dreadmill no more...maybe

There are few things I dread more than logging miles on a treadmill in January.  Typically all the resolution-makers are there making it difficult to find an open treadmill.  And running on a treadmill (as regular readers know) is torture for me!  It's hot in the gym and I feel like a mouse on a wheel...

But last night was a reversal of both of these negatives!  It was a very cold night in the Boston area so I packed clothes for hitting the gym after work.  I was surprised to see that the parking lot was not as full as it normally is in January and thought that this was a good sign.  Sure enough, there were at least ten treadmills available when I walked in!

Instead of going in ready to plug in a set incline and speed, I brought with me a treadmill workout suggested by a blog I read on a regular basis, Carrots 'n Cake.  The workout was 45min total, varying the speed and inclines every 2-3min.  Here it is below: (the first 5min are 4-4.5mph at a 1% incline)

45-MINUTE TREADMILL WORKOUT
Burn up to 450 calories walking or 550 calories running with this 45-minute treadmill workout from Jeanette Soloma at Crunch Fitness. You’ll mix up the inclines and speed to increase your heart rate and sculpt legs and butt.
Minutes	Walk mph/incline	Run mph/incline	RPE
5:00-7:00	4 / 3%	5.5 / 2%	6
7:00-9:00	4 / 5%	5.5 / 3%	6-7
9:00-11:00	4 / 7%	5.5 / 4%	7
11:00-16:00	3.5 / 10%	5 / 6%	8-9
16:00-21:00	3.5 / 8%	6 / 3%	8
21:00-22:00	4.0 / 4%	5.5 / 2%	6
22:00-23:00	4.5-4.8 / 4%	7 / 2%	8
23:00-24:00	4.0 / 4%	5.5 / 2%	6
24:00-25:00	4.5-4.8 / 4%	7 / 2%	8
25:00-26:00	4.0 / 4%	5.5 / 2%	6
26:00-27:00	4.5-4.8 / 4%	7 / 2%	8
27:00-29:00	3.5 / 10%	5 / 8%	9
29:00-31:00	3.6 / 8%	5.2 / 6%	8
31:00-33:00	3.7 / 6%	5.4 / 4%	7
33:00-35:00	3.8 / 4%	5.6 / 2%	7
35:00-38:00	4.5 / 2%	6.5 / 2%	8
38:00-40:00	4.0 / 2%	5.5 / 2%	6
40:00-45:00	3.5-3 / 1%	4.5-3.5 / 1%	4-5

After a fun and surprisingly intense workout, I headed over to the grocery store (which is typically very busy as well) to find few fellow shoppers.  I gathered the supplies needed to make a giant pot of chili and headed home to get started.  Doesn't this look delicious?!

(Sorry about this dead space...I can't get rid of it!)