Well, it’s that time of month- thanks to Marcia for opening up her Runfessional once again. Let’s dive right in!
Ahem. Remember how we won a stair stepper? The gym at my husband’s school was getting rid of their old equipment, and my husband put his name in a drawing for the stair stepper. I’m actually thinking he was possibly the only one to put his name in for it, but anyway, it is now ours. The problem was, it was a HUGE PAIN IN THE ASS to get it home.
First, he naively took my car, a Rav4, to work one day so he could “bring home the stair stepper.” Nope- it was way too big. He ended up renting a U Haul and coercing, er, convincing two coworkers to help him load it in, ride back to our house, and unload it into our garage. And here it is…
This does not look like a stair stepper to me! I asked him who called it a “stair stepper” and he said, the athletic director. Really? Let’s look at the control panel.
Since when can you adjust the stride length on a stair stepper? This thing is like a weird hybrid between a stair stepper and an eliptical. I tried it out, and… I don’t like it. The only way I would ever use it is out of sheer desperation, like if I’m too injured to run and for some reason can’t do a pool run. So now we have a large piece of exercise equipment in our garage that I’m hoping I’ll never, ever have to use.
Speaking of injuries… how’s that foot doing, anyway?
Last month I “runfessed” that I was upping my long runs with the help of a little Advil. Since then I’ve stopped taking the Advil, gotten my long runs up to ten miles, and started doing speed work. Obviously my foot is completely healed, right?
Not so fast! It still hurts, at certain times of the day. Getting out of bed is… difficult, and if I get up after sitting for a while I have to hobble across the floor. But it hasn’t been hurting at all while I run! Running farther and faster were the two things that made it flare up, so I’m super happy I’m able to manage those now. I’m thinking it’s the orthotics? Whatever- I’m ecstatic.
So far this hasn’t been much of a “runfession”- more like an update. But I do have one thing to runfess: the heat here has been terrible. This past Sunday it was already 80 degrees at 6:30 am. And extremely humid. I headed out for my ten mile trail run…
I’ve never figured out why Florida has NO SHADE. The sun blazes down like it’s trying to kill you. This run was really, really hard, and I remembered that running on this trail just isn’t fun in the summer. Oh well… I’ll find other places to run for now.
So that’s it for this month! Question: does anyone know what the heck that piece of equipment is? Have you ever used one? Do you like it? Thanks for reading!
30 Responses
Way back when I used to go to an actual gym, they had machines like yours and I think they called it an elliptical? I didn’t like it either. It doesn’t feel like a natural movement. But that’s just me. I’m not super coordinated, so I don’t like to be challenged with a new movement…
We’ve been going from blast furnace to cold this spring–I’ve had the furnace and the A/C on in the same day. Crazy!
Yes, there’s something about the way you’re moving with this machine that feels unnatural. For some reason my husband seems to like it, so at least someone will use it.
I know all about your crazy weather because my sister lives in that area! They refuse to put on their AC yet and have been sweltering.
Yeah I used one of those and I don’t like them either. I’d say it’s an Elliptical as well. So not a stair stepper. What a bummer. I don’t blame you for not wanting to run in the blazing heat and humidity. That is tough! Thanks for ‘fessing!
Ha, I knew it! My husband doesn’t believe me but maybe he will now.
Yeah, I have to concur and vote elliptical on the What Is This game. I runfess I have not been on my elliptical since before Christmas (or maybe it’s been since Thanksgiving?). I’ve been doing all things Peloton (mostly cycling) when I’ve been stuck inside, so I haven’t had the need for something else. Oh well. I’m glad the foot has reached a more functional stage in its healing…hoping that continues for you!
I would much rather have a good indoor bike than this thing! Oh well.
I runfess that I don’t know what the “stair stepper” is either but my old gym had something similar and I quickly decided that it was not for me. Enquiring minds need to know – is your husband happy with it after all of the trouble of getting it home?
Yay for all of the running! And boo to the heat and humidity.
Yes, my husband actually likes it! And my daughter has started using it- so I guess it was worth it.
No shade = no bueno! They’ve cut down a lot of trees at some of my favorite running paths though — shade is getting harder & harder to find. 🙁
I can relate to having a large (non functioning) piece of equipment in my garage, since the old treadmill is still living out there & I have no idea when — or how — we’ll get rid of it. That’s too bad that you don’t like it!
Yes, I guess it would be hard to get rid of an old treadmill that doesn’t work!
At least the stair stepper or whatever was free (except for renting the uhaul.)
Glad you able to run double digits…. I feel for you. I never know when my foot will hurt but I feel that it will.
I ran a half in the sun and it was very hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yes, at least that thing was free. i’m pretty sure if they were asking me to pay for it, I would have viewed it first and decided not to get it.
I have an elliptical similar to that one that I would like to get rid of. Moving it would also be a giant pain the ass so it sits in my gym. Since I got the Peloton a few years back I never use it. So glad that your foot is hanging in there!
Ha, that’s funny- we both have this huge thing we don’t want to use! Luckily others in my family are willing to use it.
Yes, I agree with everyone else who would call that an elliptical. When I was rehabbing from my broken leg, the elliptical was my best friend. I haven’t used one in years, though, and am not sure if it would fit into my workout life. I love hearing about the lengths your husband went to in order to bring it home! A U-Haul!
I’m glad you’re able to do runs, but it’s terrible news that you’re still hobbling about at times. Argh! It must be so frustrating not to know how to make it better!
Honestly, I’m so used to it now. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to actually walk barefoot (maybe someday???)
Yes, I can just picture them loading this thing into a U Haul (glad I wasn’t there!) Luckily my husband actually likes it- otherwise he would be really pissed off, after all the work he did to get it here.
Hmmm, maybe it’s time for a garage sale? Or will your husband use it? Mine uses our elliptical a few times a year. 😉
Glad your foot is cooperating with running at least!
Actually it turns out my daughter has been using this… thing… almost every day. She wants to exercise but I think she’s too self conscious to run outside (SIGH) so this is perfect for now. And my husband seems to like it… whatever!
I have seen that piece of equipment at the gym, and I used it once. I think I used it for about three minutes before giving it up. I didn’t like it at all, and I am a person who has an elliptical trainer (with adjustable stride length) and loves it.
Yes, this thing is just very weird- it feels really unnatural. But, my husband and daughter have been using it so that’s good.
That is one thing I love about Canada – the mornings are almost ALWAYS cool. Being in the Southern US right now, it feels a bit shocking to the system that it is warm when I open the front door each morning to walk or run.
Glad your foot is feeling better – hope it gets to 100% soon <3
Another fitness blogger commented that she wished we could just have fall-like temps until 10 am, and then summer for the rest of the day. That would be perfect! Sounds like Canadian weather, and I’m envious.
Yay for pain free running. Boo for no shade.
I thought about coming down this weekend but knew it would be too hot to do anything enjoyable. Hope you get a break in the heat
Yeah, coming down to Florida in the summer is… questionable. But if and when you do decide to come, I’m up for a run/walk/swim in the ocean!
I have never seen a contraption like that either and would be a hard pass on using it, too. I was trying to convince my husband that we should get a treadmill. But then I ran on a treadmill at the gym at work a couple of times and remembered how much I hated it, so I think it was wise for him to hold the line on not buying one. Running is very difficult for a good 3-4 months here in Minnesota but I can do other things, like beach body workouts.
My run-fession is that I’ve barely ran this month. But I couldn’t because of covid. I am finally feeling better/up for running so will get back into it this week hopefully. I did run for about 1 mile with the stroller yesterday and OOF stroller running is hard! I love our BOB but they are so heavy and then add a 23lb kid and that is a lot to push! No wonder my sister is placing first in races. She does all of her running with her daughter in the stroller. I mean she was fast before having the baby, too, but not she seems even faster and I understand why.
Oh yes, I remember those stroller running days. I don’t remember getting any faster, though. Glad you’re feeling better now.
I wish we had a treadmill instead of this thing. There would at least be times (like during a thunderstorm) where I would possibly use that. Oh well- my husband and daughter have been using our elliptical/stair stepper.
That is 100% an elliptical, not a stair stepper. At my old gym, we had two different kinds of ellipticals – and the kind I didn’t like is the kind you have, womp. I actually really enjoy an elliptical workout, though! It’s a great cross-training option for you.
I don’t know how anybody runs in Florida in the summer. It’s just so hot and muggy and humid. I get so sweaty just from my walks!
Okay, I think that’s the final answer to the question- it’s the BAD kind of elliptical. Perfect! Just what we needed.
Yeah, that is not a stair stepper LOL… is your husband planning to use it?
I am always weary of exercise equipment because it’s such a PITA to move it…. I can’t believe you had a to rent a U-Haul!
Yes, my husband and daughter have been using the… thing. We’re still not in agreement on that and he’s still calling it a stair stepper. Whatever!