Treadmills You Say?

My dance card’s starting to fill up, gang. I’m not sure how I’m going to work in my weekly 35-40 miles AND tend to my mounting responsibilities.

Enter the daunting task of time management. What portion of the day (or night) do I shave off to free up more time for my morning runs? Do I get up earlier (groan)? Do I stay up later (groan)? Or — do I invest in a treadmill (hmmm)? I know I was knocking them five posts ago, but again … hmmmm. Let’s think this thing through.

A treadmill would certainly consolidate things. Those pre-dawn jaunts would become no more dangerous than a trip to the fridge. I could get up fling a whole grain waffle in the toaster oven for my dude and get a mile or two in before he’s done with breakfast. He could eat and I could run. Problem solved

But what would he say about this if he could talk?

The conversation (while I was on this treadmill and he was eating breakfast) might go something like this:

Him: Dad?

Me: Yeah?

Him: Nice high chair.

Me: It’s not a chair, it’s a treadmill. It’s a time saver and I can run in inclement weather. It’s perfect for my busy schedule.

Him: What’s weather and since when do you need a high chair?

Me: It’s a treadmill, and cardiovascular fitness is improved at a similar rate whether you run on a treadmill or outside on the road or track. The treadmill provides many added benefits for runners, including injury prevention, safety, convenience and improved exercise adherence.

Him: Great — You got any of those Kix cereal jobbers mom gives me.

Me: Good point, son. I’ll take that into consideration.

Well, that settles it. I’d like some Kix cereal.

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Running with Redding cont.

Some passions will eventually require laser surgery

As a lot of you know, I’m a fan of Otis Redding. I must admit, though — his music has never found its way into my running routine.

I tried to change that today and was met with frustrating results: it just wasn’t happening. Redding was a balladeer, and crooners historically make for bad workout companions. I did get a surge from a few of his songs, however. It’s important to note that I didn’t include two of his campier classics: “Mary’s Little Lamb” and “Stay in School,” because I couldn’t find them on YouTube. They definitely would have made this list.

• That’s What My Heart Needs –pitter-patter
• Satisfaction— better than the original
• Pain in My Heart— To those of you still lamenting the downfall of Rage Against the Machine; sappy does not necessarily equal crappy.
• Toots and the Maytals –Dreams to Remember— Redding wrote this song with his wife, Zelma. Toots picked up the tempo and offered up a superb cover. I believe some of you will remember the original version from the cinematic gem Dream a Little Dream, starring Coreys; Feldman and Haim.

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Running with Redding

I’m about to brave the snow with nothing but Otis Redding playing on my iPod. This is no playlist … yet. When I get back, I’ll let those of you who are fans of the Big “O” in on my findings. Those of you who aren’t might want to take notes as well.

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