Although I love working out, I don’t consider myself a gym rat. I really don’t think that I’m athletic or very much coordinated. However, within the last few months, I started running on the treadmill. I’m not up to five miles on the mill.
Believe it or not, I have gotten comments from my running friends who tell me that running on the treadmill is easy and it’s nothing like running the streets. They almost suggest that treadmill running is not as good… not as worthy as street running. To me, running on the treadmill, in the street, on the beach or even the boardwalk are all hard.
So I run on the treadmill a few times a week. I’m waiting until the weather gets a little warmer to take the running outside. But while I run on the treadmill, I noticed something interesting. Other people on other treadmills, look over toward my treadmill and watch my mileage, my speed and my endurance. It’s so odd. Are they being nosey or just competitive?
The other thing I have noticed is that when I get on the treadmill and have been on the mill for about 15 – 20 minutes, I see people come and go. Are they for real? Do they really think they will reap the benefits from exercise in just 5 or 10 minute intervals? (I try to work out for at least an hour.)
I’ve also noticed people talking on the phone while on the treadmill. And, people reading books while on the treadmill. Even, people talking to each other on the treadmill. Now is that really working out?
When I’m really working hard, I can’t talk (let alone breathe)!
I go to the gym for quiet time, to get focused, to workout hard and to relieve stress. I don’t want to talk with anyone. I want to be focused and do what I set out to do. Am I alone in thinking this way?
