Thursday, December 13, 2007

Icy on the outside, warm in the middle

That was the Y tonight... This ice everywhere made it impossible (ok, maybe not impossible) to run outside. I really hate the treadmill, but am thanking my lucky stars for my Y membership now. I was able to get a 4 miler in at varying speeds. I tested out different paces to see what felt comfortable. I guess the treadmill could be a good second option to running outside. But, I don't want to make a habit of it.

I also was able to get a little bit of lifting in today. I did bicep curls with 20 lb dumbbells, 3 sets of 8 reps each. Then, I did an overhead tricep exercise with 12 lb dumbbells, 3 sets of 10 reps each. I also did seated bicep curls (I forget what all this is called) with a 12 lb dumbbell for the first set of 8 and 15 lb for the last two sets of 8. Then, I did the rope pull downs for my last exercise... Three sets at 60 lbs for 10 reps each.

All in all, I think the Y is going to be a nice addition to my workout schedule. I think the lifting will round out what I'm doing a little more.

Run recap- 4 miles, 35:57, 8:59 pace

4 comments:

ulachopi said...

Not that I'm any sort of expert, but I think runners are apt to underestimate how much lifting can help their running.

I noticed an improvement in my ability to handle hills after about two weeks of a routine including lunges/squats. Lifting definitely helps IMHO.

Eric Gervase said...

Hmmm... I guess I have to start lifting legs then too. I am thinking about doing some sort of regular hill running routine to improve my leg strength. Just thinking about it though. Haven't actually done/planned anything.

RunToTheFinish said...

I know most folks hate the treadmill, but I think it's a great opportunity to do speed work and hills...I don't have enough long hills in my area so I can force myself to run them on the treadmill.

Eric Gervase said...

Hey Amanda... It's a good point. I'm very averse to running on a treadmill. But, I also haven't done a lot of it. It bores me to tears.

But, I was thinking about it on my long run today. I always have this polar opinion of treadmill vs. road running. But, there are definitely benefits of both. For instance, treadmill running is good for speed work and it doesn't depend on the weather. For me though, treadmill running just becomes a "watch the clock" session. I have a lot of trouble zoning out like I do on road runs. That's my major beef with the treadmill.