Not Exactly Run of the Mill

My inbox (e and snail) is full of all kinds of stuff--the latest products ... new diet books ... you name it. It never fails--people are always trying to figure out creative ways to get the general public off its collective duff. Case in point: the Aquabilt underwater treadmill. For a mere $1,299 (and FREE SHIPPING!), proud pool-owners can purchase this revolutionary gadget for water runners. Now--I did water-running when I was pregnant with my son, after I decided that, at 7 months in, I was done with the treadmill and trail. But I didn't have a treadmill to do it on--I simply ran the length of the pool, treading water in the deep end. It's a great work out ... but ... do you NEED to blow big bucks for a treadmill? I think not.

Also in the file right now is the treadmill desk. Yes, it's a way to work (as in, at a job) while you work out. Or the other way around. Now, I love multitasking, and preach getting the most activity you can in your day. And we have talked about somehow setting up my old treadmill in an empty cube here, so we could take walking breaks. But ... again ... there are better things I can do with $4,000. Like, um, pay my mortgage for three months.

What do you guys think of these gadgets? Am I the only one who doesn't get it?

Lisa D

Hello, Again!

Hey, FFGs and Future FFGs!

Welcome to all of you who read my essay in the May issue of Runners' World. I have heard from so many runners, beginning runners, wannabe runners since the issue came out. And running has been on my mind (and feet) a lot lately. Several friends just ran or ran/walked the Nashville Marathon and Half Marathon a couple of weeks ago. I didn't do it because I was closing on my house--yes, it finally sold!--in Birmingham! But I was thinking about all of them as it was in the 80s that day. Scary-hot for a marathon, let me tell you. But everyone I talked to did OK, paced themselves, and got through. Which I guess is a good lesson for all of us. When you're trying to stay healthy and fit, you can't just be a fair-weather exerciser. Heat, cold, rain (wait a minute, isn't that that the mailman's mantra?) ... you've got to find a way to get moving. I think about first snowstorm after I moved from balmy humid Texas to Allentown, PA. It started coming down thick in the early afternoon, so our bosses let us go early. My office mate at the time was big into cross-country skiing, which I had never done and was dying to try. She was heading to the hilly park near her house to for her first x-country session of the season. So what do I do? Head home and snuggle up with a vat of hot chocolate and the remote? No way. I practically four-wheel it to a sporting goods store to buy a beginner x-country ski package. They were about to lock the place up and head out (probably for their own impromptu ski sessions!) when I showed up. We skiied until it was too dark to ski--and THEN snuggled with our mugs of cocoa.

That's part of what I mean when I talk about embracing the adventure of healthy living ... making the commitment to living a life full of activity (body AND mind), and adjusting our expectations and plans along the way. Sometimes it isn't easy. Sometimes it isn't all that fun. But I always find that it's worth it afterwards, feeling like you've conquered the elements, like you've made it work (to quote the great Tim Gunn).

Share your stories about coping with bad weather, dashed plans, making it work in general!

Lisa D