the ground or the wind is howling or there are electrical storms, but never when it was too hot.
I hope you can fix your hamstring without the laser treatment.
I think the combo of summer and menopause it doing me in. Yes the heat is a huge problem for me. But I still prefer being outside than anything else.
I’m using the stair stepper to work on my speed. Also trying o be brave enough to take on things like step ups and inclines. It’s a long road back, but it can’t hurt to try.
I wilt in the heat pretty spectacularly- I don’t know how you do it! Our heat wave up here this week wiped me out and I can barely move all that much.
I’m so glad you’ve been able to treadmill and exercise through this hamstring thing (even if a bit modified) and hope what you’re doing to fix it works fast!
I do not like running in the heat. I try to get my run done early in the morning. I hate running on a treadmill. I think it messes with my back.
I can’t handle running in the heat. I brought one set of running clothes to St. Louis and I may go a couple times in the morning but once it hits 85 I start feeling pretty bad. I’m so lucky that where I live we have beautiful weather for running all year round. It maybe be a little foggy or windy, but it’s rarely too hot.
I’m so curious about the laser treatments. What would they do? I’ve never heard of anything like that. I hope you can fix it yourself. Chronic issues like that can be so frustrating.