Choosing a treadmill at the gym!

[MissUnderstanding]

Tomorrow I’ve for a 10k event and yesterday, I woke up with a cold….argh! I think it’s taper madness-basically where you get random aches, pains, illness etc just as your event is coming up and you’ve cut your running a bit to be fresh on the start line.

What’s the best thing to do when you’ve got an event in a couple of days and you’re feeling ill? Rest. What did I do? Get on the treadmill and see exactly how bad I was feeling. Sometimes runners’ logic is more than a bit illogical!!

The first task was to choose a treadmill. This is always a bit of a dilemma! There’s a nice one on the end under the air conditioning unit. That’s one always goes first. Then there’s the one on the far end of the row which overlooks the cafe. Great for people watching. That’s a popular one too. Both of those were occupied. There’s always the dilemma of whether to go next to someone or not. Sometimes you end up with a chatty person when all you want to do is stick music on and watch trashy tv via subtitles. Sometimes it’s nice to have the camaraderie. There’s always one to avoid for no good reason-I’ve got one I don’t like because once it wouldn’t get off the start menu. I’m still holding a grudge.

Today, the deciding factor was being next to a pillar so I could put my rucksack down in a place where it wouldn’t get in anyone’s way. It was quiet so nobody either side of me-perfect.

Once I got on, the run was pretty uneventful! Pleasantly surprising that I felt ok. I took it slow. Fifteen minutes of fairly mindless plodding with a podcast and the tv for entertainment. One foot in front of the other with some minor adjustments to the speed to stay comfortable. Very reassuring for Sunday which was a great result!

Treadmills often get a bad rap but sometimes you just want a run like that. No stress, apart from which one to use!

Anyone else have the same thoughts when confronted with a row of treadmills to choose from?!! Maybe it’s just me!

PS: my image is from

unsplash.com/photos/a-gym-w...

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

When I was using the gym it was more a case of treadmill if one was free, bike if not, I never thought about choosing 😄 but then I went with my granddaughter early evening once she'd finished work and it was busy.Good luck for tomorrow, hopefully your cold will have eased

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I’ve got a weird working pattern so I’m often free in the day when it’s quieter. That’s definitely a bonus!

Thanks for the good wishes! I’m feeling a bit more human today so hopefully tomorrow will be a fun morning!

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate in reply to MissUnderstanding]

I had a weird work pattern too so years ago used to swim during the day when the pool was nearly empty 😁 but granddaughter works 9-5, Good luck tomorrow 😁

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10]

Absolutely MU. There are loads to choose from at the gym I go to. They’re all great for people watching as they overlook the pool and other gym equipment, but I know what you mean about the AC unit being a bonus.

I never chat to anyone whilst on one though. I listen to tunes and mind my own business, sometimes marvelling at the sheer speed some people set theirs to!

I’m on tenterhooks waiting for the official go ahead for the GSR tomorrow. I believe it’s on (found a local newspaper article from an hour ago), but I want the official email from Great Run!

Enjoy your run tomorrow. Is it the Two Tunnels course?

I’ve done nothing since PR last Saturday and yoga last Sunday. Assuming it goes ahead, it’ll be a very pedestrian 10 miles for me, made extra slow by the predicted wind and rain from Storm Ashley. But there’s a medal. 😍

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thank you and I’m crossing my fingers for your GSR! Can’t wait to hear how you get on…I hope it works out for you. Two tunnels is definitely on my hit list. I’m doing the 10k which goes from Green Park to Kelston and back. Rain is forecast. I’m going solo for the first time so I’m a bit nervous about getting cold and wet at the start and finish without MrU to pass me a jumper and take my coat off me just before the start. I’ll be using the bag drop. Hopefully the race atmosphere will keep me warm!

And there’ll be a medal at the end!!!

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

It’s cancelled MissUnderstanding . 🙁

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Gutted for you!! Sending hugs xxx

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Hope your race goes well! Can’t wait to hear about someone getting bling at least! 😍

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

I am so sorry to hear from you CC that tomorrow's Great South Run has been cancelled because of Storm Ashley, I WAS going run a virtual version but cancelled that for the same reason, this morning I was a marshall at Springburn parkrun, came back home and decided to run it this afternoon as it's a lovely Autumn afternoon in central Scotland, however, when I got to 12K I decided to stop as my back and legs were getting sore, nevertheless that was my longest run this year, my split 10K time was 3 minutes faster than my 10K two weeks ago at The Great Scottish Run.

[cheekychipmunks Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr , yes a real shame about the GSR, but not wholly unexpected and definitely the wise decision. Just sad I wasn’t able to see my pals and get my bling. Hopeful for a virtual option, otherwise there will a lot of medals and teeshirts going to landfill.

Well done on your run, and smart to pull up when you did. No point in soldiering on in discomfort. 👊😀

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10 in reply to cheekychipmunks]

That's ashame that those T Shirts and lovely medals will go to landfill, perhaps they could have ran the GSR next Sunday but I suppose that would not be possible, yes by all means try a virtual option.

[Richard7 Graduate10]

Ha ha this definitely resonated with me. I find the one under the aircon a bit too chilly but there is also one that I keep forgetting doesn't pause correctly!I have been struggling in the knee department and have been convincing myself that the stability of a run on the treadmill is a good thing but having been outside yesterday for the first time in a while I cannot help thinking that the distance/speed calibration is all to pot!!

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Richard7]

I think there a a few of us creatures of habit! You’re right about over enthusiastic air con being a pain…I was in a yoga class the other day and I was freezing.

Glad you’re getting a bit of outside time too-I hope you avoided the rain! That’s definitely a big advantage of the treadmill!

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Yoga and Pilates near an air conditioner is awful as the muscles need to be warm. I don’t know why gyms can’t monitor the usage depending on the type of class. 🥶

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I know!! It’s so frustrating. In zumba it’s never on high enough!

[Mummycav Administrator Graduate10]

no…you’re not alone in that MissU…I always liked the same treadmill when I went x

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Mummycav]

I’m so glad it’s not just me!!!!

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

I’ve frozen my membership to a gym because of a shoulder injury but should start again.

I bags the treadmill with cool air from the AC, I get so hot running in the gym.

[MissUnderstanding Administrator Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I’m hot running in all weathers…nice to find some solidarity!!!