Getting Back on the Dreadmill (Day One of a New/Old Running Journey)

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Essential Gear for Me When I Run

Getting back on the dreadmill IG

I have mentioned several times already that I am a runner (sometimes).  Well, I didn’t run for almost 2 months, and I can feel it.

I gained weight.  I have aches and pains that I should not have.  I am winded easier than I was 2 months ago.  I messed up.

I also promised Isaiah (my son) that I would start running with him.  He loves to run and he is very fast.  He’s capable of outrunning and outpacing kids 3-4 years older than him.

I did not set a timetable for when I would start running with him.  Despite that, I failed.

I don’t really have a good reason for stopping but I stopped.  I guess I got busy.  It was Summer and I was hanging out with the kids.  I launched a new blog and made some transitions professionally.  I have been busy.  Bad excuse.

Today I got back on the dreadmill for the first time in approximately two months.  I knew I was not going to be able to do what I was doing before I stopped.

I was running 3 plus miles and walking another 2 plus miles every other day.  I got to 6 miles total a few times.  And then I stopped.

Alright, time to let it go.  This is my accountability.  This blog will hold me accountable for maintaining my cardio.

Today I walked at 3.7 miles for 20 minutes and ran at 5.5 mph for 10 minutes.  There were another 10 minutes of cool down walking, but I am not counting that.  I need to meet or beat this mark for the next week at least.

I wanted to talk about what is essential for me to do the cardio portion of my exercise.   I mostly do cardio with a little bit of lifting and body weight exercises.  Today was just cardio.

Here’s my essential cardio workout list.

My sneakers are ASICS Men’s Gel-Cumulus 19 Running-Shoes.  When I walk or run my feet roll inward.  They call this overpronation.

I love Under Armour but their sneakers did not hold up with my overpronation.  I did some research.  I came back with New Balance and Asics.  I am not a fan of New Balance so Asics it is.

I have had these sneakers since March (almost 6 months now), and they have been great.  No issues at all.

I wear a step tracker/heart rate monitor.  Right now I use a Samsung Gear S3 Frontier.  I am aware that the heart rate will not be accurate without a chest strap but it gives me a good indication of where I am at.

It is fairly accurate for rested heart rage and that’s really what I am interested in measuring anyway.

For counting steps, it does a good job.  It’s very close to the number of steps that I do take when walking or running.

I can also control my phone from my watch.  Skipping songs is much easier from my watch when I am running.

Compression socks.  Because of the overpronation and other hip and leg issues that pop up sometimes I often have pain in my calves and knees after cardio.  Compression socks help with this tremendously.

I have found several brands of compression socks that work very well. I prefer Copper Fit though.

C4 Pre Workout.  This gives me the extra push I need, especially when I am feeling sluggish. The one I use is the fat burning version.  I definitely feel this kick in.

Unlike most people, I do not take it 20-30 minutes before working out.  I take it and immediately start working out.

I typically start out with a fast walk to loosen up my muscles.  By the time I am done with my walk the C4 kicks in.

Beats Bluetooth Headphones.  Before Bluetooth headphones, I can’t tell you how many times I accidentally ripped my phone from the treadmill tray and sent it flying to the floor.  These headphones are a phone saver.

Check out all the Beats Bluetooth Headphones on Amazon>>>

Gatorade Post Workout Protein Shake.  This also helps with muscle soreness.  I really look forward to drinking one of these rights after I finish on the treadmill.  I get the protein I need for muscle growth and it helps prevent soreness, which I surely experience after getting back on the treadmill for the first time in 2 months.

This is apparently a hot item on Amazon because I cannot find it a lot of the time.  I wrote a blog post about it a while ago.  You can read it here.  

Hold Me Accountable

Here’s my performance today

Walk 20 minutes at 3.7 mph

Walk 5 minutes at 2.3 mph

Run 10 minutes at 5.5 mph

Walk 5 minutes at 3.3 mph

Walk to and back from Isaiah’s bus stop.  Approximately ½ mile round trip

I will set goals soon.  I want to weigh in this Monday.  Endurance and Heart Rate are important measurements for me.

Day One Done.

Getting back on the dreadmill

 

22 replies
  1. Melissa
    Melissa says:

    I love to use my treadmill. I have a neuromuscular disease that prevents too much walking, but love it when i can. It is broken right now and I have to get my hubby to help me fix it! 🙁

  2. Ally
    Ally says:

    For me, I need a solid playlist otherwise the run won’t happen. I also always tell myself that the faster I run the faster I’ll be done! lol

  3. Joanna
    Joanna says:

    I need to get back to the gym as well, I miss it so much. I did move and so far I didn’t find a gym that has group programs such as the one in my old town. I love working out in groups. Unfortunately, I can’t run at all.

  4. Nessy
    Nessy says:

    I use Garmin to track my speed and distance. And it also serves as a heart monitor, too. 🙂 I think having wearable gadgets can really help motivate someone who’s starting out with her fitness journey (meaning me). Or I’m probably doing my best to justify the dollars that I spent on it. 😛 Good luck, Scott!

  5. Heidi
    Heidi says:

    Congrats on finishing day 1! It’s so hard to get started again when you get off your routine. I’m in the same boat. Keep going, and so will I!

  6. Laurie Gannon
    Laurie Gannon says:

    Yay, Scott!!! It’s great that you are starting up on the dreadmill again after taking a couple of months off. It’s not easy at all. I need to get my 10k training plans together for January. I haven’t tried a pre-workout drink before other than Nuun. Usually, I hate the taste of the drinks. I wonder if I would like the C4?

  7. Wendy
    Wendy says:

    I’m new to using the treadmill and I find it fun to use. I like how it’s timing your runs, it motivates me to move. A good playlist will definitely help!

  8. Casey
    Casey says:

    I used to run outside but it seems my knees are really not having it. I changed my regular workout inside a gym on a treadmill and it seems so much better. I can continuously workout on it for 60mins without stopping. Of course as you said on other comments that playlist is also an important factor when I’m on it. All the best!

    • sgombar
      sgombar says:

      Running outside is a lot harder for sure, especially on roads with traffic, and in the heat wave we are in right now.

  9. Jennifer L
    Jennifer L says:

    Oh wow thanks fo the gear recommendations. My dad’s been needing a new pair of running shoes but wasn’t sure where to start. I’ll definitely be checking the Ascis for sure.

  10. Blair Villanueva
    Blair Villanueva says:

    I’m glad I visited your page and I think this post is beneficial to my boyfriend! Will share it to him!

  11. Nati
    Nati says:

    Kudos for getting back on your training! It is very important to be healthy 🙂 I have re-started working out with weighs about two months ago and my progress has been surprising! I shall take a closer look to this protein supplement as I seem to need one too.

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