Ok, I’ve been doing Orange Theory about 3x a week now for 4 weeks. I love it! However, on Sunday I decided it was a total mindf*ck and I confirmed that last night! Why you might ask? Thank you, I shall explain!
Running wise I am a run/walker. This really doesn’t compute for Orange Theory. You are either a power walker, a jogger, or a runner (10mm or less). I was falling into a zone between the power walker and the jogger. Normally, when I had run on the treadmill I was usually at a 3.5 – 4.
4 weeks ago I took my first class. My base pace (easy pace) was a 3.5 on the treadmill. That’s what I needed to get into the “green zone”. NOW I need to be at a 4.5 (which is firmly in the jogger territory) in order to reach my base pace. 4 weeks ago my “all out” (max effort) pace was a 5.8. NOW it is a 7.4. Which last night I had to do 0.5 miles on the treadmill at a 7.4 effort. I HAVE NEVER DONE A 7.4 SPEED ON THE TREADMILL!!
Now, what you are saying is, “stop complaining you are totes getting better” and yes I am! Where I get to the Mindf*ck part is I don’t know if my body can handle me to push harder or if my mind is simply confused by the speed on the treadmill. Could I go longer and further at the pace? Am I simply clinging to an arbitrary number on a treadmill to dictate my abilities? YES, YES I AM! Was it hard, yes. Was it uncomfortable, yes! Could I make it work, YES!
Yet, another valuable lesson learned at the Orange Theory. I am waaaay to dependent on what I THINK my numbers should be instead of just pushing myself.
This post is in no way sponsored I just love the class (not saying that I would turn down a free month or some sweet gear, just sayin)! You should check one out in your area at www.orangetheoryfitness.com
I did OT for about a month on a free pass. LOVED IT!!
I tried to not look at the numbers on the ‘mill and just kept my eyes on my monitor and my zone.
Keep up the good work!!
Thanks! I’m working on it!