Dear Treadmill

Dear Treadmill,

Baby, we need to talk...  I really wanted to have this conversation man to machine with you but you won't let me get a word in lately.  Our time together is coming to an end. We had a great few months together this winter, but spring is here now and I fear you knew this was coming.  You were always there patiently waiting for me to show up and take you for a run, except for those few times some jerk snagged you first but I forgive you for that.  I didn't consider it 'sloppy seconds' - you were just doing your job.  We would spend at least three days a week together, working together until you were drenched in my sweat.. Some of that time was spent really early when most people were still sleeping. Those moments were so special, baby...  You helped make me the person I am today.

I was always good to you. I made sure to be light on my feet and not stomp on you like those other guys. When we spent time together, I kept my attention focused on you and not on the other treadmills.  You know I only used them when you were being serviced, right?

Baby, it's time for us to move on. I need to get outside and meet new surfaces. You're more of the indoor type. It's okay, don't cry. I don't expect you to change for me.

I'm sure you will find other runners who are wanting to take you for a run.

Yours truly,
-Deerfoot

Twenty Questions - Deerfoot95

Thought of a new idea I'm going to try for the blog - 20 questions. It's an attempt to help get runners to know more about each other, where the answers aren't limited to a character count. The 20 questions are all running related.

Let the fun begin!!

Name: Jeff
Twitter ID or Facebook ID: @deerfoot95

Q1: How did you get started with running?

• In high school, I wanted to go out for the basketball team. During tryouts, I was one of the slowest kids during running drills. My science teacher (who was also the head coach) suggested I go out for the track team to get faster. I made the track team and had a lot of fun. I made a lot of good friends too.

Q2: How long have you been running?

• I've been running for over 20 years. Some years I haven't ran as much or as often as I'd like though.

Q3: What's your average weekly mileage?

• Lately my average has been 15-20 miles per week.

Q4: What time of day do you prefer to run?

• I like running in the morning, just not too early. When you get out the door for a run before the sun is up, it becomes a zombie run - a run where your legs are moving but the brain is still happily sleeping.

Q5: Do you like to run alone or with a group?

• I've ran alone since I graduated high school. It's difficult for me to find somebody that enjoys going for runs.

Q6: Do you have a cut-off point where it's too hot or too cold to run outside?

• The heat doesn't bother me as much as the cold. My cut off for the cold is about 30 degrees.

Q7: How do you keep track of your runs?

• If I run outdoors, I use my Garmin Forerunner 10 and upload it to Garmin's website. I also keep a paper log to have something I'm able to easily look at and add more information to.

Q8: What are your thoughts on treadmills?

• I don't mind them. I run on them during the winter.

Q9: Do you listen to music while running?

• Yep. I've almost always had music with me when I run. It helps keep me company and keeps me moving. 

Q10: How many races have you ran?

• At least more than 100. There was a period of time where I was running a race every week during the summer when I was in high school.

Q11:What's your favorite race you've ran?

• The Detroit half marathon. It's the race I wanted to run since I first started running. I've always wanted to run across the Ambassador Bridge to Canada and come back to US through the Windsor Tunnel.

Q12: What's one race on your race-bucket list?

• I'm hoping to run the Disney half marathon or the Princess half marathon for my daughter.

Q13: How many races do plan to run this year?

• I'm hoping to do at least 10. Some 5ks and a few half marathons.

Q14: What's the farthest you've traveled for a race?

• Think it was a 3 hour drive to my first (failed) attempt at a marathon. Most of the races I do are less than 2 hour drive.

Q15: Do you have any running related tattoos?

• I have a custom tattoo of a track shoe, but with my dogs face for the front part of the shoe.

Q16: Do you have any running stickers or running magnets on your vehicle?

• I have both. I have a Pre Lives, 26.2, 13.1 and a Hansons Brooks ODP stickers and a Run D magnet.

Q17: Where do you buy your running shoes?

• I get my shoes from Hansons Run Shop in metro Detroit. I got my first pair of shoes from there when I first started running. They do a good job helping find shoes that work for the runner.

Q18: How many pairs of running shoes do you go through in a year?

• Usually go through at least 2 pairs a year.

Q19: Do you stay with a certain brand of running clothes?

• Nope. I have a nice mix of brands. Most of them are Champion brand from Target. It's affordable and it works.

Q20: Do you participate in any sports other than running?

• Nope. I was 'encouraged' to stay away from other sports when I first started running. The closest sport I do outside of running is biking - essentially cross training for running.