How to Make the Treadmill Less Boring

itsclobberintime

glevinso wrote: »

itsclobberintime wrote: »

Go jog outside.

Easy to say, but when its dark, icy, snowy, etc, you still gotta put the training in.

sistrsprkl

I walk with the incline all the way up or run as fast as I can at a slight incline. It's not boring.

glevinso

Heh... cute and all but I would rather get my full run in, uninjured and safe

MysticRealm

I watch Netflix. Eventually I will have to start running outside to prepare for my Tough Mudder in september, and I dread not being able to watch netflix to pass the time. Then it will just be music.

lingo10

netflix 10000% if you have it on your device. Tv if your gym as it or your machine has it. Read a muscle mag and envision the best version of your body. Its what I do, all 3. lol

shadow2soul

NekoneMeowMixx wrote: »

Eudoxy wrote: »

I like the zombies run app. I've never used it on a treadmill, but I think it would probably be even more useful there since it puts you in another little world.

I didn't think about that... To my knowledge, it requires a GPS signal, so I'm not sure if it will work or not, but I'll certainly look into it.

Nope no GPS required to use the app. You can hold the phone and it will track based on steps (if your phone has the ability). You can also turn off the zombie chases that cause you too need to increase speed and just set your phone on the treadmill. Or if you get the 5k one there isn't any zombie chases, it's similar to C25k, and the story for it is you are training to be a Runner for Abel Township. Oh the regular app also has an interval training feature (if you buy it) which you don't have to hold the phone or use GPS for either.

I'm currently using Zombies,Run!5k while on the treadmill and I just set my phone on the treadmill. My running ability sucks atm, but I'm working to improve that. I also have the regular Zombies,Run! app.

JoRocka

Hornsby wrote: »

glevinso wrote: »

I put on cycling videos, or track and field videos and pretend I am as awesome as the guys on screen. I would mute the video as the commentary can be boring and overlay whatever music you like.

Other people watch movies, etc. Anything that will completely distract you from the hamster-like device you are on.

I will run outside when I can but the treadmill is a necessary tool for when it is simply impractical to run outside. Like when "long run day" and "ice storm day" coincide. 13 miles on the treadmill it is. *sigh*

I don't run nearly as much as you, but I have done 6.3 on a treadmill with a 8:47 pace. I don't see how you could power through 13 miles. I was so bored and pissed off by the time I was done...

I remember when I was in HS I think I put in 8 miles on the treadmill.. I had to go pee- got off-and almost fell over trying to walk.

I take a moment to try to re-calibrate after I'm done- and also a good movie- because god- that's a long time. Never an issue outside- but inside- horrible.

MysticRealm

MysticRealm wrote: »

I watch Netflix. Eventually I will have to start running outside to prepare for my Tough Mudder in september, and I dread not being able to watch netflix to pass the time. Then it will just be music.

I will add to my response and say that it does have to be the 'right show' to truly pull me in and make me 'forget' I'm running. Something pretty action packed. Star Trek (the new movie) was able to do the job. There were times where I was totally engrossed, then time I could feel myself come out of it (usually when the sound was quieter and I could hear the guy's tv next to me blaring his show (mine was on my phone with my headphones plugged in)).

NekoneMeowMixx

glevinso wrote: »

itsclobberintime wrote: »

Go jog outside.

Easy to say, but when its dark, icy, snowy, etc, you still gotta put the training in.

^^^ That.

Also, again. I loathe winter, and my asthma acts up when it's cold out, so I'd probably wind up suffering that much more by jogging outside... Once it's warmer out, yes-- definitely. But not until then...

Also, @glevinso‌ -- I will definitely have to check out these videos. They sound pretty entertaining.

kristinegift

I've learned not to mind the treadmill by having kickass music to listen to, and then changing the speed/elevation every .1-.25 of a mile. The constant variance keeps me occupied. Sometimes a great song comes on, and I go all out for the chorus. Sometimes I put the incline on 4-6% and do a "hill" for .05 or .1 of a mile. I'm pretty sure I drive my gym neighbors crazy, but when you have 6 or 7 miles to do on the treadmill, you have to do something to keep your mind off how dull it is. There's also a little color screen on the treadmills at my gym that have different "view" settings; I set it on the track and challenge myself to do a lap at a faster pace, etc. Breaking each mile into 4 parts helps me break it down mentally into something a little more fun.

NekoneMeowMixx

joleneee421 wrote: »

I live in Chicago. So with this extreme cold we've been having, running outside is NOT an option. I'll wait until spring so j don't break my neck on black ice.

I'm on my last couple weeks of c25k and so I'm running for 25 minutes at a time. Which is pretty boring on a treadmill. I can't watch tv because I lose my footing and almost fly off backwards. So instead I play with the speeds. I'll run quickly for a couple minutes. Slow it down for another few. You're focusing on running but it does somehow make the time go by quicker since you're now only focusing on smaller increments.

I'm so glad that I'm not the only one who loses their balance if they try to jog whilst watching TV... I just chalk it up to vertigo, but perhaps I'm just clumsy, heh :P

sheldonklein

Juggling flaming swords breaks the monotony. Otherwise, it's just a necessary evil.

debubbie

I am doing the Couch25k program too and I get bored while on the treadmill. I use an app called Bitgym on my tablet ($8 a month for the winter months, I will cancel when it is warm enough to be outside) to "run" on trails or "become" a tourist in Italy and other places. I love being outside, but I hate the cold and ice that is winter right now. I have missed three weeks of work because the weather has been so bad here. I love setting my tablet up and getting it done. I have found that I am inspired by the scenery and "factoids" of the trail that I workout longer than I had intended. Especially on the rower! It doesn't have a TV anywhere by and nothing to look at except for the slow moving numbers on the rower.

JenniferInCt

I do 65minutes on the treadmill, alternating between brisk walking with high incline to running (ha- trying to run) at a medium incline. I must, MUST, have my iphone or ipad with me so i can watch my tv shows! I kinda sickly enjoy the treadmill. Actually, trying to do more weights, less cardio but ive learned to love my treadmill time. Its the time i use to escape, and i put my headphones on, and watch every tv show that id never get to watch at home with my man. Lol now im into Empire, which he'd never watch. I prefer shows an hour long so it fits almost perfectly. I quit Netflix awhile back but my cable provider (Comcast) has a free app that lets you watch everything online easily. It actually has more content than On Demand, with all episodes of shows. I sometimes go to the gym just so i can get to watch my show! I never let myself watch at home, because it motivates me to have something to look forward to. And i am just not an outdoor runner- YET. I will be soon though! A goal of mine. Best of luck!

kruuTahn

NekoneMeowMixx wrote: »

Eudoxy wrote: »

I like the zombies run app. I've never used it on a treadmill, but I think it would probably be even more useful there since it puts you in another little world.

I didn't think about that... To my knowledge, it requires a GPS signal, so I'm not sure if it will work or not, but I'll certainly look into it.

Appreciate everyone who's working on getting me outside, but again, I loathe the winter. Likely because I have asthma (not severely, though it's far worse in the winter-- I have a hard time walking through the parking lot in the winter without my chest hurting...) Plus I'm already fighting a flu-like bug, so outside probably isn't best :P

Zombies, Run! is great on the treadmill. You can manually input your distance at the end of a run, so you don't need the GPS for that. The big thing you miss out on is the intermittent zombie chases, which do require GPS. But I just turn those off when I run inside. You've still got hours of story to run through. And make sure you have a good apocalyptic playlist to go along with it!

tzig00

I'm like that too. I have the tv going and my music in. I tend to like the tv more when it's closed captioned then I can watch it, read it, and have my music going in the background. I don't know if it's ADD or what but it keeps my mind off how tired I am and focused on something else. Before you know it, a whole show has gone by and you're still running. Just make sure to not watch the time because the second I look at it, I instantly feel winded.

NekoneMeowMixx

kruuTahn wrote: »

NekoneMeowMixx wrote: »

Eudoxy wrote: »

I like the zombies run app. I've never used it on a treadmill, but I think it would probably be even more useful there since it puts you in another little world.

I didn't think about that... To my knowledge, it requires a GPS signal, so I'm not sure if it will work or not, but I'll certainly look into it.

Appreciate everyone who's working on getting me outside, but again, I loathe the winter. Likely because I have asthma (not severely, though it's far worse in the winter-- I have a hard time walking through the parking lot in the winter without my chest hurting...) Plus I'm already fighting a flu-like bug, so outside probably isn't best :P

Zombies, Run! is great on the treadmill. You can manually input your distance at the end of a run, so you don't need the GPS for that. The big thing you miss out on is the intermittent zombie chases, which do require GPS. But I just turn those off when I run inside. You've still got hours of story to run through. And make sure you have a good apocalyptic playlist to go along with it!

My only other thing with that app-- when I was looking into it, it looks like when you hear zombies, you're supposed to start running... As C25K has set intervals during which you walk and run, respectively, I don't think this would work?

If nothing else, it's definitely something to consider once the C25K is done...

purelyromantical

I'm just about to get into using a treadmill for the first time, so all of this is helpful information!

compgeek812

I have no idea how some of you guys can read while running, would love to but the bouncing motion messes me up too much and I constantly lose my place.
For music though I found Two Steps from Hell is really good for getting lost in

NekoneMeowMixx

compgeek812 wrote: »

I have no idea how some of you guys can read while running, would love to but the bouncing motion messes me up too much and I constantly lose my place.
For music though I found Two Steps from Hell is really good for getting lost in

Ditto on the not being able to read. The same goes for watching television. It makes me dizzy and I start tripping over my feet, heh.

GTJanuary

Okay here is my suggestion since I have the same problem with my stationary bike. It gets boring. If you have access to a slideshow making app or slideshow software, go on the internet and download photos of the most desirable places you could ever dream of going. Mine was California. Put them together in a slideshow and add your favorite music to the music track and then burn to a DVD. Whenever you get bored or need motivation, play the DVD while you are on your boring exercise equipment. Works wonders for motivation and makes workout fun! Have fun!

electriq

I listen to music, play around with intervals - change speed and incline and also something I don't think anyone has mentioned yet; listen to podcasts!

I got through 75 minutes yesterday like that