Running on a treadmill

[OhioStateBuckeye]

I started running this past spring. Its a really weird story, actually, I could never really run in my life (I think I was breathing totally wrong) and then one day I was just like I am sick of this, and I got the dog and my ipod and I went out and jogged (yep, I'm weird).

Well anyway as the summer progressed I would try to pick up my speed/stamina. I would make myself go just a bit farther every day and try to cut down my time (I ran the same route so I was able to tell). Now that its full swing Ohio winter, I have been trying to run inside on my treadmill and I'm hitting some major roadblocks.

Maybe it would be helpful if I explained my routine, I usually try to hit at least the 40 minute mark, and if I have to take any walking breaks, my rule for myself is that I have to go faster than I was going before I stopped. After I hit 40 or however long I was able to make myself jog, I then try to do 10 minutes of 1 minute intervals.

I get so bored running on a treadmill! I try to listen to music, I try to watch entertaining movies/tv shows, but nothing really works. And this boredom is cutting into my jogging because if I'm bored, I start to think about how tired I am or I just completely lose focus.

I can't seem to push myself to go faster/longer, because its a struggle to make myself even hit the 30 minute mark.

I think I just enjoy running outside so much better, I get to take my dog and there is nice scenery and it even smells nicer outside.

There is really no way I see myself being able to jog outside in the wintertime, for pretty much the past month all the sidewalks have been overcome with snow/slush/ice. And I just hate hate hate the cold weather.

Does anyone have any advice at all for me?? How can I keep myself focused/entertained while on the treadmill?

 

[SurferStitch16]

I don't have a treadmill, but I dread the winter months and HATE running on the treadmill. I have an elliptical, which is just as boring. I know the issue for me is that I feel like I'm going nowhere when I run on them so I get so bored. They have videos that you can put in that create a "running world." I've never used them, but I have read about them in Runner's World. There are websites like http://www.treadmillwalks.com/ that have them. You can probably find others by Google-ing treadmill workout videos. Having never used any I am not too sure how they are, but in theory they sound like a pretty good idea. Hope this helps a bit or if other people have ideas. I'll be interested to see what others do to get over the monotony of running in place.

Danielle

 

[kolohe_lady]

Ugh. I hate running on the 'dreadmill' too. Had to do my 10 miles on one the other day to our lovely inversion. (Cold air gets trapped in the valley by high pressure. Also traps all pollution so air quality is terrible and exercising outside is discouraged.) It was horrible!! Somewhere between watching paint dry and repeatedly hitting your head against a wall.

Can you find an indoor track nearby? Maybe at a gym or community center? Nothing beats going outside, but maybe it will be slightly less painful than the treadmill.

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

Thanks for the ideas! I will try the video one, and I do have some really good gyms that have tracks nearby, but they all cost a gym membership and I am trying to avoid that :/

I actually discovered something last night that seems to work. If I put the biggest loser on while I run it really motivates me. If I start to get tired or unfocused I just make myself think about the people on the show and then I think to myself, if those guys are running, then I am sure as hell not stopping either.

 

[Ronda93]

Train for a race. Pick a goal that's bigger than your boredom.

It gives me an answer when I ask, "why am I doing this?" In the last month I've had 10 and 12 mile runs on the TM. This past weekend I combined the treadmill with an empty parking garage for 14 (gym at work!). I hate the treadmill. I'm with you on the weather and it's become a necessary evil.

Ronda

 

[FireDancer]

I hear you on hating the treadmill and I hear you about Ohio winters. To be honest, with the right running gear there is no reason you can't run outside even in an Ohio winter. There are times I en up having to run inside (only once so far this winter thank God) but those times are few and far between. I've even come to enjoy running in the snow.

Give it a try, you might find you actually like it like I did.

 

[SAHDad]

I hear you on hating the treadmill and I hear you about Ohio winters. To be honest, with the right running gear there is no reason you can't run outside even in an Ohio winter. There are times I en up having to run inside (only once so far this winter thank God) but those times are few and far between. I've even come to enjoy running in the snow.

Give it a try, you might find you actually like it like I did.

It can depend on your area. In my neighborhood, the snow removal plan is called "spring". Typically, once the snow stops, my area will get plowed about 48 hours later. By that time, of course, everything is ground down to ice, and with no sidewalks, and only one lane for cars, the only way I could run outside would be in snowshoes, or up and down our driveway.

I accept treadmills as a necessary evil. I would run outside more if I could, but a combination of young kids, local conditions, and time factors put me on the hamster pad more than I would like.

OP - aside from TV, music, and podcasts, there really isn't much else I can tell you. I have noticed that steady-state runs are worse on a treadmill than when I mix things up a bit, at least from a mental perspective.

 

[sug78]

I live in Alaska so my treadmill is a must! I actually love it.... The only time I really watch tv is when Im running (or walking) so it is a treat. I always record The Biggest Looser and watch that & other random reality tv (basically any show that is entertaining that doesn't require any thought process)

 

[johde]

Another Ohioian here, and I've done most of my running/walking outside. I've been on the treadmill I think 3 times this winter. My town has been pretty good about plowing. I'll also drive a little bit to get to a good place to run. About 3 miles from my house there's a college that's fairly deserted on the weekend. They also do a good job at plowing their sidewalks. I seem to be able to go there even when the stuff around my house is still snow covered.

 

[ohMom]

It can depend on your area. In my neighborhood, the snow removal plan is called "spring".

hello from an small but icy town in central ohio --

watching TV and covering up the treadmill screen with a towel is the only way i can deal

 

[SurferStitch16]

watching TV and covering up the treadmill screen with a towel is the only way i can deal

I find I go SO much farther when I cover the screen up. Those blinking numbers do NOT help one bit!!

 

[hops&dreams]

I completely agree with covering up the screen on the treadmill. if I don't, I end up watching the little dots make the lap and get tired faster, or count down the seconds until my next walk interval (i'm a newbie, training for a half).

I have found that when I put on an episode of a tv show - either on DVD, netflix, DVR, whatever - I know it's 42 mins long (I watch shows like Mad Men or Firefly). So, that means I know I'll be on for at least 42 mins. For my longer runs, I try to find movies that are about the same length. That's what works for me.

 

[DisFam95]

Well i sort of have the opposite problem as I'm in Texas and don;t tolerate the heat well and when it does not cool down past 90 even in the early morning I relly on my treadmill. I guess I've always run on it so never have embraced the outdoor running.

I do cover the screen and I HAVE to be watching something. That is my brainless reality tv hour!!! Usually some Bravo, Cake Boss or Biggest Loser (I know a conflict of interest ).

Sometimes I do the ipod to get the energy of the music and just watch the silenced tv. But it's that of not make the progress I want.

Good luck.

 

[DISprincessWANNABE]

I do anything longer than a five mile run outside (if it's bitterly cold or windy, I wear LOTS of layers). I live in Boston, and the sidewalks have been kind of a mess lately, so I've been running in the street.

However, this winter I've been doing any run five miles and under on the treadmill, and I feel your pain. The time/mileage is all I can think about! To help cope, I usually do interval training with running at different speeds. That way I'm thinking about the time, but I'm thinking of it in smaller increments. I even try to break up the intervals into different lengths of time (1 min at X speed, 2 min at Y speed, 3 min at Z speed, then maybe 1 min at Y speed, 2 mins at 2 speed, etc...you get the point). It'll help time pass, and you'll probably quicken your pace.