Dr. Isis is going to switch things up this week. She's already shared with you her new magenta racing shoes, but Dr. Isis made a trip today to her favorite shoe store and picked herself another hot little something.
Figure 1: Dr. Isis's winter time trainers. Avia A1202W available for $56.00 at Zappos.
Loyal worshipers of the domestic and laboratory goddess will remember that in the spring, summer, and fall, Dr. Isis likes to put shoe to pavement and engage in daily running. I have 3-14 mile courses plotted all over MRU and this past summer the living was easy and the running was great
The major problem is that as soon as the weather goes below 45-50 degrees, Dr. Isis retreats indoors. I really admire the people I see bundled up, jogging around MRU in the middle of the damned coldest winter my south of Colorado-raised self has ever experienced (the people around here tell me it's nothing). I think to myself occasionally what extreme bad asses they are and then think to myself, momentarily, that I would like to be as bad-assed as them. Then I remember how much I dislike having snot frozen to my face and wise the heck up. I've not really lived in a place before where I faced the prospect of an extended period of time where I couldn't run outside and I am losing my freakin' mind.
Figure 2: The view at MRU. Damn it.
So, one would assume that the logical course of action would be to retreat to the gym for the winter. I tried. Really I did. No, really. The issue is that my outdoor runs usually last 40-90 minutes and I have the attention span of a gerbil. I just cannot be on a treadmill, watching the bouncing rear of the person in front of me, for that long. So, the result has been that, up until recently, I have been as sedentary as one domestic and laboratory goddess can be without being completely immobile. Seriously, I can tell you that, until recently, my last workout was the 20th of November. It was a great one too. You know, before hell froze over.
My sedentary antics have been very, very, very bad for my emotional well-being. I will be the first to admit that I borderline raving lunatic when I don't get enough physical activity. Mr. Isis and my co-workers have both pointed out that in December I was more than two standard deviations above the mean for the number of times I completely lost my junk in a month. So, last week while I was in Arizona I managed to get in a few teaser runs and it gave me time to reflect on how badly I need the activity and that I need to make it a priority. My idea for how to survive this blasted winter is to do 30-40 minutes of some type of mind-numbing in the gym cardio so that I don't end up a deconditioned mess by spring time, and then take up weight training.
So far, I am one week in. It's going pretty well, except that my chesticles are really sore. Also, after doing some biceps today, pulling my pants up after I go to the bathroom hurts. If you see me in a skirt tomorrow, you'll know why. In the meantime, I fear I am already getting bored with my treadmill running and with the playlists on my iPod. Care to share your favorite running tracks with the group in the comments section? I imagine we could all use a little fresh motivation
For those of you with either the iron will to treadmill run or a nice enough climate that you're running outdoors, the Mother of all Scientists has posted a running challenge over at her site. I've shared with her my goal of running a marathon next year, if any of you whack-a-balloons care to join me. Now I just need the weather to cooperate.
Comments
When I used a treadmill, I read books and papers while running. This is really hard, though.
Posted by: Juniper Shoemaker | December 31, 2008 12:11 AM
Ever try swimming to mix things up a bit? Or Spinning?
Treadmills definitely do suck, here at home my parents have a treadmill and I've been forced to stare at a (awful) painting while I get some run time in. Years of distance swimming though has helped me deal with the bland surroundings. At SLAC I've run on the indoor track which is not as boring as a treadmill... but still boring (but you get to lap people...!)
Some songs on my current playlist: "Show me the money" by Petey Pablo, "Bleed it out" by Linkin Park (I have several other songs by them too including "Numb"), "Say This Sooner" by The Almost, "Disturbia" by Rhianna, "X amount of words" (the carmen rizzo remix) by Blue October, "From Yesterday" by 30 seconds to mars, "Flux" by Bloc Party, "How far we've come" by Matchbox Twenty, "Wasted"* by Cartel... and I should stop...
Marathons scare me, but I would totally be down for a triathlon....
*really really sad song, but good beat
Posted by: Eugenie | December 31, 2008 12:28 AM
As much as I've tried I am not a runner, hate running, and only do it when I have no other options. But I have the same issue regarding physical activity and sanity. My solution to this is ellipticals - I can run and read at the same time because the motion is not as jarring, so I'm not bored out of my gourd.
My other suggestion would be to take up ashtanga yoga, which is a great indoor total-body workout. I switch up my gym time with yoga and some swimming and manage to keep myself happy most of the time - if it's super nice out I might torture myself with a road run, but then I remember why I never do that and it's back to the gym.
Posted by: Liberal Arts Lady | December 31, 2008 2:20 AM
I sometimes switch it up between the track and the treadmill... but my real advice is podcasts. They don't rev you up like music, but they do help with the boredom.
My favorites are Savage Love and This American Life... I also listened to all of Harry Potter 7 on my mp3 player when I trained for my second half marathon... And if I get tired of hearing people talk, I switch back to music (I don't have any good suggestions there, I'm the only person I know who thinks Radiohead is good running music).
Posted by: Sarah | December 31, 2008 2:46 AM
I also have no attention span when it comes to running in the gym - not that I have done that since having a kid, moving and starting this job. Nevertheless, when I did, I usually needed new music to keep me entertained rather than listen to music I had heard a hundred times. In that spirit, here's a list of good running music I am nearly positive you've never heard of:
"If Rap Gets Jealous"- K'naan
"Wear 'Em Out"- The Mohawk Lodge
"Lions for Scotie"- Hey Rosetta!
"Get Up"- Shad
"Headrush"- Hot Springs
"Unprotected Sex With Multiple Partners"- Against Me!
"Superstar"- Tegan & Sara
That's a pretty mixed bag, but you might find something you can use to ignore bouncing posteriors.
Posted by: prof-like substance | December 31, 2008 7:59 AM
Try running on a track instead of treadmill or jogging with Wii Fit. Or ice skating (inside). I do aerobics classes because they change up the music and and drill sergent instructor don't let you stop.
Posted by: Casz | December 31, 2008 8:47 AM
Just stick with it...I find that is always takes a couple weeks to build up that mental toughness to stay on the treadmill for a good workout. Whatever it takes to keep your mind engaged to get it done also helps (music, podcasts, books on tape, etc). You can also make up a "structured workout" on the treadmill...increase/decrease speed and incline...stuff like that.
After a month you'll be banging out 45-60 minute workouts realizing that you can't remember where the first 30 minutes went.
Posted by: broadbill | December 31, 2008 9:34 AM
If you can find a great spin instructor, spinning can take you over the winter hump. My instructor, who's in her 50's, was a competitive weight-lifter, and has a resting heart rate of 41(?!) swears that once you are a seasoned spinner you can burn 900+ calories per hour class. That's a pretty big chunk o change from your booty. (I should come clean tho -- if I don't land an R01 position my back-up plan is to be a spin instructor. Working early to lead people into their spin addictions...already using the term 'booty' which seems to be a necessity). Oh, also, different muscles are at play in spinning compared to running -- read some work recently that suggested a person couldn't be tops in both running and cycling due to competing stress on muscles...where was that??? You have likely seen this study!!
Posted by: gnuma | December 31, 2008 9:46 AM
And check this new website idea:
http://www.stickk.com/
A little kooky, but heck, the money goes to charity (or anti-charity (there are certain ones that would get my ass off the couch)).
Posted by: gnuma | December 31, 2008 9:56 AM
I just took up jogging (well, wogging) at the age of 50. I did my first 5k on Thanksgiving Day (yay me) and now am the proud owner of a Nano. All my training has been on a treadmill. I am happy to be able to have my own music now, it really makes a difference to the boringness quotient. I just put Benny Goodman and Yes on the nano. Odd combo but whatever works, eh? Now, if I could just get rid of these shin splints....
Posted by: longsmith | December 31, 2008 10:00 AM
I do the treadmill during lunch at work for about 30 min. I have such a hard time getting up early, and almost no time at night to run. Here are some of my songs:
Two from the iTunes/Nike+ (which you don't have to use the Nike+ to listen to the music. They are each about 45 min of continuous song):
"All Day" by Aesop Rock
"Drive" by Crystal Method
Here's my run playlist:
"Runner's High" by The Pillows (a J-pop band I love)
"Man, It's So Loud In Here" by They Might Be Giants
"Smack My B**** Up" and "Breathe" by Prodigy
"The Hand That Feeds" by Nine Inch Nails
"Ready to Go" and "Drop Dead Gorgeous" by Republica
"Evil", "Lessons In Love", and "I Sit On Acid" by Lords of Acid
@longsmith: Congrats on your first 5k!!!! For shin splints, stretching after running helped me. Especially if you stand with your knees slightly bent, and lift up the balls of your feet with your toes pointing up. You should feel a stretch/tightening on the front of your shins. Also, make sure you have GOOD shoes! The $$ you spend on them is worth it.
Posted by: Jessika | December 31, 2008 10:20 AM
Girl, if you're running those kinds of distances as a rule, you are way closer to the marathon than you think. Just don't twist your ankle in some high-heeled shoes while you're in training!
Posted by: steffi suhr | December 31, 2008 10:43 AM
Here are some of the songs from my 'workout' playlist. And no, I haven't updated it in the past several years. Stupid postdoc, taking all of my time.
Eminem -- Lose Yourself
Third Eye Blind -- Semi-Charmed Life
Ramones -- I Wanna be sedated
Kelly Clarkson -- Since you've been gone
B-52s -- Love Shack
EMF -- Unbelievable
50 Cent -- Patiently Waiting
Nelly -- Ride wit me
Garbage -- Only happy when it rains
Gorillaz -- Feel Good In
The Killers -- Somebody Told Me
The Killers -- Mr. Brightsides
The new pornographers -- Bleeding Heart Show
Posted by: Sarah | December 31, 2008 10:43 AM
yes, another weight trainer! there are never enough women in the weight room around here. i feel strange sometimes in there, but i can spend an hour on a full workout day. (usually i isolate to certain muscle groups)
i absolutely cannot do more than about 25 minutes on a cardio machine without wanting to start throwing things, and running is not compatible with my 80% recovery from an injury way back when. i do rowing, which is way awesome for the upper and lower body and a very effective cardio trainer.
as far as playlists, i usually listen to fast-paced techno, rap, rap-metal, etc. stuff like the prodigy, garbage, outkast, p.o.d., slipknot, system of a down. very random mix.
Posted by: leigh | December 31, 2008 10:45 AM
I'm also stuck training inside until the snow goes away (which at the moment looks like it will be Aug 2010) so I feel your pain. I've done the marathon thing before and will just be aiming for a couple of half marathons in 2009 as training for the full took over my life and I don't have the time for that right now.
Re strategies for treadmill training: I try to keep the music loud and perch myself in front of a tv that is showing basketball or football so that time will slip by without me noticing.
My music suggestions:
- anything by The Cops, Kaiser Chiefs (still not quite into their new cd yet), Faker, Klaxons, The Wombats
- Blue Monday, New Order
- Breathe, Prodigy
Posted by: Professor in Training | December 31, 2008 10:56 AM
Treadmill is fucking misery. For winter indoor cardio, Comrade PhysioProf mixes up spinning classes, elliptical, and rowing ergometer. As someone pointed out, you can easily read on the elliptical, which makes the time go fast.
Perfect cardio music includes old-school punk-rock--Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Buzzcocks, Black Flag, The Dead Kennedys--and newer stuff--Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys, etc.
Posted by: Comrade PhysioProf | December 31, 2008 11:16 AM
For a truly excellent running experience, try listening to "Electric Feel" (Justice Remix) by MGMT.
Posted by: MitoScientist | December 31, 2008 12:06 PM
I reference PP for the Flogging Mollies, that's some crazy workout music.
I HATE the treadmill. I just bundle up and suck it up most of the time. I tend to do more elliptical in the winter when I'm not in training. Also, if you have a Metabolic Effect class and spinning classes, those things will kick your ass.
Posted by: scicurious | December 31, 2008 12:10 PM
@jessika
Thanks! At this point, it might be age related, no? Resting doesn't seem to help, but I will try your suggested stretch. I can't say I really like jogging, but I gotta do something so, wotthehell archie.
Posted by: longsmith | December 31, 2008 12:42 PM
I'll second The Killers, Kaiser Chiefs and most of CPP's list and add some from The Cat Empire (duh), Franz Ferdinand, The Faint, Stromkern, Concrete Blonde, She Wants Revenge, Shakira's hip shakers, Siouxsie in any incarnation (Banshees, The Creatures, solo), Royal Crown Revue, Ricky Martin, Smash Mouth, Dresden Dolls, Black Eyed Peas, Squirrel Nut Zippers. Basically, my goal for workout music is that it be energetic but constantly changing. Keeps me from getting bored.
No running, though, or my knees will shred themselves. Pilates and dance excercises instead.
Posted by: Stephanie Z | December 31, 2008 12:59 PM
Here in Portland, OR, we have same problem with the weather. Starting right about Thanksgiving and lasting until, seemingly, Independence Day the days are cloudy, gloomy, and there is very little sunlight. OK, maybe just until April, but it seems longer.
Running outside when it is nice is optimal, but I can't run outside when it is cold. Plus, I don't mind watching the bouncing rear of the person in front of me, especially if there is a butterfly tattoo right above it.
That being said, hitting the treadmill for my 10 mile run requires discipline. Here's how I do it:
1. Just get to the gym. Sometimes I tell myself that I don't even have to exercise. All I need is to go there and then if I still want to leave I can. I never do though. Once I am there I run at least six miles, something I can do in less than an hour (six months ago it took over two hours to go six miles).
2. On days I have to read when I exercise, I do what Liberal Arts Lady suggested and hit the elliptical.
3. I figure if I can watch the football game while sitting on the couch, I can watch it while on the treadmill. I don't know what I'll do when football is over. I guess that is where I will need to buy an MP3 player.
Posted by: Zeus | December 31, 2008 1:27 PM
Here in Portland, OR, we have same problem with the weather. Starting right about Thanksgiving and lasting until, seemingly, Independence Day the days are cloudy, gloomy, and there is very little sunlight. OK, maybe just until April, but it seems longer.
Running outside when it is nice is optimal, but I can't run outside when it is cold. Plus, I don't mind watching the bouncing rear of the person in front of me, especially if there is a butterfly tattoo right above it.
That being said, hitting the treadmill for my 10 mile run requires discipline. Here's how I do it:
1. Just get to the gym. Sometimes I tell myself that I don't even have to exercise. All I need is to go there and then if I still want to leave I can. I never do though. Once I am there I run at least six miles, something I can do in less than an hour (six months ago it took over two hours to go six miles).
2. On days I have to read when I exercise, I do what Liberal Arts Lady suggested and hit the elliptical.
3. I figure if I can watch the football game while sitting on the couch, I can watch it while on the treadmill. I don't know what I'll do when football is over. I guess that is where I will need to buy an MP3 player.
Posted by: Zeus | December 31, 2008 1:27 PM
Here in Portland, OR, we have same problem with the weather. Starting right about Thanksgiving and lasting until, seemingly, Independence Day the days are cloudy, gloomy, and there is very little sunlight. OK, maybe just until April, but it seems longer.
Running outside when it is nice is optimal, but I can't run outside when it is cold. Plus, I don't mind watching the bouncing rear of the person in front of me, especially if there is a butterfly tattoo right above it.
That being said, hitting the treadmill for my 10 mile run requires discipline. Here's how I do it:
1. Just get to the gym. Sometimes I tell myself that I don't even have to exercise. All I need is to go there and then if I still want to leave I can. I never do though. Once I am there I run at least six miles, something I can do in less than an hour (six months ago it took over two hours to go six miles).
2. On days I have to read when I exercise, I do what Liberal Arts Lady suggested and hit the elliptical.
3. I figure if I can watch the football game while sitting on the couch, I can watch it while on the treadmill. I don't know what I'll do when football is over. I guess that is where I will need to buy an MP3 player.
Posted by: Zeus | December 31, 2008 1:27 PM
I am no fan of the treadmill either, but luckily it is not as cold where I am at (the really hot summers are rough, though). I too signed up at ScienceMama's, although I think a half-marathon is much more appropriate for me. We can do it!
Posted by: sciencegirl | December 31, 2008 2:01 PM
have you tried snowshoeing? Seriously I know you said that you hate the cold.So do I. God seriously fucked by having me born in Canada. Its freaking cold up here. but when you're snowshoeing, especially with a baby strapped on. The cold feels nice.
Posted by: ScientistMother | December 31, 2008 2:44 PM
I agree with ScientistMother - snowshoeing is the BEST. Unfortunately the weather is so foul in New City right now that my snowshoeing consists of belting across the street to the gym and back while trying not to succumb to frostbite along the way. Waiting for the blizzards to stop and the roads to not contain random foot-high platforms of ice so that I can get out and snowshoe on the trails rather than around the residential streets (that look like poorly groomed trails right now).
Posted by: Professor in Training | December 31, 2008 3:39 PM
I second the recommendation of swimming--it is an awesome antidote to the winter blahs. I snuck into a 'learn to lap swim' course at my Uni as a non-credit old person last fall and I am now completely hooked. Having to focus completely on the technique--oh, and breathing--for 60 minutes in the pool has paid major physical and psychological dividends. It is an amazing, low-impact but highly cardio workout, the environment is warm and vaguely tropical, and you get the joy of accessorizing with hot, spandex suities (my personal faves), colorful caps & goggles. Add in a little bike action at some point, and you're totally set up to go 'Ironwoman' down the road. Pure Win!
PS--As a science goddess mama myself, I absolutely adore your blog. I'm all about the Danskos, though, sorry.
Posted by: Danio | December 31, 2008 3:54 PM
Lady, I am with you. I'm still deciding between marathon vs. half marathon... I feel pretty comfortable with a half marathon distance (but maybe that's a sign I need to push myself harder?). The only thing keeping me from committing to a full is that I don't know anyone willing to train for a full with me and doing a 4 hour training run by myself sounds BORING. But if I can con one of my buddies into training with me, I WILL up the anty to a full marathon with you.
Running tracks: Booty rap edition
Stronger- Kanye West
Gold Digger- Kanye West
Fighter- Christina Aguilera
Dirrty- Christina Aguilera
Bringin' Sexy Back- Justin Timberlake
Yeah- Usher
Crazy in Love- Beyonce
Let's get retarded- Black eyed peas
Hey Mama- Black Eyed Peas
Running Tracks: Indie rock edition
Mr. Brightside- The Killers
Ten Nation Army- White Stripes
Such Great Heights- The Postal Service
The Sound of Settling- Death Cab for Cutie
Gigantic- The Pixies
My Slow Descent into Alcoholism- The New Pornographers
July July- The Decemberists
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight- The Postal Service
Posted by: ScienceMama | December 31, 2008 5:49 PM
ScienceMama: did you steal my indie rock playlist? All of those songs get high rotation on my iPod. Not with you on the Booty rap edition though, sorry.
Posted by: Professor in Training | December 31, 2008 8:41 PM
My experience has been that I can get a much better cardio workout if I am sitting down that if I am standing up. Biking or stationary rowing works better for me than running. My working hypothesis has always been that I need to keep more in "reserve" if I need to maintain my balance while standing up.
However, I haven't re-verified that since I raised my NO level. Since many of the muscles associated with balance are not highly aerobic, they may need a higher glucose level to sustain metabolic capacity via glycolysis. That would be consistent with my understanding of my physiology in my pre-high-NO state where I had some level of the metabolic syndrome.
Posted by: daedalus2u | December 31, 2008 9:33 PM
Now those are kick-ass shoes!
Posted by: Virginia S. Wood, Psy.D. | December 31, 2008 9:43 PM
The most I have run is a 5k. That was 8 years back when I was 30 lbs lighter. But I have started running again last month. I'm aiming for the NY marathon for 2010 (provided they let me stay in this country until then). I joined a group called New York Road Runners Club, who organize the yearly NY marathon. They have various runs each month, and if I do a set of qualifying runs for 2009, I get a guaranteed entry into the 2010 NY marathon. I am currently running around 20 to 30 mins every other day at a 12 minute mile pace. I get bored running any longer than that on the treadmill. Starting around March or April next year, I want to start running one qualifying run each month and keep increasing the distance from 5k to 10k to 15k to half marathon. The goal is to complete a half-marathon in 2009. But if I am pushed by a really good group of similarly motivated folks, I may even try for a marathon next year.
So. What I'm saying in a long-winded way is - count me in for at least a half-marathon.
Posted by: arvind | December 31, 2008 9:51 PM
Add a little Le Tigre and Bikini Kill and you round out my music collection, ScienceMama & PiT. Happy training!!
Posted by: gnuma | December 31, 2008 10:34 PM
Long ago I realized if I wasn't going to turn into a scrawny old man I had to do some weight training. I didn't push it hard but even at a low level my muscles ached like I took a beating. I was about to give up on the strength training when someone, an old gentleman like myself, suggested I try a creatine with taurine supplement. The stuff I got comes in a huge plastic bottle and goes under the pretentious name of "Body Fortress".
I found the stuff in the local grocery store in the form of a fruit punch flavored drink. So after a session of pumping iron I gave it a try.
Later that night I noticed I didn't have the usual debilitating stiffness and tiredness. In the morning my muscles weren't really sore. Just a slight twinge to tell me I had worked them the day before.
It might be placebo effect, and God knows what is really in that stuff, but it seems to work. Now I can just about keep up with the young bucks. As one told me: 'For an old fart you do okay'. That may be as good as it gets.
Posted by: Art | January 1, 2009 9:06 PM
Dear Dr. Isis,
I found a shoe I thought you would like, I certainly did!
http://seereephd.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-year-new-shoe.html
You are my shoe inspiration! If I can tell you about any shoe, I feel I am paying you back, if only a little.
Posted by: seeree, PhD (Jan 09) | January 2, 2009 2:16 PM
Running? Nope. Low-impact for this geezer (which does include screaming runs down snow-covered Arizona mountainsides as soon as the orthopod clears me again.) In the meantime, it's a stair machine facing a 42" monitor with a good book reader so I can do low-brain-power-requirement reading while I slog up the same verticals I'm dreaming of sliding down.
I'm still working on the pics of the hot footwear and black nylons.
Posted by: D. C. Sessions | January 3, 2009 1:21 PM