The Way We Run

I've started running again and so has Jared. Jared and I do it differently.

Jared runs fast. 'Nuff said about that.

Our neighbor told Jared that he saw him running the other day and that he has a beautiful stride. Lots of people have told me that they have seen me running, but not once has anyone ever mentioned anything about my stride.

Jared runs after work. I prefer mornings. I have to run before I start thinking and eating, otherwise it'll never happen.

Jared's training schedule has him running 4 or 5 days a week. My plan has me running 3 days a week with 2 days of cross training, except I tend to replace the cross training with resting.

Jared likes running to music. I prefer running to my own empty thoughts or while reading the closed captions on the TV's at the gym....which brings me to what I might possibly consider the most interesting difference in our running styles/preferences:

Jared will only run outside. He loathes the treadmill. In most instances, I prefer a treadmill at the gym.

While running outdoors is not necessarily my preference, I get why it's a good idea and I understand why Jared likes it. Running outdoors provides lots of options...varied routes, natural inclines, fresh air, nature's distractions, and once in a while a vicious dog to kick in the face.

But on a treadmill, it's easier for me to keep a steady pace. In a gym I don't worry about unleashed dogs nipping at my ankles or threatening me with intimidating gestures. I also feel much safer running in the gym than I feel when I'm running outside in the pitch black early mornings. I can also keep bigger water bottles in the treadmill bottle-holders than I can strap around my waist. I get motivated in an environment where lots of other people are also working out hard. These all seem like good enough reasons to choose the gym over the outdoors most days.

But when one of my treadmill neighbors has a gas or body odor problem, I feel like seriously reconsidering my preference.