Treadmill Runners in the Winter - How do you do it?
asilmegan34
Posts: 256 Member
Lately, I have been running on the treadmill and am wanting to do a half marathon later this year. I live in Illinois, in a place without sidewalks and our city doesn't salt or plow very well, so I don't feel comfortable running outside when it gets dark and it's icy/snowy.. I am getting bored on the treadmill though. For those running on the treadmill, any motivation or ideas to keep from getting bored? TIA!
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Replies
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Park the treadmill in front of the tv and put on a movie I love.
I get soooooo bored on the treadmill, but eventually I get lost in thought or the tv and the time passes.0 -
I use a TV or my tablet and watch netflix or my favorite shows on a network app. But yes, I watch something because running (or walking) on a treadmill for an hour or more is seriously boring.
God bless,
Karen0 -
TV helps. I would also start incorporating shorter interval runs into your schedule to keep it interesting. HIIT is beneficial to any runner's routine anyway. I did 4 months of training on the treadmill in the summer because I live in Texas and I would die in the heat otherwise. I have run 10 miles on the treadmill multiple times. It's not fun, but you just gotta push through it.0
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I too have my treadmill in front of the TV, and if that doesn't work I listen to my Ipod. I still get bored but those 2 things help me.0
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Can you run outside at lunchtime when it's daylight wearing YakTrax or similar?0
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If I'm at home I watch a show that I either previously recorded or that is on the TV at the time I'm running.
At the gym I do one day of speed work, one day of a tempo run, one day of an all out as fast as I can run and one day slow run. Variety helps a lot however I'm also not running more than 3-6 miles. I feel your pain though. When I was training for a half if I skipped my long run I had to do it on a treadmill at the gym. There is nothing worse than running 10 miles on a treadmill.
Oh wait. Yes there is. Accidentally hitting the STOP button at around mile 7 and having the treadmill completely stop and shut off.0 -
I would buy a safety strobe light, some Yaktrak/Stablicers and a pair of fleece lined tights and hit the open road. And, if the snow piles up, snowshoes are really fun! Winter conditions are no reason to stop your outdoor workouts.0
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I listen to music and take it mile by mile. I totally understand how much TM running can suck!0
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Dress properly (warmth & visibility) and running outside can be very enjoyable. I try to keep my treadmill use to a minimum (freezing rain or extreme cold conditions), even with the TV in the family room it's so boring - especially as you start having the longer runs in your HM training plan (I did 10 miles on mine a couple of weeks ago, it nearly killed me; 10 miles outside last Sunday was bliss)0
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I have my treadmill and bike parked infront of the TV unfortunately. I use that 50% of the time, the other days I use my itunes and listen to audio books or music. I can not wait till spring is here and I can do this stuff outside again!0
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I hear you on that - I don't have a treadmill at home so I have to go to the gym. Even though I know logically people probably really don't care/pay attention, I get really self-conscious and bored. I have no idea how to run more lightly on my feet so I feel like a hippo stomping all over the damn thing.0
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Running indoors or outdoors makes no difference to me. I tune everything out except for my breathing and my stride. As soon as my attention shifts to nature's wonders or the treadmill, I can't run anymore. The mental chatter starts and I'm finished.0
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I HATE the treadmill....but I live in northern WI and the temps lately do not allow for outdoor running. We have ours hooked up to our dish system, but I still get bored. So I got nothin'.....:laugh:0
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The treadmills at my gym have there own built in TV's that you have total control over. I scout out what is going to be on TV and plan around that. Then I run during the movie/show/sporting event and walk the commericals. I have come to prefer it over outdoor running, except in the springtime when the weather is moderate and I just want to be outdoors after winter.0
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I've run 5 half marathons and have done a majority of my training on the treadmill. My schedule, as well as where I live, doesn't always permit me to run outside. (I do see better "body" results by training outside though, so I wish I could run outside more often.)
Whether it's a great playlist on my phone or watching tv, I make it through runs.0 -
I bought a roku 3 for my old crappy garage tv.
Now I watch super old episodes of Doctor Who from Amazon Prime while I run.0 -
I found watching TV makes it more painful for me using the treadmill. If I can pay enough attention to my body as I run on the treadmill, it helps me from going crazy. Music or audio-book is essential too. I also use the treadmill before work and use the motivation that I could just stop and go into the office early or keep going as motivation to get me through my 45-60 minutes. Feels awesome when you’re done though and remembering that keeps me getting up every morning.0
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I'm stuck on the DREADmill for the next few weeks too...I live in rural Maine so running outside is not an option if I don't want to fall and sustain an injury or be picked off by a snowplow so I feel your pain. My treadmill is on an unheated porch that has some windows so it kind of feels like I'm outside (its cold anyways!
...and then I bring my laptop and watch shows. Lately I have been watching Amazing Race episodes and I feel like I'm racing too and/or Walking Dead and then it's like homemade Zombie Run. Cheesy, I know, but anything to get me through the winter months. I do feel like fast paced/action oriented works better than shows or movies where I need to hear the dialogue well to enjoy it. I also do some interval training and usually listen to music on those days. Good luck! Keep at it! Running through the winter will be well worth it when we're all back outside enjoying our runs (and not having to start from scratch since we sat all winter)!! Best to you!! 0 -
learn a new language?0
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The treadmills at the gym have tv programmed in them so you can watch tv while running/walking. I typically don't though. I play games with my speeds and change things up. I don't run the full time though. For runners that just run--I imagine it will get boring.0
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I am also a treadmill hater.
I mix it up by doing different kinds of intervals and challenges, which is good to be doing anyway if you're training for a race. For example:
Intervals: Alternate sprinting (or fast running) 400 or 800 meters with jogging or speed walking the same distance. Start at 4x400 and work your way up to more intervals and/or faster speeds.
Tempo runs: Start at a slower pace, and increase your speed every 5 minutes. Once you peak at top speed, work your way down again 5 minutes at a time.
Hills: Use the hill setting to challenge yourself.
If at all possible, try to still do your long runs outside. Can you drive somewhere that might have cleared paths? Personally, I can't do more than 6 miles on a treadmill without going insane.
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Just pulled mine into the living room in front of Big Screen TV....watch while watching Family Feuds....Easy Hour!0
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I can't run on a treadmill. I get my cleats on and consider the world an obstacle course. I run in the middle of the road ready to evade speeding garbage trucks at lightning pace.0
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Lately, I have been running on the treadmill and am wanting to do a half marathon later this year. I live in Illinois, in a place without sidewalks and our city doesn't salt or plow very well, so I don't feel comfortable running outside when it gets dark and it's icy/snowy.. I am getting bored on the treadmill though. For those running on the treadmill, any motivation or ideas to keep from getting bored? TIA!
I'm right there with you. I live near Belleville, IL in cornfield country and train regularly for half marathons on roads that have not been snowplowed. Normally most of our snow is due to warm fronts, but the last few snow events have been due to cold fronts, meaning there is no warm air behind the snow to begin the melt and clear the roads. I tried the treadmill yesterday at the base gym, but the indoor temperature was too high and I overheated.
On the few times treadmills have worked for me, I watch my Netflix app on my phone. I imagine trying to learn a language could make time pass by, and there is even an app where you "run away" from zombies and earn points, although I do not own that and cannot vouch for how well it works.
My personal solution is not perfect, but it is all I can do for now. Unless the roads are clear of ice/snow, I don't do Tempo/Speedwork runs since the lack of traction can be dangerous. Focus on doing Easy runs with short steps and Long runs. If I can find a short route with relatively clear roads, I do that repeatedly to fill in for my Long run.
I don't run in the dark either, so I save all my relatively shorter runs during the workweek and my long run on the weekend.
Good luck!
Mike0 -
If I'm at home I watch a show that I either previously recorded or that is on the TV at the time I'm running.
At the gym I do one day of speed work, one day of a tempo run, one day of an all out as fast as I can run and one day slow run. Variety helps a lot however I'm also not running more than 3-6 miles. I feel your pain though. When I was training for a half if I skipped my long run I had to do it on a treadmill at the gym. There is nothing worse than running 10 miles on a treadmill.
Oh wait. Yes there is. Accidentally hitting the STOP button at around mile 7 and having the treadmill completely stop and shut off.
I know exactly what you mean! I'd rather run outside for my longer runs as well. No more than 7 miles on the treadmill. I always do sprints or hills to keep some variety in my run. If I'm not watching TV then I have my trusty iPod. I will say that the treadmill helps me keep a consistent pace and helps me control certain aspects of my run. When I'm outdoors I enjoy that so much that I have to focus and remember to pick up the pace.0 -
Oh wait. Yes there is. Accidentally hitting the STOP button at around mile 7 and having the treadmill completely stop and shut off.
Yeeeeah...
I've been there. Just the other day (for the first time in a few months)...
I was at 10 mph (huge stretch for me) and bumped the stop button with my hand.
I bounced off the front several times before I figured it out.0 -
I'm a treadmiller year round ... (too cold in winter, too hot in summer, too many dogs and other issues ... yes, I'm a wimp!) As a mom with kids at home, it's nice to be able to go for miles and still only be 30 seconds away if needed (that does have it's disadvantages too).
As others have said, TV/Movies are helpful to keep me going.
Another option would be an indoor track ... we have a few close by, at the local gym or here in Utah the Olympic Oval has a nice track. Those do require fees, but it's something I do occasionally when I want to try running (ok, jogging) NOT on the treadmill.
I use my elliptical and stationary bike too, so that helps make things feel different too.0 -
I solve world problems while on the treadmill. It helps pass the time.0
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I used to run a lot outside, however UK weather this has been terrible- gales and rain, plus last year I was badly bitten by a dog on my arm and leg and it has put me off running one of my favourite routes. So I've just order a treadmill it arrives on Tues. Hoping to do at least 30-45 min work outs 4-5 X a week. I've been told to put it a slight incline to make it more like an outdoor run!0
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I use treadmill programs like couch to 5k or other workouts I can find. I use it as an interval workout mainly instead of building up to a 5k race. I also have a stationary bike too as Im a stay at home mum so need some home workout options. I like the jog/walk intervals and it keeps the time passing quickly and I like to keep a mental note in my head how many more runs I have to do for the workout and I keep watching timer on my laptop and it helps. I couldnt just do one speed for an hour I need to ix things up0
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