Today I’m linking up with MCM Mama, My No Guilt Life and Run the Great Wide Somewhere to talk about treadmills. If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time then you may know that I absolutely hate treadmill runs. Unfortunately it is a necessary evil at times though!
There are times when a treadmill can come in really handy. Say on really cold days? Or if you need to do a speed work session and it is really icy out? Even a hill workout may be better off on a treadmill if the paths are really slippery.
Running for any length of time on a treadmill takes great mental fortitude. If you have to do a long run on a treadmill I highly recommend mentally breaking your run up into smaller chunks rather than focusing on the total amount of time that you have to run for. I think my longest run on the treadmill has been two hours. Since my run walk intervals are normally 9:1 I concentrate on those ten minute chunks.
I find that having an actual workout to do on a treadmill really helps. Intervals can have you focusing on that short segment instead. If it is really icy out and you need to do a speed session the treadmill can be a much safer option as you work to hit those pace targets.
Ultimately the one thing that gets me through a treadmill run is a really good playlist. I need music with a fast and steady beat that takes my mind off of the fact that I’m running yet going nowhere. These are some of my favourites songs at the moment:
My most memorable treadmill experience was when a body builder decided to race me and wound up flying off the back of the treadmill when he couldn’t keep up.
What has been your most memorable treadmill run?
Oh my gosh that is too funny about that body builder flying off the back. I don’t other listen to music on treadmill. I usually watch TV instead.
lacey recently posted…Where in the World to get race merchandise engraved and embroidered
I love the treadmill! I can just zone out and enjoy myself. It’s also great for when you’re injured because you can hop off if something doesn’t feel right. Years ago I was doing a long run around the Glenmore Reservoir and I had to stop running 7km from my vehicle due to an injury flare-up. It was a long and sad walk back to my truck because my husband wasn’t able to come get me.
I use to hate treadmills too until I figured out how to make time fly. 🙂 I do what you do and break things up mentally in my head. That’s helped a TON. If I focus on smaller amounts of time instead of the bigger picture, it seems easier to me. I also try and run when my favorite TV shows are on. That makes it a lot more bearable. 🙂
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I absolutely LOVE your suggestion to break the long runs up into smaller chunks! I think that will definitely help me mentally push through those tough runs (on the treadmill as well as off) that seem to go on forever. 🙂
shannon recently posted…How Treadmill Running Helped Me Get My Groove Back
Hahahaha, I love that he flew off the back of the ‘mill. That would have made my week.
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I totally find intervals work for me on the treadmill. I just focus on small chunks and forget about the overall time I spend on there. That plus some netflix.
Jen recently posted…Thinking Out Loud #22
Last winter I was scheduled to race the Santa Shuffle, but the morning of the run it was -30 out. It was my first 10K back after having my youngest daughter. I ran on the treadmill in our living room while my kids and hubby cheered me on. At the end the kids gave me a medal made out of froot loops 🙂
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I like to do speedwork on the treadmill. It’s fun to run intervals. Long slow runs kill me though. I’m not easily entertained by music or tv, so it’s hard to not get super bored.
MCM Mama Runs recently posted…TOTR: Tips for buying a treadmill
That sounds like a hilarious experience! I am not a fan of the treadmill, but I am getting convinced that I need to try it again for dedicated speedwork sessions. Thanks for linking up with us!