Quick Tip: How to Survive a Run on the Treadmill
Alright y’all, let’s cut to the chase.
You know where I stand on treadmill running. I hate it.
The Last Treadmill I Ran On
I honestly don’t know how anyone can enjoy treadmill running, but I do know several runners that regularly log hours on their treadmills year round.
It would be my opinion that said runners should be checked to make sure their brains are still functioning properly, but that is neither here nor there.
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For today’s quick tip, I want to talk about how to survive a run on the treadmill when you have no choice but to do your best hamster impression and run and run and run and literally go nowhere.
So here goes nothing…
4 Ways to Survive a Run on the Treadmill
- Take an Unscheduled Rest Day: If the weather goes crazy on you, you’re traveling and don’t feel comfortable running in a new neighborhood, or whatever other reason you might feel forced to hop on the dreadmill for the day, feel free to call an audible. This is definitely my “go to strategy” to survive the treadmill: avoidance baby! An extra rest day never hurt anyone, I promise!
- Movie Time: If you’re determined to bite the bullet, grab your iPad, fire up Netflix, and pick something to watch that will keep you occupied for an hour or two. My personal recommendation would be some stupid comedy so you don’t have to focus too much on the plot line while you’re running.
- Up the Intensity: If the idea of running for an hour on the treadmill seems as exciting as a root canal, mix up your run by doing some intervals. Get a quick warm up in, and then jack the speed up for a couple of minutes, slow it down for a few minutes, etc. Then if you can’t make yourself stay on their as long as you’d hoped, at least you got a decent speed session in (hopefully). You can also play with the incline, and do some impromptu hill training….
- Barter With Yourself: Is there something you’ve had your eye on for a while but haven’t been able to justify doing/buying? It could be a new pair of shoes, ordering a large meat lovers, signing up for a race-cation, or whatever. If you’re really struggling with the idea of jumping on the treadmill, see if you can’t work out a deal with yourself. Finish the full workout, splurge on the kicks. Cut the workout short at all, 100 burpees and no shoes. It might help…
If you’re an outdoor runner, having to get on the dreadmill can be tough.
But if you have to do it, hopefully one of these tips will help you survive the treadmill the next time you feel like you don’t have any other option.
When Was the Last Time You Ran on a Treadmill? Mine was August 17th, 2014, and It Was a Sad Day Y’all…
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HI, Diz. Thanks for stopping by my blog and liking a post. I am enjoying my visit to yours. I totally agree with your sentiment about how could anyone enjoy treadmill running. Right on. Of course, I live in Chicago which, as you know, is a four season city. I can’t always get out on my bike – my exercise of choice. I have found, however, that when it is zero degrees, windy and icy outside, I can always ‘do the stairs.’ I am fortunate enough to live in a high rise building. I can get some super exercise stair climbing and wait out the weather. Keep up the good work!
Thanks Tony! Love your site as well!
The dreadmill is an important tool in winter training. Living in Montana, we get cold, icy days and a gym membership comes in handy to continue my training through these winter months. I’d much rather put in a few treadmill miles with some cross training than struggle through a snow storm or icy roads with crazy drivers for weekday training when I don’t have the time for a longer trail run. I usually plug in an audio book or download a few podcasts to get lost in and the miles pass much easier. But I definitely make time on the weekends for some snowy trails to balance out this winter gym training.
I understand the need for the treadmill on occasion, just glad I live in a part of the country that can allow me to talk so much smack about that dreaded torture device! As with so much in life, we all have to do what works for each of us, and if that means jumping on the treadmill once in awhile so be it.
Hope you have a great end to 2015 Ryan, and much happiness (and many miles!) in the New Year!
I use the time to catch up on Podcasts since I don’t run outdoors with earbuds. I save the movies for long rides on the trainer when the weather forces me indoors.
Gotcha! Definitely have to have something to take your mind off of the tediousness of indoor mileage!