Saturday, August 8, 2009

Do I, Or Not?

This was supposed to be the "Summer of Run". It didn't turn out quite as I had planned. I have had a pretty frustrating running summer. And I have kept at it in search of that amazing run I know is out there. Since I returned from the San Diego Rock n Roll Marathon I have had a string of really bad runs. And good to great runs? So few, I can count them on one hand.

I have spent a lot of time thinking about what has worked in the past and what has changed. In 2006 I ran a string of PRs at the Half Marathon distance. I went back and read some of my posts from 2007 and I had some awesome runs, some awesome races and I had decent speed (for me). In 2008 I ran a Marathon PR, Thanks to Petra.

In May, I ran my second slowest Marathon time and over the past two months I have been sucking. What changed?

My Treadmill.

I have made the decision that to get my speed back and return to some great runs, I am going back to the treadmill. I know it has worked for me in the past, and my road running is very obviously not working.

I LOVED my treadmill. I ran thousands of miles on my treadmill - I can't believe I never named it - I ran on it so much that I cracked the decked in half.

The deck was replaced and then it needed a belt for the motor. I thought I was back in business and then occasionally, after a few miles the treadmill would throw an error that had something to do with the speed being "off" and the treadmill would shut down.

It's pretty scary to have the machine shut down while you're moving at a decent rate of speed.

Mr. H. suspects that because the running belt was removed and replaced with the deck replacement combined with the fact that there is a moderate amount of wear on the current belt, it has been stretched out and needs to be replaced.

There is still a possibility that my treadmill is just screwed and a new belt will do nothing but cost me $100.

So here is where I need your help:

Do I replace the belt on my treadmill or do I suck it up and join a gym?

There are a few options around here.

Anytime Fitness: It's about 5 miles away and I get a discount with my health insurance. But they only have three treadmills and I'm afraid that I might not be able to get on one when I need to or what to.

YMCA This is also about 5 miles away in the other direction There are a lot of treadmills, lots of classes and a pool in case I am inspired to cross-train tri-style.

Gold's Gym It's about 8 - 10 miles away. I haven't checked it out yet, but I would assume there are a fair number of treadmills. They also have a decent class schedule if I wanted to spin or whatever.

What should I do? Make an attempt to fix what I have or cut my losses and join one of the gym choices above. I really need your help!
Posted by Maddy at 1:09 PM
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12 comments:

  1. Is buying a new treadmill out of the question? I know the Y here is $50 a month (which would be my choice of gyms) multiply that by 24 (2 year membership) there's your $1200 for a new machine. Ofcourse you are having to come up with that up front (maybe a gym won't require that?). I don't know, but that's what I would do. It's just so much better having one at home..(saves on gas and time and you know all the other perks wear what you want, etc)

    If a new one isn't an option then I'd say spend the money to repair the one you have.
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  2. I don't think I can be much help here. I hate the treadmill. But I love the gym. I'd be tempted to join the gym, but not for the treadmill...for the weight equipment.
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  3. For the past 6 yrs I have been a huge gym rat. As a SAHM, I loved it for the workouts classes, weights, teadmills, friendships, etc. Also, I was living in HI and Guam, where it was HOT and I wasn't crazy about outdoor running. I wasn't working so it was no big deal about working out later in the a.m. too.

    Now that I am back at work part-time and training for a marathon, I am only at the gym once a week or so. My workouts *must* take place early in the a.m. The gym means extra time in getting there and back- and those extra minutes are precious in the a.m.!! I really think we are getting a treadmill for home this yr for Christmas. The gym can be nice for so many reasons, like I listed above. However, the treadmill has worked for you in the past. It will give you a lot more freedom about jumping on the treadmill last minute w/out messing with getting to the gym. BTW, I would choose the YMCA over the Anytime Fitness. Sounds nicer to me. Golds, which I adore and belong to, I think sounds a bit too far to drive. Good luck and I hope to meet you in DC!!
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  4. If you go with YMCA, make sure they participate in the "AWAY" program so you can use YMCAs in other places... like San Diego (down the street from the office)
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  5. I myself will always pick the road over ANY treadmill, but if I was forced to use a treadmill, I would either fix the one OR get a new one. It is much easier to not have to drive somewhere just to run.

    If money does not allow you to buy a new treaddy right away, and your Y is anything like mine in Ocala, FL, then you can join there with NO contract in a month by month deal. This would allow you use until you do get a new one.

    Just a thought. Let us know what you decide!
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  6. Fix the treadmill if you can - stick with what works for you sweetie. This'll get you back on track - mentally - and you can see where you go from there.. Keep us posted?
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  7. I'm a treadmill lover too, I think it really helps me maintain consistent paces and work on speed.

    I'd say fix it if it can fixed however, I do love my gym. Especially b/c there are always other people around which gives me motivation.
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  8. I vote to fix the treadmill or buy a new one. Your training has been great with the treadmill AND you have more flexibility on when you can get your runs in. When you are getting in the really long ones, you don't have to haul so much water and stuff with you - just hop off and grab what you need....and the potty stop, well right there.

    I never knew how you could go so long on a treadmill, but we are even thinking of taking the plunge to provide a bit more flexibility in training times. In this summer heat, if you don't finish by 7:30 am, you get to fight the heat! Earlier, you get to fight the humidity. So if you are training for fall races, a treadmill is a nice alternative.

    My 2 cents...
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  9. I'm not a dreadmill runner myself so no clue what you should do on that front. I just can't run in place like that, I gotta be outside but that def takes some serious determination given the temp. If you go the gym route, I hear a lot of good thing about the YMCA & Gold's Gym and they always have lots of fun classes you could test out.
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  10. I think it depends mostly on when you think you'll be wanting to use the treadmill. The convenience of having one at home that you can use anytime is hard to beat. My gym is only 2 miles away but open for only 4 hours on Sat & Sun so I can only go swim (the only thing I really do there) during the week usually.
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  11. For me, I would get the treadmill fixed. It is a great tool, it is good to have if sudden weather strikes, etc. Plus I save so much time not travelling to and from a gym.
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  12. I agree the treadmill is a great tool but if it is at all possible to get to the gym it is better. I cut 20 minutes off of my marathon time last year with a combination of speed and hill repeats on the treadmill but also will adding weight lifting and plyometrics. But to top that it was also fun having all of the different equipment to change up my routine. And one final thing. I am so much more social when I am there. Otherwise I get in my house in my routine and talk to my dogs, my kids or sometimes their friends parents who I have little in common with. Hope this helps.
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