Treadmill Runners in the Winter - How do you do it?

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,
Karen

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.

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 listen to music and take it mile by mile. I totally understand how much TM running can suck!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!!

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.

Just pulled mine into the living room in front of Big Screen TV....watch while watching Family Feuds....Easy Hour!

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!

Mike

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.

I solve world problems while on the treadmill. It helps pass the time.

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 up