On the Treadmill...

So... I hate the treadmill. It's not even a love/hate relationship - just hate. What good comes from a treadmill run I ask? (For the record, I had to run on the dreadmill yesterday because it was pouring outside). Moving on... Let's make a list of what is terrible about the treadmill:

1. It's hot. Anytime you run in place, you don't generate any headwind. That automatically raises the temp several degrees. Add to that the really annoying fact that gym architects (?) seem to take some weird pleasure in placing said treadmills directly under lights, and we can chalk up another several degrees.
2. There is no scenery. Running outside affords new sights and smells every step. Inside.... well, only gym smells, and no new sights. And don't start with me about watching TV. The goal of exercise should not be to find a way to make it seem like being lazy inside.
3. It's excruciatingly long. Has anyone ever tried to do a long run on the treadmill? Running 30 minutes is like 60 outside. Dreadful.

Enough of my rant. Yesterday I ran a bit more than four at an increasing pace. Started (with zero incline) at 7.6 and moved up to 8.9. Was easy. Light stretching afterward.

I plan on taking the next two days off to rest/stretch for the hilly beast of a half marathon I plan on running Sunday at 8AM.