Treadmill Running: how to not get bored?

I just got a treadmill about 2 months ago and am up to running for about 67 minutes....some days are a struggle to not be bored as I stare at the wall or out the window but for the most part here are some things I do.

-Interval running - I think someone else already mentioned this although I don't sprint. Or I start at say 5.6mph for one minute, then move up to 5.7 for one minute and keep going up every minute till I reach 6.1mph. I run at that speed for 5 minutes, then work back down to 5.6 and repeat.

-Music - If you can find a song that you like and has the same rythm as your running, this helps big time...I often would hit repeat and just go. There is a chance you might get sick of the song though after the 100th time listening to it ;P

-Watch IHOP- I prop my comuter up where I can see it, plug in my headphones to it and listen to the International House of Prayer in Kansas City. I get to involved in what they're doing that 20 minutes fly's by without me realizing it, plus I get in some great time with Jesus!

Those are the things I do and work for me

I only ever go 30 minutes max. Intervals + constantly trying to run longer distances keeps it interesting.

Wow. Thanks for all the input so far everyone!

I did fail to mention that I usually have my music playing while I run. I listen to "aggressive" or "high beat-per-minute" music and the beat keeps me moving. But I still find myself getting bored visually. I don't know what to look at. And it's the same stuff every time.

I've looked at each movie on the DVD shelves, and in my mind tried to remember a good/funny part from each movie. That works for a little while, but my mind gets bored of that after 2 minutes (no, I don't have ADHD).

I've had the TV on a few times before, to try that. But like I said, if there's movement on the TV (someone running, too, or just walking to the side), my body tends to try to mimic it, and I end up losing concentration a little.

Please, more suggestions and personal stories! Thank you!

Most people said running outside is the best.. but I run outside and I STILL get bored. LOL

I like to pretend the entire world is watching me. Like, I'm running in the Olympics and I can hear the news announcers talking about me (bc that's what it's like in the Olympics, I'm sure of it! haha). "She's been running at a steady pace, but she's going to need to pick it up a bit if she plans on winning this thing." "You're right, Bob. And look, there's her family who just arrived this morning to watch her." (the camera zooms in on my husband and kids). "How very proud of her they must be..."

It's crazy, I know, but it keeps my mind roaming enough to somewhat kill the boredom!

Running, for me, is always boring. So is walking. Whether it's on a treadmill or outside. It's just too monotonous. I need something like dance to sustain my interest.

I had to run 12 miles on the treadmill Sunday...injuries and the heat index made it a bad idea to run outside. My furthest run on the treadmill had been 10K before that...so I more than doubled it (ended up running 12.5). I am not an indoor runner and mentally, it's hard for me to run and not move/see new things/feel the ocean breeze. But it had to get done as part of my marathon training...so I did it. It sucked, but everytime I thought "5 miles is far enough..." or "8 is more than I would have done outside", I also thought to myself "you are not a quitter. you will log these miles. end of story".

I watched about 90 minutes of Billy Madison and then watched 30 minutes of Real Housewives. No one else was around in my tiny apartment gym, so it was pretty much as ideal as it could have been. My suggestion is just to distract yourself as much as possible from the fact you're running on a treadmill.

It helps me to use an mp3 player and headphones. Thats what helps me the most!!! Pick out your own songs and "run with it"! lol

To be honest, I live inside my head more often than anywhere else. So it's not hard for me to just be on a treadmill for days and work up an entire Oscars acceptance speech as well cure cancer, feed the poor, star in an action film and knock out Jillian Michaels.

^ This is me. I have graciously become the trainer/cook for my favorite actors only to wind up back at the door of my house at the end of the run. :sad: Get creative, go inside your head, when I'm not creating peace in the middle east I'm being my own therapist, figuring out my day, my emotions, planning the book I'm working on...those kinds of things. Keeps me going for long periods of time.

I only run for tops 20 minutes 2x a week. I do HIIT - which is 2 minutes 4.0, 1 minute 8.0, repeat until you get to 20 minutes. It gives you an amazing workout and you're not bored...you're too busy recovering from the 1 minute sprint to be bored...and it goes by fast and has been proven more effective than steady state running!

P.S. That is the only cardio I do at all.

im doing this thursday at the gym!@!!!!!!

I HAVE to listen to music. Luckily my treadmill has a plug-in and speakers for my ipod- but I dont think I would make it 10 minutes without music.......... I have zero patience for anything so it helps keep my mind distracted.

I also find that doing a program on the treadmill- not sure if yours has that option- but it keeps me on my toes so I dont get bored. Like interval for example- as soon as I start spacing out it has me running on an incline. It just helps to break up the time and its good for you!

Recently, I have started concentrating on the things that I need to do for the day/week. I work out in the morning and it is really my only "alone" time. So, I think of the problems that need to be solved or the calls that need to be made and I organize how I am going to do all of this in my head LOL (Yes OCD does play a part in this)

Good luck!

If you can see the tv, watch a movie!

When I run on the treadmill, I am pushing myself and have limited ability to focus on anything too much. I prefer "ADHD" type shows that have short interesting or funny bits, something like america's funniest home videos, or cops, etc. It really helps make the time pass when on long runs (my record is 12 miles on the treadmill, for me that's 2 hours of boring even with a TV).

Running outside is way better, but I usually run in the same areas so it also gets old, and I prefer to run with music or a partner for longer runs.

So, Dave... Do you open carry when running outside?

Oh, the dreadmill.. I hate those things. But, they do have their uses, especially in the wintertime when it's snowing.

I have music when I run, always. I can't get into TV shows because then I'm not focused on my running, and end up getting annoyed because I forget to analyze my breathing, and I'm less in tune with my run.

What actually helps me is just putting the treadmill function on random, so it changes every few minutes, and I have to run "up" or "down" hills. Keeps my attention, since I have to adjust my stride, and focus on my breathing more. But I can't do any treadmill stuff for longer than 45 minutes, anyway, no matter what I do, because it drives me up the wall.

I listen to music that I like.

I play with the incline and speed every few minutes, always aiming to keep my heart rate in my target zone.

Sometimes I watch a movie or tv show on my iphone using my netflix app.

Curious about the poster who reads her kindle while running. Does that work out okay? I've tried reading an actual book while running on the dreadmill, but it doesn't work really well for me.

As for the OP, I have run as much as 12 miles at once on a treadmill. It's not my first choice, but Midwest winters/summers sometimes don't leave me with much choice. I once read that the key to treadmill running is to push a button every few minutes. So I'll do what previous people have suggested and mess with pace or incline every few minutes to keep things interesting. I have a spot for my laptop right in front of the treadmill, so I will watch TV too, though it's still not as motivating to me as being outside. I listen to audio books on my iPod while on long runs outdoors, and I'll sometimes use that on indoor runs too. A good playlist helps. Another Mother Runner has tons of good playlists on their site.

I've had my kids read to me while I'm on the treadmill. That's a nice way to let them practice their reading and keep them visible while still getting a workout in.

The treadmill will never be my first option, but it's good in a pinch.