Just tell me it's possible (2+ hours on a treadmill :)

We're having a crazy snowstorm and I need to run 13 miles tomorrow as part of my training.

Has anyone done it on a treadmill- & in the gym?

I need some success stories to refer back to mentally when I'm doing this tomorrow. It's going to be BORING, probably STUFFY, and people are going to look at me WEIRDLY! :)
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Replies

  • Yanicka1
    Yanicka1 Posts: 4,564 Member
    Wow....can't help you since I can't endure more than 30 minutes on the dreadmill. Bumping just in case.

    Good luck
  • lua_
    lua_ Posts: 258 Member
    I did 1hr 10mins and listened to an audiobook throughout. Good luck :)
  • GoMizzou99
    GoMizzou99 Posts: 512 Member
    I did the entire 1st half of the super bowl at 3.8 mph at an 8 degree incline....a little over 2 hours. I took 5 minute breaks about every 30 to 45 minutes though.
  • JerseyGirlinTN
    JerseyGirlinTN Posts: 144 Member
    I do it, and I'll be doing it today for 11 miles. It's not easy, but it can be done. I actually bring my tablet and read a book while I'm running (I'm not a super speedy runner, lol).
  • autumnblade75
    autumnblade75 Posts: 1,661 Member
    I've done over 100 minutes on a treadmill. Totally possible. Works best if you can be motivated by the little flashy dot moving around the little oval track on the display. I intend to train for my own half marathon this year, and mostly on the treadmill. My outdoor running route is pretty flat, and the treadmill can at least simulate a hilly course. The uphills, anyway - downhills in real life will probably kill me.
  • april1445
    april1445 Posts: 334
    I had 2 friends who trained for the Ironman, and they would spend 6+ hours on various machines--sometimes in a sauna to mimic Hawaii weather. And they did it often!
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    Dunno....but my cousin who is an ultra guy did 20+ miles on a treadmill before. Personally I would rather allow my cat to claw my eye balls out than run that long on a treadmill...but that is just me.

    I am guessing a very, very good music list, or maybe a pod cast to help keep your mind occupied. Try and get one of the treadmills with those personal televisions if you can.
  • Dragonflag07
    Dragonflag07 Posts: 64 Member
    i did it once in the past at a hotel gym whilst travelling with work and having no idea where to run. Was boring but hey ho, ask yourself how bad do you want it
  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    I think I'd be downloading an audio book to listen to.


    I've done an hour on the treadmill but it was mind-numbing.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    Good luck to yo!

    I get bored.
    And even outside, my max is like 6-7 miles til im bored and want to stop running (figured this out after my half haha)
  • bugaha1
    bugaha1 Posts: 602 Member
    I think people will come and go and not even know how long you been running.

    I was on a stair machine at my gym (the one with rolling stairs) and this gal next to me was on for 110 mins, on the highest speed 25, she was up to 17,000 stairs and I think that’s like 850 floors climbed. She went another 20 min. after I left. I just couldn’t comprehend that kind of cardio level. lol
  • momof2boyz832
    momof2boyz832 Posts: 682 Member
    Have done it but with lots of help from music.I have the 8track app on my phone and just keep moving. It is long and boring but I want it more than I want to get off.
  • tuckerrj
    tuckerrj Posts: 1,453 Member
    I do an hour forty five minutes on my elliptical once a week. The key for me is to have something interesting on tv in front of me. Usually it's a football game or some other sport to distract me from the monotony.
  • LouSmorals
    LouSmorals Posts: 93 Member
    Not on a dreadmill, but have spent that long on a bike trainer in my garage (just as boring I assure you). I did it by watching a movie on a laptop. With a treadmill you could use an iPad. An audiobook is also a possibility, you primary challenge will be boredom.
  • ibleedunionblue
    ibleedunionblue Posts: 324 Member
    I did 17 miles last night. Just a few minutes longer than 2 hours. Yes, its possible.
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    Have you got a tablet or similar?

    I tend to be more motivated to stay on if there's something interesting to watch - so stick a film on that's about the right time or similar.

    At the gym in the past I've stayed longer than intended on cardio equipment when someone bike/car racing came on the Sports channel of the big TVs they had and I wanted to watch the race to the end and so on.
  • bugaha1
    bugaha1 Posts: 602 Member
    I personally get bored also on the cardio machines so instead of staying on more than an hour to burn a certain number of calories or to increase my endurance level. I’d rather pick up the pace and the resistance to burn the same calories in 45 min. It’s like the cycling classes they're not designed for 90 min. for a reason, they're designed to kick your butt in 60 min. or less. lol
  • Rerun201
    Rerun201 Posts: 125 Member
    It's possible. Just stream a movie or whatever you like to watch and it will fly by...
  • AnneGenevieveS
    AnneGenevieveS Posts: 441 Member
    I have done that. Put your treadmill in front of the TV and turn on a good movie!! Try to zone out to the movie while your legs keep moving. Makes the time go by faster inside.

    I also much prefer running outside though.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
    It's definitely doable. You can use the usual distractions--TV,music etc-- but mostly I think you just have to set you frame of mind to just relax and focus on the "zen" of the running.

    If you are at a club, hopefully there won't be an issue. Many paces either purposefully limit max duration on the TM or else leave it at the factory default--which can be 30-60 minutes. Some newer TM models have a "marathon mode" that allows for unlimited time,but you'd have to get someone on the staff to go into the configuration mode to change it for you.
  • smittygirl
    smittygirl Posts: 36 Member
    I have a track at my gym so when doing long runs i do both track and treadmill to mix it up and that helps, not sure if you have this option though.
  • Ninkyou
    Ninkyou Posts: 6,666 Member
    Yeah... tablet or something. I bring my tablet and stream video over the gym's wifi. I've never done 2 hours, but I've done an hour. Be careful though, at my Y the treadmills are programmed to 'cool down' at an hour. It completely threw me off. Almost lost my balance with the sudden speed change. Not sure other gyms do this or just mine, but a word of caution is always good, lol.
  • goldthistime
    goldthistime Posts: 3,214 Member
    I put the tv on closed caption, find something interesting to watch AND play my music. I love the combo. Just walking right now but I find time flies this way.
  • khoshgeleh16
    khoshgeleh16 Posts: 150 Member
    Oh man, good luck! I had to treadmill over Christmas, and that was only 5k before I was wanting to climb the walls... even with a television!
  • mitchiejo
    mitchiejo Posts: 179 Member
    I personally have not but my sister does. She is training for the Boston Marathon (her first year qualifying for it). When we have crappy weather like today with all this snow she hits the treadmill for her runs. She catches up on some of her television shows or watches movies.

    I would absolutely die of boredom myself but YES it can be done!!
  • mtikky
    mtikky Posts: 53 Member
    I've just done over 2.5 miles on a crosstrainer in 30 minutes... so based on that a half marathon would take just over 2 and a half hours... doable but bring a well stocked MP3 player. :D
  • UrbanRunner81
    UrbanRunner81 Posts: 1,207 Member
    I think I am going to have to do today :( I need 11 miles, shouldn't take me 2 hours but close enough. I have ran in some crazy weather but I don't think I can manage a good run in the amount of snow we are getting. I think I'd be out there for 3 hours with our weather.
  • buzzcogs
    buzzcogs Posts: 296 Member
    I frequently run 1-1 1/2 hours on the treadmill and I've run over 2 hours so it can be done. Take some music or audiobook and headphones. Nobody will look at you strangely..people on the treadmill are way too focused on their own training!
    Bring a small towel (to wipe the sweat because I sweat like crazy on the treadmill), and a water bottle. Have a strategy: I plan to run at a certain pace for 50 mins or so then I start at that pace and count down. Then I change up my pace and run at that pace for a while just to mix it up. You don't have to do it exactly like I do but definitely have a plan. And counting down seems to make a big difference. Some of the treadmills have a graphic that shows a trail or track..this helps a lot and gives you something to focus on (just like when you are running distance outside). Some treadmills have tvs! I love those..you get some "guilt-free" tv watching in at the same time.
    You can do it..remember the treadmill is easier on your feet and legs so you are saving some wear and tear too!
    Good luck!
  • Commander_Keen
    Commander_Keen Posts: 1,179 Member
    How are you going to do it.
    Isn't there a time limit on how long you can stay on the treadmill ? Usually 30-45 min?

    Anything is possible.
    Bring an Ipad or a tablet and watch netflex
  • acpgee
    acpgee Posts: 7,893 Member
    My weapon of choice is the elliptical. To combat the boredom I watch catch up TV on the smart phone.