i am a treadmill slacker ...

When I first started running, I did almost all of my runs while pushing a stroller. There were even runs where I pushed a triple. The stupid thing weighed as much as me. It was horrible, but I did what I needed to do to complete my training plan.

But in the last year, that has changed. I do my best to avoid stroller running. Sure, every once in a while I have no other choice (no more than once a week), but usually I can squeeze in 40+ miles sans stroller. That means, I wake up early to get my miles in. I run on both Saturday and Sunday, so J can watch the kids. And I log a heck of a lot of miles on the treadmill.

And if we are being honest, I don't really mind it. Treadmill running is actually quite enjoyable for me. For several of reasons, including ...

• I can wear whatever I want.
• The room is temperature controlled.
• I can catch up on my favorite TV shows.
• The machine sets the pace.
• I never need a babysitter.
• I don't have to leave my house.
• It can't rain/snow/sleet inside.
• The bathroom is 12 feet away.

But even though I have a love for my treadmill, I have always found it harder to run on than the road. To me it just seems more taxing. I can't quite seem to hold the same pace I do when I run outdoors. And I almost always fall at the slow end of my pace zones.

Take Saturday for example. I was at the hotel gym running a quick five miles before the wedding festivities began. I set the treadmill at 6.2 (9:40 pace), just outside of my easy run zone, but still within my long run range. And pretty much instantly, I was sucking wind. It happens every time I step on the treadmill. I go from a runner who easily holds a sub-9 minute average to one who is about to fall off the treadmill running almost a minute per mile slower.

But then, at mile two, something changed - my father-in-law and two of the groomsmen walked into the gym. Suddenly, I felt like the belt was moving WAY.TOO.SLOW. I couldn't get my cadence right. I had to speed the treadmill up. Instantly, running became easy. And then, it clicked ...

I AM A TREADMILL SLACKER.

I don't push myself on the treadmill. And I don't think about my form. I get lazy. I've got it in my head that treadmill running is harder than outdoor running and I make myself suck at it. And since there is no one there to hold me accountable (or to analyze my running posture), I don't take it seriously.

I can't be alone in this, right? Please tell me I'm not the only one who slacks off when no one else is looking ...