willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easieWinter is finally upon us, and my daily runs along my favorite path overlooking the beautiful Columbia River has come to a end for the year. Yes, I'm an avid runner and hitting the pavement, or my case the gravel trail is one of my favorite pastimes for both fitness and entertainment. However, with temperatures in the near 30's as of late combined with the Gorge's high winds and rain nearly everyday I've been forced to take my journey indoors on my trusty treadmill for the next few months. Sure there will be winter days that I will still be able to get out and take full advantage of running wise, but as anyone knows the Columbia River basin like I do, outdoor workouts that take place in December, January, and February are often a pipe dream at best.

Contrary to popular belief treadmill running isn't so bad, in fact it can often be welcomed retreat from a workout routine that's been far too long not altered. I spent several weeks last summer taking the time, effort, and money to research and purchase a top performing treadmill. Seriously, if you don't spend a couple grand on a good quality treadmill you'll most likely get yourself the equivalent of a used Pinto. If you are considering getting yourself one, do the research and spend the money. My nice treadmill aside, myself having the capacity and willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easiers of late combined with the Gorge's high winds and rain nearly everyday I've been forced to take my journey indoors on my trusty treadmill for the next few months. Sure there will be winter days that I will still be able to get out and take full advantage of running wise, but as anyone knows the Columbia River basin like I do, outdoor workouts that take place in December, January, and February are often a pipe dream at best.

Contrary to popular belief treadmill running isn't so bad, in fact it can often be welcomed retreat from a workout routine that's been far too long not altered. I spent several weeks last summer taking the time, effort, and money to research and purchase a top performing treadmill. Seriously, if you don't spend a couple grand on a good quality treadmill you'll most likely get yourself the equivalent of a used Pinto. If you are considering getting yourself one, do the research and spend the money. My nice treadmill aside, myself having the capacity and willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easieoor workouts that take place in December, January, and February are often a pipe dream at best.

Contrary to popular belief treadmill running isn't so bad, in fact it can often be welcomed retreat from a workout routine that's been far too long not altered. I spent several weeks last summer taking the time, effort, and money to research and purchase a top performing treadmill. Seriously, if you don't spend a couple grand on a good quality treadmill you'll most likely get yourself the equivalent of a used Pinto. If you are considering getting yourself one, do the research and spend the money. My nice treadmill aside, myself having the capacity and willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easieney to research and purchase a top performing treadmill. Seriously, if you don't spend a couple grand on a good quality treadmill you'll most likely get yourself the equivalent of a used Pinto. If you are considering getting yourself one, do the research and spend the money. My nice treadmill aside, myself having the capacity and willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easie willpower to regularly run on it is another thing. That's something money can't buy. I guess I'm kinda lucky in a sense that I don't have to lose my view of the Columbia as my exercise room was strategically placed on a side of my house where a window overlooks a hill and down into the Gorge. This fact alone makes it much easier for me to stick to my routine and keeping on running. I keep the room at a cool 62 degrees, because 30 minutes into my run it's about 77. I put on my favorite XM satellite station and begin to run my first steps of my 500 mile winter goal.

So if I didn't mention it by now, my goal this year is to put in about 500 miles or so on my treadmill in prep for the late march runoff, warmer temps, and excellent early morning running conditions. Serious springtime running requires even more serious winter preparations. That's 120 miles a month for four months - not as bad as it sounds. The treadmill, my tool towards springtime runner's bliss will get me through the winter months and keep my cardiovascular condition at its best without actually being outside in the frozen bellows of the Columbia River Valley.

Running on a treadmill indoors is often a solemn experience. No birds, no squirrels chasing nuts, simply me, my cold room, and my XM radio stations. I find it best to switch things up when running on the treadmill both for training and entertainment. Sometimes I crank the incline up, so high my lungs start to scream. Other times I keep it flat but kick up the pace and work on my fast game. The great thing about a treadmill is that the hill begins and ends whenever you want it to. This i