One night I was scrolling through Instagram when I came across my friend Sue’s feed where she referred to her treadmill as “Sven.”
She christened it Sven because of its NordicTrack origins.
What a great idea.
Since Sven (the only Nordic name that easily comes to my mind) was taken, I had to Google my options.
Most names I couldn’t pronounce like Niflheim or Jormungand. Olaf nearly made the cut until my pal Sona excitedly said, “Call it Bjorn … as in .. Bjorn to run.”
Man, I’m so fortunate to have clever friends.
Bjorn it is. I just needed my treadmill. Thankfully it had arrived days earlier.
You will remember that I have been waiting many weeks for my treadmill to arrive after spontaneously ordering it on a bitterly cold day in February.
It was supposed to arrive in time to see me through those last cold and dark winter days.
Fittingly it arrived on one of the first very spring-like temperature days in late-March.
There was no turning back. Once Jon put in the final screws (while Amanda and I supervised), I officially became a member of the treadmill club.
I hope this doesn’t hurt my running cred. Up until now I have always been in the “treadmill running is for wimps” club especially in the winter (while I secretly wished I owned one). Why stare at a wall when you can risk frost bite?
Treadmills are just like road running – you either love it or hate it.
In my experience, there is no in between.
Now that I have this huge contraption taking over my second bedroom, I am about to see what the fuss is all about.
Bjorn is connected to WiFi and Google maps so I can run virtually anywhere in the world. There’s even these pre-programmed fitness challenges. It also boasts a tablet holder so I can watch Netflix or whatever on those long runs.
It’s a little overwhelming. The first day, I just stared at Bjorn with all his bells and whistles. The next day I invited Sona and Brent over to do the same. We’re big fans of technology.
But staring at Bjorn isn’t going to make me a better runner.
I’ve run and walked on Bjorn now at least half a dozen times.
It can get addictive especially when you want to push yourself a little further. I am still trying to get used to running in one spot.
No doubt it is using different muscles than what I would use outside.
I know my body will get used to this new adventure. After all we were Bjorn to run.
MMM
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