My Journey with Milly

The treadmill.

Oh, I have plenty to say about this mentally (and physically) challenging piece of equioment.

Some runners love it. Many detest it. A handful are neutral and simply put up with it due to extreme circumstances.

Myself? I'm not a fan, by any means. I'm very thankful to have one in my house, but her and I do not always get along cordially. By the way...did you know my treadmill has a name, Milly?

First of all, some facts:
**Milly is almost 17 years old! She lived in our basement for a few years before we remodeled the living space down there. She didn't see much action other than a few short walks now and then.

**She currently resides in our mudroom, facing a window, overlooking our backyard. Did I mention there's a heat vent right directly above her?

**There are some bells and whistles (adjustable settings for intervals, incline, etc.), but no video screen/television monitor nearby.

It wasn't until the summer of 2005 when her and I struck up a friendship. I wasn't hoping to lose weight, but I did realize my body could use a little bit of toning. Our town was sponsoring a small 5K race in a couple months and I was interested in toeing the line. Prior to that, I had done a few random 5K's,but had never been able to run the entire distance.

Milly was very patient with me...she allowed me to run a mile at a time. Eventually, I was able to increase my distance by 1/2 mile increments over the course of those two months. The race day arrived and I was able to run the entire 5K without any walk breaks, and I ran it faster than expected!

Her and I were almost inseparable after that race! She got me to commit to running three times a week (usually three miles for each session), and that continued on through the fall, winter and into the spring.

When the summer of 2006 arrived, I was eager to do more races. Also, I thought it best to run outside so my body could acclimate to the heat, humidity, and changing terrain similar to what I'd most likely experience during races.

Milly turned on me, though, in the fall of 2006. After venturing outside and discovering the beauty and solitude of outdoor running, things were never the same. I couldn't get her to cooperate...she was either too slow or too fast for me. And, she was so boring!  She didn't offer much for scenery (no pretty flowers or interesting houses), all I could hear was her loud motor (instead of birds or crickets), and it was a struggle to keep my stride length in check (because I could not get the speed or incline to work in a comfortable way for me). UGH.

Alas, I spent most of the next 10 years outdoors and as far away from her as possible. There would be a rare 2-3 mile torture session with her (if it was really cold or icy outside), but that was it.

Quite by accident, I realized that although I could not tolerate her company for any extended length of time, she was manageable in small doses. In recent years, I have used her for speed work on occasion, and there have been some random #nevermissaMonday (short) runs. I even created an interval workout juxtaposing short sprints with stair climbing (Stella vs. Milly Interval Extravaganza Workout).

The longest distance I've been able to run with her is five miles (I may have gone six miles one time...but it may have only been five actual miles that felt like six?). As I have said many times, huge props to those who can run double digit runs on their treadmills. They obviously have something I'm missing from my genetic makeup or mindset...and I will not be seeking membership in their exclusive club (LOL).

So, that's my story with Milly. It's been a rocky road, but she is slowly working her way back into my life. I still prefer an outdoor excursion, though, over an indoor running-in-place session with her. That's my reality.

Enough about Milly and me. How about you? Is there a special treadmill in your life? If so, does she (or he) have a name?

 **I'm  linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.  We're chatting about treadmills, feel free to join the conversation!

**I'm linking this with Deb for the Wednesday Word...today's word is brash (which describes my attitude towards the treadmill). 

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.