Treadmill Allergy?

Now it's the school holidays (woo hoo!) I have to train at the gym a few days. The treadmill has been something I have not been looking forward to. Since I discovered the joys of outside running, I have found it increasingly hard to get on there and stay on for anything like the same amount of time I am able to stay outside for. I know it has its place in terms of constant speed for tempo runs or intervals or hill sessions, but....

So Thursday night I hit the gym. And tried to do a hill session. First my knee played up and I had to get off and stretch. Then I tried the cross country programme, but got bored. So I ended up faffing about and walking quickly for about an hour in total. Mental block. Not good. When I get a mental block on something I really do get a block. So I tried again on Friday morning while little madam was having her swimming lesson and it was better. Jeremy Kyle took my mind off the pain a little and I did a 24 minute hill session. Not too fast, but stretching enough to feel like I had worked.

Tuesday had been intervals at the club. Running up and down the dark arches around cones and on slippy oil patches... Then a zoom back to the gym pushing my tired legs to move quicker. This is my new technique for training my legs to get used to running tired. I am trying to do it on most of my runs now.

Saturday was lovely. HPTT. Not many people there. Little madam was given a marshalling job to do and I couldn't get the vest off her at the end! I hadn't realised how fast I was running because it didn't feel fast, but I finished in 22:18 which is only 3 seconds off my pb. When my time came through I was amazed! We stayed til the end and helped to tidy up meaning that we both got 100 volunteer points which is nice. Then we all went for drinks in a little cafe nearby. I had a lovely chat to some of the regulars there. It is so nice to feel like part of a community. The lovely morning was topped off by little madam achieving her level 7 swimming award.

Saturday night I went out for a quick 5 miler. I like training twice in one day and HPTT is so short it doesn't feel like I have run much even though I know it is doing me lots of good.

Sunday was long run day. I chose the route - up round Kippax. OMG. The hills. Oh the hills. Ow ow ow!!! It was very tough going and my legs are very tired today. Rick kept me going and we pushed it for the last couple of miles. We did 12.6 in 1:45:33 which considering the wind and the sheer number of 'inclines' was brilliant. I am trying to convince him to lower his target time now... He is convinced that my hill problem is psychological and that I can do it if I really try. Not sure how much is in the mind when my legs feel so bad, but positive mental thinking must be worth a try!

Today - no running. Running had been the intention, but with quads that complained about walking, I thought the short spin session I had booked would be more than enough for them. Hoping I am recovered enough for tomorrow night's club session.