QT: Stuck Inside? How to Turn Lemons into Treadmill Lemonade

---

No matter how much I personally dislike running on the treadmill, I can’t deny that for some folks the treadmill is a necessary evil.

Several of the #DizRunners aren’t exactly fans of the treadmill, but due to the crazy weather this winter there are more than a few that have been logging some miles on the dreadmill.

For real though, my heart breaks for them!

That said, there are some ways you can make treadmill lemonade when you’re stuck running inside.

The Treadmill’s Saving Grace

If you like running on the treadmill, then more power to you.

I’d make the argument that you have something wrong with your head, but that’s another discussion for another day.

Mostly.

But for those of us that aren’t fans of the treadmill, when we are forced inside for whatever reason we do what we have to do.

We may not do it cheerfully, but we do it.

In this situation, getting on the treadmill and grinding out the necessary miles is certainly an option.

But, if you’re going to be on the damn conveyor belt, you may as well get some value out of it, right?

The one thing that the treadmill really has going for it, that running anywhere else simply can’t match, is the ability of the machine to control your pace.

When life gives you lemons and forces you inside, may as well make some treadmill lemonade, eh?

Making Treadmill Lemonade

Here are a few suggestions of ways you can use the treadmill to help you improve your pace control, the next time life or Mother Nature forces you inside for a workout.

Even Intervals

If you’re a run/walk athlete, does your running pace stay consistent throughout your runs or do you tend to slow down as you go?

One thing that a lot of runners struggle with is going out too fast and then fading in the second half of a run or race.

I never thought about run/walkers struggling with the same thing, but it turns out that some of them do!

If this sounds like you, use the treadmill to help you maintain the same pace for all of your run intervals.

Note, this might mean that you might feel like you’re holding back on the first few intervals.

That’s ok.

Easy Pace

If there’s one thing I’m sure you’re sick of me talking about, it’s the value of the easy run.

Whether you’re going all in on HR training or not, figuring out how to run easy is a challenge for a lot of us.

In fact, running easy may actually feel more difficult at first because you’re not used to it.

If you’re trying to adjust to running easy out on the road or the trails, there’s a pretty good chance that you mind end up not slowing down as much as you need to in order to truly run easy.

Enter the treadmill.

Set the pace to something that is easy, and don’t change the pace.

Sure, it might feel a bit awkward at first.

But guess what?

You’re never going to get comfortable with running easy until you practice it enough times that it starts to feel natural.

If you struggle with keeping your easy runs easy, use the treadmill to help you get through that “awkward phase” and adjust to running easy.

Tempo Pace

For my money, tempo runs are the most difficult high-intensity workout there is.

The idea behind a tempo run, in case you aren’t aware, is to basically push yourself almost to the limit without going too far.

In an ideal world, that means your miles at tempo pace should all be pretty much exactly the same.

But what happens all to often is that tempo runs look more like a mild progression run.

We start off at a certain pace, and then get a little faster with each mile.

It makes sense in theory, and I’m totally guilty of doing this exact thing with most of my tempo efforts. But that is not a true tempo run.

If you struggle with holding that “this sucks” pace for 3-5 miles on your tempo runs, and instead have a tendency to start a little slow and finish a little fast, use the treadmill to keep your pace constant.

I’m here to tell you it’s going to suck.

But if you’re going to do the workout, you may as well do it right.

It’s a Tool if You Let It Be

If you’re as anti-treadmill as I am, I’m not saying you have to fall in love with the damn thing.

But if your options are limited and running inside is required, the treadmill can be beneficial to your long-term progress within our sport.

If you’re going to run on the dreadmill, it might as well serve you, eh?

---

As much as I hate #running on the treadmill, if you're forced inside you can turn lemons into treadmill lemonade. #runchat Click To Tweet

How Do You Use the Treadmill to Help You Reach Your Running Goals?

---

Want to Support the Continued Growth & Production of the Show?

Check out the support page for ideas and suggestions of ways you can help me grow the show. And remember, not all support involves money. Some of the best ways you can show your support are 100% free.

Subscribe to the Show

Never miss another episode of the Diz Runs With podcast by subscribing to the show, and for my fellow Apple fans out there, it’s never been easier now that the podcast app is native on the new operating system. iPhone/iPod/iPad users click here. Android users click here. SoundCloud users click here.

Please Give Me Some Feedback!

Take the 6 question listener survey to help me shape the future of this podcast.

Register for a Free Race Training Plan

Every month, I’m giving away a FREE training plan for the race of your choice. For details/information, and to sign up, just click here.

Join The Tribe!

There’s always room for more members of the tribe! Both the Facebook group and the email group provide opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else. The Facebook group is still small, but it is a great way to connect with fellow runners and foster community amongst like-minded individuals. The email group is THE way to stay up to date about future guests on the show, as well as getting some other freebies and offers that aren’t available to anyone else. If you’ve got questions about either/both, just let me know!

Legalese:

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This simply means that if you decide to make a purchase using one of the links, I get paid a small commission at no extra expense to you.