The Benefits Of Running In Place
On getting unstuck without moving far at all.
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Presented by Priority Bicycles:
I’ve considered myself a runner for a better part of the last 14 years. I didn’t really enjoy running on the treadmill until the last few. Some things have shifted within me, sure. But — it’s also a risk assessment. Being an early morning sweat person, getting up and out in the New York winter only to wonder if today’s going to be the day that I slip and fall on some black ice … it just isn’t my vibe.
I get a lot of messages asking me if running exclusively on the treadmill is bad. (As a reminder, I’m a certified run coach via UESCA as well as an ACE-certified personal trainer.) The real question is: What’s your definition of “bad,” really? Because if it’s “I’m not going to run at all,” versus “I’m going to run on the treadmill,” then I’d pick the treadmill.
But also, let’s touch on a few things. Ideally, you want both outdoor and indoor training in your routine. Running outside allows runners to shift from an exclusive linear pattern, thus working a greater array of muscles. Plus! It can help up your bone density (study). You’ll also get natural shifts in incline outside that you have to implement yourself on the tread. Incorporating incline can help you prepare for what you may experience in an outdoor race scenario, if that’s something you’re into.
Meanwhile, the tread can push you. It can help you pick up the pace when you otherwise wouldn’t. And! The control! The pace, incline, environment. You don’t have to curse out cars or other runners for getting in your way. That level of control — it’s what I crave.
Running a workout like seven reps of three minutes on, 90 seconds off — or even worse, a 4-mile tempo that’s a 30-or-so-minute test of my absolute limits — that’s some mentally taxing stuff. Showing up and checking that off of my to-do list, especially first thing in the morning, it’s more than just my “me” time. It’s a reminder that I can do hard things, and I can do them well.
Sure, every day is an opportunity to show up and keep going. But on the tread? That takes all on a whole new meaning since it’s so easy to hop off. I use one in a gym that’s in my building. I’m essentially already home. I could go upstairs and drink coffee. Or get back into bed. But instead, I choose to work on myself. Instead, I allow this thing to push me forward, to get uncomfortable, to do things I may not always want to do but always feel better for accomplishing.
I wonder, sometimes, what other things in life I could use a proverbial treadmill for. Probably dating, for starters. But let’s not get into that, now.
Keep hurdling,
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
What I’m Watching: “The Beautiful Balance Between Courage and Fear” Ted Talk from Cara E. Yar Khan
I got myself into a TED Talk watching hole the other day, and loved these words from Cara E. Yar Khan, who was once told that she would have to limit her career ambitions after being diagnosed with a rare genetic condition that deteriorates muscle. She ignored that advice, instead continued to pursue her biggest ambitions, and talks about that in this.
What I’m Listening To: Jamie Chadwick on Just Women’s Sports
I’ve been diving into old episodes of Just Women’s Sports with Kelly O’Hara, two-time World Cup champ and Olympic gold medalist. This one with Jamie Chadwick — one of the fastest drivers in the world — was super interesting. Not easy being a strong female in a male-dominated sport.
What I’m Reading: 21 Valentine’s Day Gifts from Black-Owned Brands
I wanted to send my friend a little something for Love Day, and stumbled on a bunch of helpful shopping articles from Harper’s Bazaar on buying from Black-owned businesses (others include Black-owned skincare brands, Black-owned handbag brands). I may be going with the McBride Sisters wine myself, but there are a lot of good picks in here.
Gear I’m Loving: Puma Velocity Nitro
Looking for a good shoe to tackle some treadmill speed? This is a new one in my rotation! Found a pair of unworn sneakers still in their box under my bed earlier this week, and I’ve worn them twice since. The shoe feels super lightweight and zippy, and it has enough cushioning to keep me comfortable on middle-distance runs (let’s say, half marathon and below). It’s also a great option for getting outside, as it’s got what the brand calls a PUMAGRIP rubber outsole which gives stellar grip for all surfaces.
Quote I’m Loving: “Having discipline is the highest form of self-love” — Nneka Ogwumike, WNBA player for the Los Angeles Sparks (Spoiler: You’ll hear from her this Monday on the show.)
Shoutout to Hurdle’s newest sponsor, Priority Bicycles!
As we look to health in ‘22, a big part of that can be cycling. Not necessarily hardcore road or mountain bike riding, but incorporating cycling into our lives — like running errands, riding with the fam, or even commuting. The question is: Where to start? It can be intimidating shopping for bicycles, knowing what to get, being pressured into more than you need — and then there’s the stress of upkeep.
That’s where Priority Bicycles comes in. I’ve had my L-Train bike for two years now, and I love it! Priority was founded by cycling industry veterans who weren’t just thinking of how to make bikes faster and more techy but wanted to make bicycles that were easier to ride and maintain. All of their bicycles feature a “low maintenance” design. Their models are light and intuitive, have things like puncture resistant tires, and a carbon fiber belt drive instead of chain.
Get moving in style today. They are hooking up Hurdlers with $50 off their bike purchase using “HURDLE” at checkout. Click on over to PriorityBicycles.com/Hurdle and learn more.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: An Expert On How to Let Go Of Relationships
This is a really important conversation. It's a difficult conversation, too. Sometimes it's a friendship you've outgrown. Other times, it's a romantic relationship that just wasn't the thing. I'm calling in self-healing expert and mental health advocate Yasmine Cheyenne to give us the intel on how to navigate these tough moments with grace. We cover it all: How to know when to walk away, how to navigate the aftermath, the importance of grace and kindness, plus how to handle a situation where you may or may not run into each other.
🎧 NEW PODCAST EPISODE: 193. MyKayla Skinner, Gymnast & Olympic Silver Medalist
MyKayla Skinner has had a tough few years, and she’s managed to come out on top. For episode 193, I catch up with the Olympian about her road to Tokyo and what it was really like when Simone Biles had to take a back seat in 2021. We also talk about the physical and emotional toll that comes with being an elite athlete, and what it was like navigating back-to-back COVID and pneumonia pre-Games. Her perspective on letting go of outside perspectives and uncontrollable circumstances is such a good reminder.
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Another (weekly) Hurdle conquered. Catch you guys next week.
I'm with you on that Emily! My garage treadmill allows me to get miles in while the kids are sleeping, either in the morning or after they go to bed. For times when I'm the only adult in the house, yet still able to get some steps in, it's a game changer. Younger me would have though this to be inferior to outside miles... but certainly not today me! It's such a privilege.
I loved this, especially because I, too, have been stuck doing lots of treadmill runs lately for fear of doing a banana peel slip on the ice outside-and oh boyyy can it be tedious sometimes! I have actually been feeling some frustration, however, because I don't feel that the distance my running watch records and the distance stated on the treadmill ever line up (like, not even close) and my effort levels also feel totally different when I'm running on the treadmill. That makes it tough to know if I got anywhere close to completing a long run for my training, for example. Do you have any insight about which tracker (watch or treadmill) to trust, and if there's a way to calibrate either so they might be more accurate in recording distance and speed during an inside run? Thank you for all of the other great tips you included in the newsletter today!