How do you get past the treadmill??

Im_NotPerfect
Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I love running outside. I do SO Much better running outside. I can go farther faster than on the treadmill. But since I live in a northern climate, my outside running days are few and far between. So I have a treadmill. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have the option. But I'm having either a mental issue with it or ??? But I can barely keep up to a 12 min/mile for 2 miles on a treadmill, but outside I can't slow DOWN to a 12 minute mile for 2.5 miles! How do I get past this mental block on the treadmill so that I can keep my endurance up?
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Replies

  • YoungDoc2B
    YoungDoc2B Posts: 1,593 Member
    Bundle up and run outside. Otherwise, do you atleast have access to an indoor track? Anything is better than the dreadmill
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Ugh! I hate the treadmill.

    Try interval training, HIIT, changing your music playlist often.

    All these things, I find make the treadmill slightly more bearable.
  • My1985Freckles
    My1985Freckles Posts: 1,039 Member
    Well, since you technically aren't "moving" when on a treadmill, in order to pass the other treadmill you will need to get off, pick up your treadmill and carry it in front of the other treadmill.........

    Oh wait, you were talking about something else.
  • KANGOOJUMPS
    KANGOOJUMPS Posts: 6,474 Member
    EASY!, just walk right on by and grab a whiskey!
  • contingencyplan
    contingencyplan Posts: 3,639 Member
    I don't run, period. Treadmill OR outside. I would rather jump rope. =P
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    Get a HR monitor and set your pace by it. That way the intensity on your body will be the same regardless of the environment.

    For most of your easy runs you shoud be at 75% max heartrate and below.
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    Bundle up and run outside. Otherwise, do you atleast have access to an indoor track? Anything is better than the dreadmill

    Oh it's not a matter of bundling up...it's more a matter of the ice. I don't even mind the snow! But right now we're in the midst of melting and then refreezing on all of our streets and sidewalks.
  • kennie2
    kennie2 Posts: 1,170 Member
    put a tv or something in front of the treadmill with your favorite tv show on. time will fly just like that!
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    I too "run" faster outside rather than in. I usually interval the treadmill.
  • RGv2
    RGv2 Posts: 5,789 Member
    Bundle up and run outside. Otherwise, do you atleast have access to an indoor track? Anything is better than the dreadmill

    Oh it's not a matter of bundling up...it's more a matter of the ice. I don't even mind the snow! But right now we're in the midst of melting and then refreezing on all of our streets and sidewalks.

    Bingo^
  • tjphelps73
    tjphelps73 Posts: 171 Member
    Emotionally do you feel the treadmill is more restricting than the outdoors in your freedom? Suggestion - make sure treadmill is placed by a window for outdoor scenery, cover up the treadmill buttons etc., put in your running music, and start running.
  • Jerrypeoples
    Jerrypeoples Posts: 1,541 Member
    maybe once i hit 200 i will start on the treadmill but for now i use the elliptical.

    1 hour on the weight loss settings (do it twice since it is a 30 minute program)

    ipod nano with a heavy dose of golden earring, pearl jam, faith no more, iron maiden and alice in chains
  • KittieLea
    KittieLea Posts: 1,156 Member
    Try HIIT. You can do 15-20 minutes and that time goes pretty fast since you're constantly having to stop and start. I HATE the dreadmill too, that's why I haven't been on one in WEEKS!

    Good luck!
  • Jennloella
    Jennloella Posts: 2,286 Member
    When I lived in Oregon where it rained 10 months out of the year, i just had to dress for it. I had to invest in cold gear and get out there because I also would not go as long on the treadmill, it's boring.
  • _DaniD_
    _DaniD_ Posts: 2,186 Member
    I'm the same.. I started running on the treadmill last winter at about a 10.5 minute mile, then when spring came and I stared running outside to my surprise I was running 9.5 minute miles.

    I just cannot run as fast on the treadmill..don't know why, but I can't.

    ETA: I stick with easy on the treadmill and challenge my pace more when running outside. I don't even bother trying to work on my pace on the treadmill anymore, it's too frustrating.
  • msrootitooti
    msrootitooti Posts: 253 Member
    For me, i either do speed intervals or hill intervals.. that seems to help a bit..
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    Bundle up and run outside. Otherwise, do you atleast have access to an indoor track? Anything is better than the dreadmill

    Oh it's not a matter of bundling up...it's more a matter of the ice. I don't even mind the snow! But right now we're in the midst of melting and then refreezing on all of our streets and sidewalks.

    Ahhh...well then...ice skates :smile:

    On a serious note, you just have to suck it up. I blast my music even louder or I switch things up and do some intervals or something until I can get back outside.
  • Dee_84
    Dee_84 Posts: 431 Member
    I second interval training on the treadmill.
    It's much easier to run 1-2 min at a high speed and then either run really slow or walk for a couple minutes.
  • SteveJWatson
    SteveJWatson Posts: 1,225 Member
    I have run outside, but I cannot bring myself to go on a treadmill, ever.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    I love running outside. I do SO Much better running outside. I can go farther faster than on the treadmill. But since I live in a northern climate, my outside running days are few and far between. So I have a treadmill. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad to have the option. But I'm having either a mental issue with it or ??? But I can barely keep up to a 12 min/mile for 2 miles on a treadmill, but outside I can't slow DOWN to a 12 minute mile for 2.5 miles! How do I get past this mental block on the treadmill so that I can keep my endurance up?

    I run outside a couple times a week (weather permitting) and on a treadmill a couple times a week, so I can relate, although the treadmill doesn't "bother" me like some people. Even if it gets a bit boring, I have a really good, motivating playlist that I listen to.

    Run at the slower pace but put your treadmill on a slight incline to imitate the uneven terrain you'd encounter outside. Even if you're running at a slower pace, you can build up your endurance by doing longer, slower runs.
    You can also mix things up by doing interval training on the treadmill.
  • Aeriel
    Aeriel Posts: 864 Member
    I find the same thing, and I think for me, it is a fear of stretching out my stride on the treadmill. I am subconsciously worried about stepping off the belt, either front or back. So my stride is shorter, and my run is not as comfortable. If I really focus on my stride, I can maintain the same pace effortlessly, but it is a mental game.

    Edited to add: I am dealing with the crappy ice/snow/melt/refreeze right now as well. Can't wait to get back outside!
  • drblevins
    drblevins Posts: 1
    I had the same problem. I solved mine by reading a book while using the threadmill. It occupies my mind (the same as paying attention to my surroundings as I run ). Good luck.
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    I use the treadmill for intervals. I think my issue is I micro adjust my pace outside, and I can't on a treadmill. So don't play its game, switch up your speeds, then get back to distance when your outside.
  • moustache_flavored_lube
    moustache_flavored_lube Posts: 849 Member
    I run outside in Colorado all winter (down to about -5)... The biggest obstacle for me is the mud on the trails when it warms after snows.

    In my experience it usually seems like it will be way worse out than it actually is. Once you get warmed up running in the winter is awesome
  • runnrgrl74
    runnrgrl74 Posts: 11 Member
    I love to run on the trails near our house, but very very often have to run on my treadmill because of childcare issues. I have done a number of 2+ hour runs on the thing. Fortunately, I don't mind the treadmill. I prefer the trails, but the treadmill isn't so bad and it's definitely better than not running at all. Having said that, there are some things I'll do to entertain myself on the treadmill, such as playing with the speed and incline to do intervals or hills. These really help to pass the time. I'll also look at gossipy magazines that I never read otherwise, like People & Us. I like them because there's not really much reading to them, just short little paragraphs, but there's lots of great photos. The photos & the little bit of reading really help me pass the time & really keep me entertained. The miles can fly by when I'm looking at these magazines. My husband likes to place the Kindle on the treadmill and watch tv shows while he runs. He says it makes the run go really quickly. Personally, I have to have music when I run so a tv show won't work for me, but he loves it.
  • cljabusc
    cljabusc Posts: 48
    i put my earphones in, and have music that makes me feel like a boss chick. when i start to focus on how uncomfortable I am and how much it hurts, I turn my music up a notch... and pretty soon its blasting and I can't even focus on the pain and just focus on the loud beat and lyrics...works for me....

    -do so at your own risk though.... we all know earphones pose a danger of hearing loss :S

    edit to add: a gym I went to previously had a running track. and that was awesome cuz i would count my laps and run past the hunks doing their weights... :)
  • MeanSophieCat
    MeanSophieCat Posts: 200 Member
    I don't mind running on the treadmill - although I prefer outside - but I have the same problem with speed.

    After lots of self-study - I found I take shorter steps on the treadmill. I am taking just as many steps and my heart-rate is the same but stride is shorter.

    Maybe I'm wrong - but for now I just don't worry about it. I'll get outside soon enough and I'll be faster. My stride naturally lengthens and I'm faster without any additional effort.

    To make the time pass quicker, I watch Netflix on my tablet. I have one show reserved for treadmill run days. I actually look forward to watching it because it is something I won't let my kids watch and can't regularly see :)
  • PlunderBunneh
    PlunderBunneh Posts: 1,705 Member
    Know that feel. Check around at your local gyms and recreation centers, and find one that has a running track. It's not as great as outside, but it's infinitely better than a treadmill.
  • TrailRunner61
    TrailRunner61 Posts: 2,505 Member
    I'm ocd so I have some quirky things to get me through it.
    I sweat a lot so I wipe my face only every 5 minutes. I know it's odd but it keeps me going to finish that segment of 5 minutes.
    Music, I have to have music to keep my speed up and it has to have a faster beat than the pace I'm running at or be at least close to it.
    I can't stand to read but I'll watch movies on my laptop. It's hard for me to get into my pace though.
    I printed some pics from a vacation to Hawaii and put them on the wall in front of the treadmill. I also have it placed in front of a window.
    I chew gum.
    Drink a sip of water at 1/2 mile intervals.
    Use chapstick after 1 mile.
    Keep track of my cals burned with an HRM.
    I plan a nice meal (healthy) that I know I can look forward to later in the day. That inspires me to keep going and to run harder, longer.
    If I'm at the gym, I run faster than the people around me. hehe
    I pretend I'm somewhere else, like my fave trail instead.
    I tell myself how glad I'll be when I'm done.
    Just starting intervals, but that may help you. I'm doing intervals with incline also.
  • klynnshuck
    klynnshuck Posts: 33 Member
    I put a tv in front of the treadmill. Cover the display up and just go. I pick the pace to begin and don't let myself to change it unless I want to go harder. I also love to interval train. My treadmill beeps when changing the pace so I still don't have to see the display to know the change is coming. I also use the nike+ app which keeps track of my monthly totals both on treadmill and outside. It gives "badges" for beating your past records. I find it pretty motivational which I beat my fastest 5k time or up my average minute per mile.

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