Wheeler Farm Loops

Great job Jake!! Sleep is definitely very important and if you miss the workout this afternoon it wont be the end of the world. It's not worth risking injury if it is too slick out.

Great workout! Good luck with the PM run. Sometime I'll need to get your take on the treadmill. Seems you're pretty committed to being outside.

Unless there is a treadmill race I need to get ready for, I'll be doing 100% of my running outdoors!

I just like being outside... for me, running is more fun that way - even if the weather is crummy. You can always move workouts to different days or modify what you have planned. And when the roads are snowy, its a good excuse to run easy.

I feel like I should qualify that statement, though - in no way am I anti-treadmill. In a lot of situations it makes sense (like females who run solo in the wee hours of the morning - Hi Rachelle!)... and there is something to be said for just locking into a pace and being forced to run at that speed.

But I just hate exercising indoors. Even during hard, taxing workouts, I'm finding some enjoyment in what I'm doing. I don't get that same feeling on the treadmill... I feel like a hamster.

Although one could argue that spinning laps around the outdoor track isn't all that different :-)

I'm with you when it comes to finding enjoyment in what I'm doing. I have always loved (in a sick and twisted way) interval workouts at the track. The treadmill does feel like a hamster wheel at times. For me, I've noticed that my body seems to recover quicker after my high-intensity treadmill workouts than a similar workout outside. For you, Mr. Recovery, putting in all of your miles outside is working.

How often are you soaking in your garbage can full of ice? I don't imagine you've got one under your desk at work.

Usually just after really hard workouts or long runs. I've been slacking a bit lately b/c surprisingly nothing hurts right now. But for the next 6 weeks I'm going to really try and take a preventative approach.

Tonight, for example, if I do the second workout - I'll do the ice soak for sure.

I cannot wait for the day when I get to cancel my gym membership :)

I love the treadmill for certain workouts.

For cardio vascular fitness it is just as effective to run on a treadmill.

For acclimating to heat stress they are great.

From a neuromuscular standpoint it's a tradeoff. On the positive side, your legs get dialed in to a specific rate of turn-over. On the negative, you don't have to do the explosive push off the ground to propel yourself forward.

If you don't use music or entertainment you can build great mental focus on a treadmill.

They are best viewed as a tool. You think of a tool in terms of what it can do for you, not what it can't.

"This hammer sucks! I can't cut this board with it".

I've enjoyed everyone's take on the TM. I absolutely hate running on them, but I was so grateful I had that option this morning so I didn't have to digress too much from my schedule - especially since after the roads freeze tonight I'll be sporting my ice spikes tomorrow.

Rob I particularly liked your heat acclimation comment. I was thinking today (while on the mill), "I sure hope Boston isn't this hot, but if it is, at least I've done one training run in 70 degree heat..." Thanks for validating my thoughts today.

Yeah, lots of good thoughts there Rob. I totally agree with you that there are plenty of benefits.

I'm like one of those trail guys that hasn't run a step on pavement since 1983 - I haven't run indoors since around 2005 :-)

I have no problem saying I'm anti-treadmill. I have had problems on treadmills where I get too impatient and my stride isn't the same and it's caused me to get injured more than once.

Now this is my experience and not a statement for everyone they just don't like me. Not to say I will never run on one again. I did it with my rehab on my leg. I'm sure I'll eat these words and have to run on one soon.

Jake - regarding the extra sleep... sometimes we forget that sleep is part of your training. The elites take naps between their workouts so it's an important concept when your running hard. Your just truly an incredible runner.

Kory you are right on with the sleep - its been a huge part of why I've been able to jump a level in my training and racing, and recover quickly. I sleep 8-9 (sometimes 10) hours every night and it makes a huge difference.

i hate treadmills, mostly because i get nauseated in gyms. but i like rob's points and i agree that they can be useful training tools.

sorry it's gross out -- good luck this afternoon.

Did you find a location to meet for Saturdays run? I was going to post it today.

Rob - I agree with the heat stress. I've done a few 20 miler's in the past on treadmills and it does produce a pool of sweat. Hey all my treadmills have TV's so I have entertainment or watch a movie.

Treadmills are good if you need to do a hard workout for that day when the weather doesn't permit you to do so, and you can do it outside any other day. But I would still run outside on a bad day. :-)

8 x 800. yawn.

would 400x800 have impressed you allie?

yes, but you can do it next week...

truth be told, i'm impressed every time i visit your blog. it takes an incredible amount of energy just to read about your workouts. my laptop starts melting if i stay here too long.

I need to figure out how to get my blog to automatically play really annoying music (like myspace in the early 2000s). Then you'll really be impressed every time you visit, and your computer will surely melt (from viruses)