We gave it an honest try… but when my feet were soaking .1 miles into the warm-up, I changed my plans and decided I was going to do the speed portion on the treadmill.
But the 3.8 miles out in this with friends was fun (and cold).
I really don’t use the treadmill that often, so when I need one, I’ll just hit up the gym (and maybe someday get the Peloton treadmill;).
That little fan on this gym treadmill was quite powerful and appreciated.
The joy of having a coach= The workout was a 4-mile tempo + 4 x 200m intervals. When I hit mile 2 of the tempo, I so badly wanted to turn the workout into 2 x 2 miles because I was so tired but I didn’t because I had someone to report back to.
4 miles @ 6:32 average + 4 x 200m (5:30 pace) and then a cooldown outside. I’m really not feeling like my ‘tigger’ (my mom’s nickname for me) self lately, so I’m getting some bloodwork done but maybe it’s just the weather/vitamin d thing?!
Beck is in the stage where he pulls us to wherever he wants to go.
Knox’s impersonation of me:
We finished off the day with Andrew making us chocolate chip cookies.
And let’s be real, I ate the dough while chatting with you all:)
You could only have cookie dough or baked cookies for the rest of your life… which would you choose?
What do you think… is the treadmill harder or easier than running outside?
-HARDER!
What’s your workout or run today?
46 comments
emily l
Um, this is possibly the hardest question you’ve ever asked! I love both cookies and cookie dough, but I feel like I’d get tired of cookie dough way sooner than I would cookies, so I guess I choose cookies. :) I do a lot of treadmill runs do to our heat & humidity in Louisiana, and I always think they are harder than outdoor runs. Mentally they require more energy for sure and I always feel like I should be going faster than I am (based on my effort). My outdoor run paces are always better and easier than the treadmill. Today’s workout for me is a rest day because I’m working late, so I’m just going to do a Peloton foam roll class. Happy Thursday, Janae!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hahah I am so sorry for the hard question, I won’t actually make you choose. I’m so with you, the treadmill requires more mental energy (I feel like I’m counting seconds the whole time). I’m so glad you have one to save you during those hot and humid months. I should totally try a peloton foam roll class… you are SO smart. Thanks Emily, you too!
Molly S
I hope you find something that can help make you feel more upbeat.
Baked cookies all the way. I freeze baked chocolate chip cookies and pull them out to eat randomly and they taste more like cookie dough this way. Thin buttery cookies work best.
I can talk about cookies for hours but I’ll just end on this topic by saying that I’m glad that Christmas cookies are over with so chocolate chip cookies can reign supreme for the next 11 months.
I have an easy run tonight since I did hill repeats as my workout yesterday.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you! Andrew might just take me down to St. George next week to get some sun in my eyes ha. Off to go freeze some of our baked cookies, love that you do that. I’m with you… chocolate chip > all cookies (besides chocolate/peppermint ones in December). Hahah you are hilarious. Way to get in those hill repeats yesterday!
Mariah
Treadmill is so much harder!! I don’t know why I can’t hit the same paces on the treadmill without feeling significantly more tired. But I did a peloton treadmill workout yesterday (on a regular treadmill, I don’t have a peloton one either) and that motivated me a lot!
My workout today was a 30 min bike workout from the peloton app. 2000s pop and it was amazing.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Yes and yes… my paces outside are always faster. I need to try out a Peloton treadmill workout next time I get on a treadmill. Way to get in that bike workout today, 2000s pop is truly the best. Happy Thursday, Mariah!
Lee
The treadmill is definitely harder. I changed my work schedule so that I work from home on running days so that the majority of my running is outside. I have a treadmill and l love it but outside is so much easier -even with all of the hills where I live. I’m working from home today so I’m doing an outside run of 6.33 miles. It’s an odd distance but I can’t seem to do the math to get it to be an even number when I get to the bottom of my driveway. I hate math so I don’t bother trying anymore.
It’s crazy how much it snows in some places.
Have a good day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I am so happy you were able to arrange your work schedule better so you can get in those outdoor miles. I think 6.33 miles sounds perfect because 3 +3 = 6;). Skip the math and keep doing those odd distances with all of those hills. Thanks friend, you too!
Jennifer
I’m kind of a fan of running on the treadmill. I usually run outside, but sometimes I don’t mind taking it to the treadmill if the weather is bad. Especially if I have a workout to do and its not just easy running, which I find pretty boring to do on a treadmill. I just got the peloton tread last week! I’ve only done one run on it and it was pretty fun.
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank goodness for treadmills! They sure save us when they need it. I need a full review on it after you have tried it for a bit (I’m quite jealous;)! Happy Thursday, Jennifer!
Janet Voelpert
Agreed the treadmill especially the Peloton is harder. Garmin watch gives me a faster pace while on.
Please get checked out seems like you may need some boost with all you do. Not surprised.
Good luck
jan
The Hungry Runner Girl
Interesting that your Garmin shows a faster pace… I swear all treadmills aren’t calibrated correctly! Thank you, it’s not possible to sleep more than I already do ha so something must be off. Hope you have a beautiful day, Jan!
Jenny
Easy: Cookie dough!
Treadmill running is feeling easier BUT, when I go outside and run at the same perceived effort, I’m always at least a minute faster. I don’t know ha.
Two random questions:
What detergent do you use for your workout clothes?
Lately my feet feel numb/tingly at the balls of my feet and toes, usually 3/4 miles in. I am coming off a serious Peloton streak so my “without trying” mileage is lower than it used to be but I feel like I could double what I’m doing if not for this feet thing! Everything else feels good, you know? It’s gone as soon as I stop running. Have you ever had/heard of that? My shoes feel so comfortable so I don’t know what to look for on that front. I’m going to hit our running store soon, but do you have any thoughts?
I hope your blood work leads you to some answers. I can relate to that feeling. I take anxiety medicine and have hypothyroidism and sometimes it just feels like, “why am I in a funk?” Lots of hug energy for you! I try to normalize my struggles with that for my kids – like I’m taking this medicine bc my body needs it or checking my thyroid levels because I haven’t been feeling myself. Unrelated to the yucky feeling but I think it’s great your kids will see you going straight to a physician/np/whoever to get help when something feels off.
Enjoy your day!!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Hey Jenny! I hope you get some cookie dough soon! I just use the Tide detergent from Costco, I wish I had a better one to recommend. I do not have experience with your numb/tingly feet… would you mind if I asked this question on a blog post to see if anyone could help you that has had the same problem. I am so sorry you are dealing with this. Thank you for sharing that with me, that funk is real and I love that you normalize it with your kids. I need to do the same… so they realize when they are adults that they aren’t alone in this struggle. Really, thanks for sharing and have a beautiful day!
Jenny
I don’t mind at all! I’ll take any help I can get. With nice weather right around the corner, I just want to figure it out so I can enjoy the outdoor running soon :)
The Hungry Runner Girl
Absolutely! I’ll put it in tomorrow’s post!
Kari
Omg Jenny I have this exact same tingly/numb feeling! It just started a couple months ago and I assumed it was my new shoes but it has happened in every pair I try now, including ones I had before it started! Sorry I don’t have any answers for you. I can only offer solidarity and confusion. Maybe Janae’s crowd sourcing will help us!
Amy S
Hi Janae! Hope the blood work shows an easy fix! Treadmill is so much harder cuz it’s usually warmer inside too! My husband and I are off for a run together now!
Have an awesome day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you, Amy! VALID POINT… and I am not great in the heat so that makes a lot of sense. I hope you two have the best run together. I love that you run together. Thanks, Amy! You too!
Beth
I was going to ask if you had your treadmill anymore since you never seemed to use it. I love that you gave it to your dad, so he could use it. I am in the stage of life where my basement treadmill saves my life. My husband works insane hours so 4 am runs on the treadmill are a staple for me. I think the treadmill is easier physically but WAY harder mentally.
Did the kids have the day off school or can you just pop up after they get out? That would be a dream, we live a little over an hour from our resort but ski traffic can make it MUCH longer.
I hope you figure out what’s going on soon and get that tiger back!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank goodness for treadmills, there have been so many seasons in life that it was the only way I could run. I am so grateful you have your treadmill. And 4 am… you are my hero. We grabbed them at lunch since their grandpa was with us but there are days we go up right after school. Sundance is the easiest to get to… I’m scared we will someday get that ski traffic that all of the other canyons have. I hope your ski traffic dies down a bit. Thank you, Beth! Have a beautiful day!
Katie A
Oh my goodness, fresh chocolate chip cookies are the BEST! Go Andrew!
Treadmill is way harder. Also, I’m impressed that you moved your treadmill. Once we moved our treadmill into our new house, I told my husband it has to stay there forever. We had 4 people moving it in & it was crazy heavy! Maybe we have an extra heavy one, but if it ever needs to be moved, we’re hiring movers!
We have sketchy conditions here too (ice!), so I am going to head out a little later for my run, in hope it will be slushy by then. The joy of having a flexible day for once! Plus indoor strength session at home after.
PS, I found the blueberry scones recipe in Shalane’s cookbook, & am for sure making it next week. They look so yummy!
Have a beautiful day!
The Hungry Runner Girl
They really are insanely heavy! My brother-in-law brought a few guys to help! I don’t think ours will ever leave my parents basement after that. Hahah you are smart, hire the movers for that! I hope you got a little sunshine for your run today too. Let me know what you think of the scones, they are so good! Have a great strength session too!
Erica
Thinking about you, and hope you can get some answers.
Tigger will return in time I know it!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Thank you, Erica! Sure looking forward to being Tigger again! Have a beautiful day!
Wendy
Baked cookies all the way! I can only eat a little cookie dough.
I am so impressed with your flip over Knox! Thank goodness for the fresh powder to help make your landing a little softer. It’s so nice that you all are able to get to the slopes quickly to ski. So fun!
I know I have said this a lot, but thanks to the Peloton app, I enjoy the treadmill! It’s funny… The last few weeks running outside has felt more difficult to me. But I think it’s because I can’t pace myself, ha ha.
Today’s workout is some sort of treadmill run, followed by my Barre strength class. I am really loving my Tuesdays and Thursdays because of this.
Have a great Thursday Janae 😊
The Hungry Runner Girl
I hope you get some baked cookies asap! Hahah it was so scary but Knox thought I was cool after so a win;). SERIOUSLY… the peloton app just makes everything so fun! Keep enjoying those Tuesdays and Thursdays. I love it! Thanks, and I hope you do too!
Moni
Hi Janae :)
the photos of the mountains and of the snow make me so happy! Utah is beautiful :)
I have been feeling under the weather for months and I got bloodwork done yesterday. Let’s see what comes up, I hope it’s an easy fix. I am wondering if your under the weather feeling has something to do with you having been so sick? Sometimes it takes a while for the body to get back on its feet after an infection…
Have a nice day! I am going out for a short run today. I am recovering from an illness, a minor knee injury and heartbreak so I will be taking it slow for a while
The Hungry Runner Girl
That is SUCH a good point. I forgot all about how sick I was last month and you are right, it sometimes takes forever to get out of our systems. I really hope that you get some answers for an easy fix for you… I am so sorry you have been feeling this way for so long. That is so hard. Keep me updated and I’m always here if you need to talk. Thinking about you, Moni.
Loribeth
cookie dough. always cookie dough.
I am actually getting rid of my treadmill this weekend. it seemed like a good idea at the time, and it was a gift, but it rarely gets use because it does feel harder and I would rather run in circles outside than treadmill it, ha! Living downtown next to miles of paved trails doesn’t hurt, either.
Today is a rest day, storms & rain, but we are going to try and spot the sandhill cranes migrating thru TN!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Living next to miles and miles of paved trails = heaven:). Enjoy that rest day and seeing those cranes, I would love to see that (eat some cookie dough while you watch)!
Tess
THAT PIC ON THE LIFT. The mountains are unreal right now, I hope you frame that pic! Also, I don’t feel like the winter weather typically affects me that much (I’m a cold weather person for sure) but this year it definitely has, so you are not alone! I am trying to use my happy light (got a round one on amazon a couple of years ago) a lot and hope that it helps me.
Treadmill is definitely harder. But super gad I have one since I can’t typically get my run in until after work. The peloton one is so pretty and tempting though!
The Hungry Runner Girl
I really do need to frame that one. I swear we usually get more sunlight than we have this winter?! Of to go get a happy light… that is such a great idea. I am so glad you have a treadmill too! Let’s both get the peloton one one of these days:). I hope we see some sun today. Have a wonderful day, Tess and thanks for sharing with me… we aren’t alone!
Kathy McElhaney
Pro tip if you like cookie dough ice cream – freeze some of your cookie dough in small balls then add to ice cream. You’re welcome ;)
I definitely think the treadmill is harder than outside – no downhill running!
I took a much needed rest day today.
The Hungry Runner Girl
That is the best pro tip I have ever received. Thank you! YES, and I love that downhill running ha. Enjoy that rest day and I hope you have a beautiful Thursday!
Mel B
I am with the majority: Treadmill is more difficult (esp mentally!)
Hope your bloodwork is helpful to figure stuff out!!! I have tried running/lifting whilst anemic before and it was SO HARD!!! And almost impossible to run uphill. Once I saw my ferritin levels were low, my fatigue made sense.
(Keira D’Amato has also talked about her struggles with low iron/ferritin and other vitamins, even though she incorporates them in her diet.)
https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Daily/Issues/2022/04/11/Technology/slowed-by-anemia-runner-keira-damato-used-insidetrackers-blood-biometrics-to-help-her-become-americas-fastest-woman-marathoner
The Hungry Runner Girl
Mel, I cannot thank you enough for sharing your story and this article with me. Maybe I should try insidetracker instead of going in for blood work?? I’m hoping it all makes sense why I feel so fatigued! I hope you have a beautiful day and never have to deal with anemia again!
Sarah
I had this issue too! I got blood work done and my iron levels were pretty low so my doctor recommended iron pills…ever since taking them I have felt so much better! I used to go through periods where I wondered if I had depression but I don’t get those anymore. Of course I still get sad or bored or whatever sometimes but its never the extreme lows that it used to be. I would recommend a doctor over inside tracker, but I’m also super weird about giving out my data to any company. Iron can be really finicky – some people should take it every day, others 3-4x per week, others not at all!
Kerianne Holman
Baked cookies; podcasts + obsessively watching my HR using maffetone method 😆 has made treadmill running a lot easier for me than before. 43 minutes at HR 140 today! Please let us know what you learn, could be instructive for all of us. I hope that you feel back to yourself soon! Love your blog.
Stacey
I remember reading your blog back when you LOVED the treadmill and would use it almost daily. I still think of you every time I’m hating life on the ‘mill. “Janae loves this thing, I can learn to love it, too.” haha!
I live in one of the most overcast cities in the US and get so affected by this time of the year. Most people who live here have low vitamin D, and just the darkness itself can be so draining. I hope you feel like yourself soon!
My training for Boston has kinda gone out the window lately. We got a puppy over New Year’s and I’m no longer able to leave the house at 4am for a run because pup will whine the whole time I’m gone. So, I too have gotten creative with the treadmill, and running later in the day if my husband is home. I’m excited for Boston, but understand it won’t be the raced I had hoped for. But life is always more important than races for me and I wouldn’t trade Walter (isn’t that a cute name?) in for all the miles in the world!).
AmandaM
Cookie dough! I feel very strongly about this and needed to comment :-) happy day to you Janae!
kelly
Treadmill is harder but I shouldn’t be a strong judge, as I maybe run on one once a year. If I had one, I think I’d use it more, especially when it’s nuts hot outside or when we have a wind warning. That being said, I once did 14 miles on a treadmill and didn’t think it was that hard (I ran 7 miles on one treadmill, then when the time was up I moved over one and got a whole new view ;) )
Baked cookies forever. I fully admit I get sketched out by dough (but I do love it, but can’t do it!)
Have you tried a sun lamp in the winter? You could prop one up on your table when you read or are having a snack/meal. My boyfriend has to use one in the winter as we do not get a lot of sunshine now that it’s not as snowy over here in Germany.
Today I set out to run whatever my legs felt like (with a minimum goal of 5km) during a lunch break from professional development day. When I got back to the building I was at 6.6 miles so did an extra loop across the street to round it to 7 miles. I was pretty darn happy but then had to run inside, throw on a down vest and run upstairs so my group could do a presentation a few minutes later!
I hope you feel better soon!
Marissa
Cookie dough all the way!
The treadmill is definitely harder, but the Peloton app makes it a little more bearable.
Today’s workout will be the Peloton bike and strength after work today!
Warren Footz
I would say both…I pretty much eat everything, is trying to not eat is the challenge…
I’ve been on a treadmill 5 times….but, I’ve gotta be outside.
Kristina
I don’t mean for this to sound negative or rude, so I hope it doesn’t come across that way, but it looks like you are doing *a lot* of physical activity right now with running and skiing and kid chasing, so maybe that’s why you’re not feeling quite as energetic and bouncy? I’m a former college runner, so I totally understand that it’s easy to think, oh this is all totally normal and why can’t my body keep up, but as an outsider reading your blog, your activity level looks really extreme. You’re basically at a professional runner level of training, and I hope that you’re also at a professional runner level of rest and recovery as well. Hope you feel back to normal soon!
The Hungry Runner Girl
Kristina, do not worry at all! It doesn’t sound rude. I am so grateful for any help I can get. That really is so true… it’s easy to say something must be wrong when it really could be our activity levels! I guess why I want to get blood work done is because I am used to running more mileage than I am now while doing all of the other stuff (hence, my mom calling me Tigger haha). Who knows though… It could also be my good;) decision to run 3 marathons last year (probably shouldn’t do that again) or life stressors in the last few weeks that I swear has aged me 10 years (the body keeps score!!). But you are so right, I need to take a look into my recovery. Better recovery + blood work with my doctor coming up + my wonderful therapist = I should be feeling better in no time! Have a beautiful weekend!