Gym vs. Outside

I really cannot figure out if I enjoy running outside more or at the gym more. There are pros and cons to both and make for really interesting training sessions. Let me break it down for you:

THE GYM

Pros: Televisions on the treadmill. Nothing justifies trashy television more than watching while working out. It's not my fault I watched 3 straight episodes of 16 and Pregnant - I had a long training run!

Cons: Sometimes I wonder if it really is running when the ground is moving along with you. I feel like 26.2 miles would be a lot easier if you had the pavement working with you.

Pros: The people. There are certainly some characters at the gym that can also entertain you while working out. I personally find myself really entertained by the guys who make a lot of noise while lifting weights. Especially when they're not lifting heavy weights. Someone should inform them that making all that noise does not make you stronger.

Cons: The people. Then there are some people who I wish they turned away at the door. Tonight I was on the eliptical next to Jack Osbourne. Not modern Jack Osbourne, the one who has quit drugs and is now some sort of elite athlete. The one who drank Jack Daniels and hung Kimberly Stewart's breast implants on his wall. (I was a BIG Osbourne Show fan in college.) And this kid smelled. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but it was kind of like dirty laundry that comes back in your suitcase after vacation. The worst people though are the ones who smell like they bathe in cigarettes. I just want to be like "Why don't you lay off the smokes and then come back to work out? It'll be much more effective."

Outside

Pros: The fresh air. First thing in the morning runs are my favorite. I love the feeling that no one else has tainted anything yet and I get the best part of the day all to myself.

Cons: The humid air. Summer in New England can make it tough to experience the fresh air stated above. The humidity recently has been killing me and I feel like I need an inhaler and I don't even have asthma.

Pros: The quality of training. I feel like I accomplish so much more when I run outside. The unexpectedness of the terrain, the hills, the dirt. I really feel like I am becoming a better runner when I run outside.

Cons: It's hard. I am not going to lie. There have been a LOT of runs I have done outside that I really have to fight to finish. Unlike the treadmill, I feel like sometimes the road is working against me. Like it has some sort of vengence against me because I drive on it and put stress on it, it's doing all it can to pay me back. Listen, road, you were put down to be driven on. Start being nicer to me. Maybe you could even start moving like the treadmill!

Until next time.....

A really really really good cause.

In addition to inviting everyone to follow my training on this blog, I am also going to remind everyone what a good cause I am running for.

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation is a foundation whose primary goals are to raise money for research for the cure of diabetes and to support those who are living with the disease. If you go on their website http://www.jdrf.org/ you can see all that they offer. Their website is a great place to learn about what exactly your donations will be going to and a little bit more about diabetes itself.

One of my bestest friends in the whole wide world, Danielle, has lived with diabetes since she was 12 years old. In the four years that we were living together at college, she taught me a lot about living with diabetes both physically and mentally. I learned to never leave house without a Chewy bar in my purse, because her blood sugar could drop at any point. I learned that no matter how many times you check your blood a day, pricking your own finger never gets easier. I learned that I am lucky that I can just throw back beers and eat nachos without trying to do calculations in my head of what I am eating and how to compensate for it. And I learned people who live with diabetes and are able to manage it and live relatively healthy lifestyles are probably some of the strongest people on the face of the earth.

So when I run on October 10th, I am running for my friend Danielle Polo (ah! Her newly married name!) And I am running for all the people out there who live with diabetes who deserve to have a cure and who are examples of inner strength every single day.

Please please please donate at www.active.com/donate/09JuvenileDiabetes/meganmeehan

P.S. As if you needed extra incentive, everyone who donates to my campaign, your name will go on my shirt that I will run the marathon in. I want everyone in New England to see what generous, giving people I have in my life!!

Need Protein?

Anyone looking for a quick and easy source of protein? Go for a run on a summer evening in New England after it has been raining for 2 months straight. I swallowed approx 56 mosquitos last night on my run.

My training has been going well. I have come to realize that this is a part time job. This morning when my alarm went off, I thought to myself "Ugh, I can't wait to sleep in on Saturday." Then I realized that I can't sleep in this Saturday or any Saturday until October 10th. That was the depressing thought of the day. Along with the rain this summer, has come horrible humidity. Early morning is the only time of day that I can run outside comfortably for any distance over 3 miles. This Saturday, I have a lovely little 7 mile run planned. After that, you will find me parked at the beach as a reward for the training thus far.

Finally, I sent out my fundraising emails today. Please know that any amouth given big or small, is so hugely appreciated!!