Tag: treadmill

BibRave, Product Review, Run!

Get Your Zwift On

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Disclaimer: I received an entry to Oakland Running Festival as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

Did you know I have a gym membership?

Yep, for the last 7 years or so. I’m the type of customer they love, I pay monthly but only show up 4 or 5 times a year. Luckily my membership is less than 20 bucks and work reimburses it so it makes it really easy to ignore it. But I hate the treadmill, only need it for emergencies i.e. weather above 105. At least that’s what I thought.

I received a Zwift foot pod to try out through Bibrave and it turns out I like the treadmill- I just hate the gym. Who wants to hook me up with a treadmill?

Zwift is an app built for cyclists and runners to liven up their time on the bike trainer or the treadmill while getting in training miles that they can’t do outside. The app creates virtual running routes where an avatar version of you goes for a run. You can go solo while others are out for rides and runs around you. You can join planned events. You can plan meetups with friends across the country. It’s like a video game where you are the main player.

Now here’s where it gets tricky- there are actually two apps. Zwift and the Zwift Companion. The main Zwift app shows the route and metrics as you run. You can use your phone, tablet or laptop. The Zwift Companion app shows all the upcoming events you can jump in on, runners/ cyclists you can follow and gives you ways to chat or cheer on other runners while they run. However that might require 2 devices.

I have run virtually around London, through a volcano in Zwift world of Watopia and around beaches and mountains in Watopia. Other famous cities are also available. I have run more on the treadmill in the last month even being sick than I have in the last 2 years.

I love the app. That being said, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing. My foot pod and I don’t always see eye to eye. On one run it will be fine and on the next run, it’s about a mile behind. I’m not using Zwift to track my overall mileage so it’s not a deal breaker it’s just kind of frustrating when your pace is right there in front of you and so off what the treadmill says. Sometimes my avatar just stops and chills for a bit. I may take photo breaks on outdoor runs but not treadmill runs! I did notice on my last run that my shoelaces bounce off the foot pod sometimes. It made me wonder if the pod was sensitive enough to be confused by my shoelaces. My run this week will have me lacing my shoes in a different way.

Another thing that didn’t really work for me was the timing of the group runs. There are a variety of group runs and workouts available but with me being on the West Coast and my work schedule, most of them happen when I am at work. The ones that don’t happen during work hours happen around 3:00 AM in the morning and I haven’t started liking the treadmill enough to give up sleep. I did try to jump in on a Zwift Academy Tri 5K race but I was 10 minutes late and no hope of catching up with the speedy folks. A few more later options would be nice.

I really do like using Zwift. I have big plans for this year so anything that gets me running more in the dark Winter months is a plus in my book.

Want to try out Zwift? Come run with me!
Use code BibRave15 for 15% off (valid on first 1000 pods only)

BibRave, Run!, Training

Big Sur Marathon Training-Week 3

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

If I had one word to describe this week, it would be ouch.

If I used more words, ouch would likely be followed by a couple of colorful expletives and then some more ouch.

Work was stressful and busy.  I ran but it didn’t go well.   I bought new running shoes, oh and I cut most of my hair off.  Surprise!

The plan-

Week 3

Life-

Monday- PT/3 miles It was a day off from work and part of me really wanted to run the 6 miles of speed work that was on the plan for the week.  Part of me was also really feeling the 15 miles I had put on them in the previous 2 days and wanted a rest day.  I compromised and stuck with the plan and headed out for 3.    I should have gone with the rest.  My legs were not having it.   Not even turning to my long run run/walk intervals helped.   I probably shouldn’t have run the same day I had a PT appointment with traction.  I ended up just walking it in.

Tuesday- Rest Insanely busy work day plus I was listening to my legs.

Wednesday- 2 miles Another busy day and mentally, I did not think I could handle the treadmill. I changed into my running clothes at work but was talking myself out of it the entire drive home.  I was thisclose to bailing entirely but instead I parked my car and a headed out for a dark few miles.  Things were a little stiff but I chalked it up to all the uneven sidewalks I have to run on at night and figure I run a little differently in the dark.

Thursday- 4 miles -400’s On the lake path, my typical 400 pace ranges from 7:55-8:15.  On this night, due to some very poor treadmill math, I was running these 400’s around 9:45.  And they were kicking my ass.  I normally love 400’s.  Not tonight.  My legs and back were not agreeing with the treadmill at all.    I called it at 4 miles because an ache in my upper left leg started to turn into pain.  I hate treadmills.  Particularly bouncy ones.

Friday- Rest/ PT exercisesI wore compression socks all days and my for the most part, I felt ok.

Saturday- 9 miles/ PT exercises I wanted 11, should have quit at 5.  The plan was to run from home, do my 11 and finish at the high school where my mother was having tennis practice then she would give me a ride.  I was super achy and stiff the first 2 miles but sometimes it can take until mile 4 for me to loosen up so I kept running.   By mile 5, the aches had turned into straight up pain and I knew I was in trouble.   So I took a shortcut and hobble-ran my way to the high school stopping occasionally to stretch as best as I could.  Once home, I iced, and stretched and foam rolled as much as I could.

Sunday- Rest  I did wander around SLO and do some shopping.  My left leg is still not to happy but I was able to walk without pain.  But certain muscles and bones are making their presence known if that makes sense.  I stopped in at the Running Warehouse and made the leap into a new pair of shoes.  I’m moving around too much in the Adidas right now no matter how many pairs of socks I wear.  Fingers crossed these help.

18.19 miles for the week.  5 short of where I should be.  But it’s early days and I am not going to freak out yet.  No, I am not.  If I repeat it enough, it’s true right?

How was your week?

Run!

Rambling On 26

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

As long as I’m doing the things in my 2018 post, it’s cool if it’s not posted until almost February, right?? Asking for a friend. 😂

This week, man. Seems like I can’t do anything right. Running has been ok… other stuff? Not so much.

We’re taking employee pictures this week and can I just say that is so much harder than a running selfie? I’m like suck it in… wait, too much, now my neck looks scary, wth. Smile but not too big… does this look professional? Then a customer asked why we were all wearing black. Apparently we all think alike. 😛

My back and the treadmill are not friends. Nope. Why is daylight savings in March?

Another thing I’m not doing well this week? Sleep. As I type this, it’s past midnight. 4th time this week. Gotta love those can’t sleep nights.

On that note, maybe I should try to sleep and dream of the tri tip lunch that will be Friday’s treat. Good fuel for a long run weekend right?

What are you up to this weekend?

Run!, Training

Week 51- Christmas Slacking

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

In more ways than one. 😛😛

Last week was a little chaotic.   Work was super busy, I was running behind on all things Christmas and I received some not great news about that job interview I had a few weeks ago.    I admit I fell into a cranky funk for a few days but I climbed out of the hole and perked up.  I think….maybe I should get a second opinion on that.

Monday- Christmas shopping.  With barely anything to wrap- this was necessary.   Crossed some things off my list but not much.

Tuesday- Cookie baking!  And eating a few too many.  Also planned. Well, maybe not how many I ate.  Oh and my PT exercises.

Wednesday- Missed run.  My replacement bed was delivered and once again, Pops was there for the delivery.    Instead of running I headed home to take the family out to dinner.

Thursday- 3.3 milesOn the treadmill!!!  Holy crap, who am I? And it wasn’t miserable!    I warmed up with plenty of walking as the treadmill always makes me achy and then I worked on focusing on my cadence.  Both to see if I could improve my average number and if it would help with the on again, off again shin pain.  Partial success to both!  What was not cool was that Monsters Inside Me was once again on the TV in front of me.  Why?!?!?!

Friday-Work My hopes for a calm day were not granted.

Saturday- Missed run.  I had planned on a 6 mile run longish run for the week and scheduled my day accordingly.  However that schedule had me running in the afternoon because I wanted to sleep in.  Which was all fine until my brother decided to take my mother and I to the movies and dinner.    Instead I enjoyed yummy food and walked out of theater with a strange fascination with Adam Driver.  Someone send help.  😛

Sunday- Christmas Eve  Try as I might, I could not get the motivation up to go for a run.   So other than some errands- why did I not grocery shop before Christmas Eve?????- I spent the day with family relaxing and lounging.

So yeah, 3.3 miles for the week.    I’m not going to say ouch because I chose to miss those 2 runs.  I chose dinner and the movies and family time over the runs and I’m ok with that.

How was your week?

How was your Christmas?

Run!, Training

Week 44 Training Recap

Fallon @ Slacker Runner

Training for-

  • Paso Harvest Marathon 13.1
  • Golden Gate Half

So I started titling my weekly recaps like this back in January but took a little break during marathon training.  The weekly numbers are starting to drag on me.  I need figure out another way to do this.  Good thing it’s almost 2017!   Ouch, did I just say that?

This week saw me back on the dreadmill and it almost broke me.   I don’t know if I can do that 2 nights a week until spring.   I may have to get over my mountain lion fear.  Well, and the fear of what’s hiding in the dark when you run at night.    To that end, I bought a new pair of reflective leggings this week and I am hunting down all my blinking lights.   I think I have them stashed in odd places.  My flashlight also needs new batteries.  Who said running was a cheap sport? 😛


Monday-2.3 miles  The plan called for an easy 30 minute recovery run.  Oh man, my calves were stiff.   I walked more than I would have liked which meant I barely hit 3 miles in 30 minutes.  Ouch.   At least I was able to enjoy the view.


Tuesday- Rest I spent some time with my foam roller but probably not enough.   I can’t remember if I did anything else. 😛


Wednesday- 4 miles  Son of a treadmill.  The plan was for a 7 mile run- some warm up and cool down with mile repeats at half marathon pace.  Ha!   I hate treadmills but I was trying to be optimistic.   I couldn’t even pull off one mile at pace.  My calves were tight and would not loosen up. I paused the treadmill so many times to try and stretch them out.   At one point, I stretched so long the damn treadmill reset itself.  I finally decided that I was doing more harm than good and called it.  I was still pissed though so I cranked the incline to 7 and power walked it out.  Things finally loosened up.   So what, all my treadmill dates this winter will power walking at an incline?

Thursday- Rest  I was still feeling sore from the day before so not much happened.  I planned on jumping on the bike for a few miles but I didn’t.  Oops.

Friday- Rest


Saturday- Rest  Oops.   I was supposed to do a 20-30 minute shakeout run.  This also would have worked great with the Alzheimer’s Walk that I was supposed to participate in and yet neither happened.  I took my car in for some tire work and planned on doing the shakeout run then except they moved at lightning pace and I did not have time.    After a few errands, I headed to pick up my packet for the Harvest Half.   I was nervous.  This is the first time in 4 years that I haven’t volunteered to work it and it was the first time in 6 years that I was running it again.   I ran the 5k years ago.   This was also my first race with BibRave so I a little anxious.

They moved the expo into town this year and livened it up with a few vendor booths, some live music and a dinner in the park.   I have to give them points for effort.  There were only 2 vendors- Costco and a local gym.   The tri tip smelled amazing though.  I headed home to eat dinner and try to get a decent night’s sleep.

Sunday- Harvest Half  To be continued…but ouch.

How was your week?

Any tips on making the treadmill less miserable?