What is up with hotel workout rooms?

Okay so I have a mini-rant here. I travel all over the world and the quality of workout facilities in many US hotels is crazy. It's no wonder we have an obesity epidemic. Between the donuts, biscuits and gravy they serve you at the breakfast, the least they could do is offer a nice facility to exercise in. Burn off a little stress, get healthier, stay in shape, or God forbid train for some event.

Yep, trying to train for a 1/2 Ironman triathlon while on the road is a challenge and then some but I'm plugging away, staying really positive and keeping my eye on the goal of the finish line in July. My coach David has been fantastic about adapting my training plan to fit my ever changing travel schedule and giving me lots of cool mantras and helpful guidance.

My favorite mantra: Be Consistently Fast but Avoid Peaks and Valleys of Speed is a close second :)

Anyway, so I'm in Florida for business work session and I have an 85 minute run on the schedule. The days at work will get longer as the week progresses so I decided tonight would be my best shot.

I headed to the workout facility and found a pitiful treadmill, no AC, no windows that opened, a TV that didn't work and weird smelling towels :( Nevertheless I set up my bottles of water, GU20, packs of Sport Beans and cranked up the tunes.

I love running outside, have I said that yet? Let me reiterate it. I love running outside. Being able to control my pace to what feels right rather than a number on a machine. Being able to feel the air on you, hearing the sounds of the city, even (pardon the grossness) being able to spit when you need to (ask a runner they'll explain). I endured and ran on and 85 minutes later I was dripping in sweat but happy I ran at a steady 12.30 minute mile pace for 6.8 miles and tomorrow is a rest day.

WOO HOO! Hotel gyms be damned, the Speed Leopard will not be kept down :)