Shhh...I like running on a treadmill!...and the Currently

Confessions of a competitive-aholic on the treadmill:

Okay, so my husband and I have been trying to work out more regularly (and yes, you can say we joined the New Year's Resolution people, but I'm okay with that).  Many people get annoyed with the mass of people who show up at the gym on January 1 every year.  However, I like LOVE it.  I know...that's kind of a sick, but I really do like all of the people.  See, I'm really competitive when it comes to things like this.  Running is a personal thing, but I get a lot of my motivation from those around me.  The other day this little college chick with her sorority letters, matching shorts, wavy hair perfectly tossed up into a ponytail hopped onto the treadmill next to me.  Here are my thoughts as my time on the treadmill progresses.  I do not recommend this strategy to others, as it does not bring out the best, but thought I'd share!

Me: Yes!  She's going to walk/jog for a couple of miles and I will smoke her!

Perfect college girl: Begins her warm up and does high knees and butt kicks to get ready.

Me: Oh man, she looks like she's going to be serious, but there is no way she can look that cute and actually be a serious runner.

PCG: Begins a slow jog for a minute. (I know this because I was obsessively watching out of the corner of my eye every time she altered the numbers...creepy, I know!)

Me: Why am I worried about what she is doing?  I am trying to run more, and gain my running swag.  Seriously, MB, get your act together.

PCG: Increases her treadmill to the same pace I am running.

Me: Hmm...looks like I need to increase 0.5 mph. Yea, I probably need to push myself anyway, this is good for me. Thank you PCG for running next to me. 

PCG: Moves her feet to the side of the treadmill as it keeps going.

Me: She better not count that distance when she tells her friends how far she went today.  She didn't run that whole time.  MB, get a grip!  Who cares?

PCG: Turns her treadmill to 10 mph (a 6 minute mile) and begins to run for 30 seconds at 10 mph.

Me: Holy cow!  This girl is better than I gave her credit for!  What could she possibly be training for that would require her to do intervals at this speed?  

PCG: Lets the treadmill continue to run as she hops to the side to stretch her quads.

Me: Yep, I bet she's going to count that in her total too. 

PCG: Repeats six more intervals for 30 seconds.

Me: Okay, step it up MB.  Increase by 0.5 mph for another mile. Wow!  While I've been worried about  PCG I've actually run almost 2.5 miles!

PCG: Finishes her workout and leaves.

Me: Oh good!  I can run another half mile at a slower pace and she won't know that I cut back my speed.  Whew!  I am really tired. I finish 3 miles at a faster pace than I've done in a long time!  Thank you PCG for pushing me to run at speeds that I would have never done without you next to me.  Although you had no idea I was competing with you, I was.  Here's to another creepy treadmill run next to you in the near future!

And this is why I like running on a treadmill!  I like to see the numbers, how fast, how far, how many calories, and to find some competition.  To me, the New Year's rush is just an added bonus to my needed external motivation.

I wonder who my treadmill motivation will be tomorrow...

And my January Currently! Thanks Farley for another great layout!  You are so cray cray creative!