treadmill ADD

bill323
bill323 Posts: 100
in Fitness and Exercise
Does anyone else feel like they uave some sort of attention span disorder when jogging/running on the treadmill? I have never been much of a runner and probably never ran much more than a mile in my life even when I was fit. I have been jogging on my treadmill with some success but my downfall is not physical endurance as much as it is mental. I get bored and feel like stopping so I do just that.

I have a 26.5 mile circuit for my bike rides and I feel as if I can go on forever.

Running outside is not an option as I fear my weight will mess my knees up over time.

Anyone else know this feel or have some words of wisdom?

Replies

  • hbrittingham
    hbrittingham Posts: 2,518 Member
    I am the same way. I try to do interval training when I am running on the treadmill because that breaks everything up for me and gives me a goal to aim for. Otherwise I run outside. It's so much less boring.
  • TLHarwick
    TLHarwick Posts: 44 Member
    music?
    Netflix?
    ITunes movies or tv shows?

    I typically run while catching up on my tv shows for the week (with my iPad)...

    I also do intervals, that way it doesn't seem so long.

    oh - and if you can find a track - they are made of that squishy surface which is much more forgiving on the knees. I have a torn ACL (small tear, never repaired) that acts up sometimes when I run on the road, but never at the track!
  • lindabee77
    lindabee77 Posts: 14 Member
    I have to do interval workouts on the treadmill or I get really bored. Here is a site that I get workouts from...it may give you some ideas. http://www.pbfingers.com/work-it-out/treadmill-workouts/
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    Treadmills make me hate running.

    And I love running.

    If forced to run indoors, I either use a track or do intervals on an elliptical.
  • msurads06
    msurads06 Posts: 66 Member
    I only walk on a treadmill as my cool down after may main workout, but its still usually 15-30 min. I find that music and tv help. but what really works for me I set my e-reader on the treadmill and read as I do my time, I usually end up going over what I had planed because I get so into what I am reading!!
  • suzyv98
    suzyv98 Posts: 9 Member
    I am currently doing the couch 2 5k app on my phone so she talks to me and tells me when to run and walk etc. But while that app is running I have my Zombies' Run app running as well. This app gives you a story line to follow. basically you are a runner going out and doing things for them. they talk to you and then they play your music and it goes back and forth. I find it amusing and I find myself looking forward to hearing the next part in the story. It does make the time go much faster and I jog more waiting to hear whats next.

    Good Luck
  • bill323
    bill323 Posts: 100
    I listen to my headphones. My current goal is actually music based and very corny. Run 1.5 miles while listening to Freebird which is around 9:15. I dont think I could watch tv while jogging. Mayhaps ill try using my ipad which would cover the distance display at the same time.
  • Txracy
    Txracy Posts: 78
    I prefer running outdoors, definitely.
    If it's really really downpouring, and I go on the treadmill, I just make sure I have something to watch on TV, or pick a lot of fun songs and really crank the music and get lost in it. Mostly I just tell myself to get through it. I can't stand running on a treadmill anymore since I first started jogging outside.

    Since I also have knee problems, I don't jog on pavement, but I do go on a nearby trail that is dirt and gravel and it's much more forgiving on my bum knee.
  • loril13
    loril13 Posts: 320 Member
    I loath the treadmill. I only use it when New England weather forces me inside. I have a rockin' mix on my iPod of songs I really love and know the words to so I can try to space out to the music and just get through the run.
  • BrunetteRunner87
    BrunetteRunner87 Posts: 591 Member
    Ugh me too...and TV shows don't make it any more interesting. I find that it is much more interesting when I do some tough intervals, that's all that keeps me from stopping.
  • sgmomma
    sgmomma Posts: 299 Member
    I unfortunately have to use the treadmill A LOT and am the same way. Intervals help a lot...covering the distance an time with a towel and counting songs helps me a lot. Also i have a small tv and dvd player in front of mine. Hoping to get to the point where I can run an entire Harry Potter movie again!
  • rumplesnat
    rumplesnat Posts: 372
    I have a very severe case of it as well. Interval training makes the time go by more quickly. Also, I listen to podcasts like Fat2fit Radio and Jillian Michaels. Sometimes I'll try to read on my Kindle Fire, but it's hard to do when running intervals.
  • enigmachik
    enigmachik Posts: 150
    I love running outside. When I run outside I often feel as though I could run forever. When I run on a treadmill I can hardly stand more than a five minutes before I want to jump off a cliff from the boredom. I know you said you don't want to run outside, but honestly you might want to consider giving it a try. It makes a world of difference.
  • 257_Lag
    257_Lag Posts: 1,249 Member
    Yup, the mental part sucks. I cover the display for what I hope is the first 30 minutes. After that it's like- What's another 5 minutes, or 10, heck lets make it an even 50 minutes. May as well do 10 more for the hour etc

    That first half hour sucks though!

    I like to get on at 6:45 so after 15 minutes Jeopardy come on TV. when that's over I am at 45 and then play the mental game above to get the last 15 in.
  • sudmom
    sudmom Posts: 202 Member
    Zombie ap looks fun-thanks for the suggestion!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,451 Member
    Do you already have bad knees? Running on a softer surface - like trails or a soft track - shouldn't be any worse for your knees than the treadmill, and far more mentally stimulating.
  • missmidge84
    missmidge84 Posts: 100 Member
    I'm the exact same way! I haven't figured out how to make it easier. I'm going to try watching something on my Kindle and hope I don't accidentally throw it off the little shelf!
  • bill323
    bill323 Posts: 100
    My knees are fine now but I want to keep them that way. My treadmill actually has a plywood deck that really absorbs the impact. I may try to run on the bike path to see how I like it.

    Thanks for all the tips. Glad to see others had the same issue and were able to work around it.
  • bill323
    bill323 Posts: 100
    I'm the exact same way! I haven't figured out how to make it easier. I'm going to try watching something on my Kindle and hope I don't accidentally throw it off the little shelf!

    I have gotten tangled up with my headphones and launced my phone off the shelf a few times.
  • Alexandra289
    Alexandra289 Posts: 330 Member
    This is exactly how I feel! Just get so bored. It's OK when I do intervals though. Not going to have access to a gym for a while now so going to try taking up running outdoors and hope I get a bit better at it!
  • morningmud
    morningmud Posts: 477 Member
    Another vote for the Zombies, Run app. I just finished the 5k version and really enjoyed it. You can still listen to your music but they lower the volume during the talk sessions where they give you a storyline to run by.
  • bill323
    bill323 Posts: 100
    so I tossed my ipad on the treadmill shelf over the display last night and started jogging whilst watching Top Gun. I only make it a half mile before watching the ipad became difficult so I dropped down to 3mph and walked it out for 46 total minutes. I dont want to spend that much time doing cardio but at least I was entertained.
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    ahh the dreadmill I hate the thought of getting on it lol I try some variety when I am on there mine has a function where I can race other people on the net that's fun I also watch something or do sprints Zombies, run I do as well that's a neat app but I am a bit farther along than it is so I feel like I am having a slow day when I do it ( I am still at the start) My husband has a game we play called treadmill suicides we start at 1mph 1% 1 min incline and move both as far up as we can loser has to do 20 push ups not sure how safe it is but its fun he can do 10 mph 10% incline 10 Mins ( the max) I can only make it to like 8 lol
  • FakingFitness
    FakingFitness Posts: 325 Member
    I listen to my headphones. My current goal is actually music based and very corny. Run 1.5 miles while listening to Freebird which is around 9:15. I dont think I could watch tv while jogging. Mayhaps ill try using my ipad which would cover the distance display at the same time.

    That's a really good idea. I'm going to steal that!
    I sometimes do audio books. Although, I admittedly forget to listen at times.
  • bill323
    bill323 Posts: 100
    My husband has a game we play called treadmill suicides we start at 1mph 1% 1 min incline and move both as far up as we can loser has to do 20 push ups not sure how safe it is but its fun he can do 10 mph 10% incline 10 Mins ( the max) I can only make it to like 8 lol

    LOL WUT!! That is just insane. If I tried to run 10MPH right now for any appreciable amount of time I could quickly be ejected across my basement. Beyond that, my ceiling is low so I am capped at about 4* of incline before I am seriously smacking my head.

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