More Things I've Learned at the Gym

Over the last couple of weeks, my runs have progressed to further and further distances, with less walking in between. In fact, I'm not walking on the treadmill at all anymore, just running! This may sound really elementary to some, but the fact that I can run miles (plural) on a treadmill without stopping is a serious feat for me. I've never been a distance runner, so I'm really proud of the progress that I've made.

Since announcing that I want to run a half-marathon this year, I've received encouragement from so many people. Thank you all so much for your words of advice, suggestions, and more! It has really helped me get this far along. With that being said, I think I've decided on my first races this year. While the half-marathon still looms at the end of the year (TBD), I plan to run in the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K in April (in Charleston, SC), as well as the Tallman Track Club summer series (beginning in March) in Charleston, WV. These are great races that I'm really looking forward to, and I know they will prepare me for the big run later this year.

So, since I've decided on the these runs, I've been training harder than ever, and this has led me to more discoveries at the gym. First and foremost, let's talk about fuel. Now, I realize that what you eat before a run has nothing to do with the gym, but trust me, it can. It's so important to fill your body with energy that you can burn during a run. For example, in the event of a middle-distance morning run, I would recommend hydrating well and having a power bar with perhaps a banana. 

Yesterday, I was a complete idiot. Prior to running three miles on the treadmill, I consumed two McDonald's cheeseburgers and a large sweet tea. When I say prior, I mean about an hour and a half before the run. I can honestly tell you that the 80-year-old man on the treadmill next to me was watching me die. The reason? I had two cheeseburger bricks in my stomach that were only taking up space, not providing energy. I made it through the run, but the moral of the story is to be smart about what you put in your body before going the distance!

My next and final thought for now, is the televisions at the gym. Do not take it upon yourself to change the television channel at the gym without asking others around you first. Yesterday (while I was dying) I had my gaze fixed on a riveting basketball game that was getting me through. I was really into the action right about the time a lady walked up and switched the television to CNN. Really? What am I going to do with two news anchors talking silently at me for the next two miles? Nothing. I took to watching the seconds tick by, which only made me dislike "TV-channel-changing-lady" even more. Always ask before changing the channel on a television in the gym, and please, PLEASE, wipe down the machines when you're finished :)

That's all for now. As always, feel free to share your favorite stories from the gym!