Treadmill Running: how to not get bored?
Replies
-
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 me0 -
Intervals:
4 minutes "jogging"
1 minute "running"
or 3 minutes "running'
1 minute "sprinting"
I try to set my playlist to have the pace match my stride.
I watch t.v. with closed captions and also listen to my music.
I'm also "in my head" as someone mentioned. I'm constantly pep talking myself, doing my budget, planning my dinner, picking out my outfit for tomorrow etc. etc.0 -
I only ever go 30 minutes max. Intervals + constantly trying to run longer distances keeps it interesting.0
-
I usually focus on my form and how I run so that I don't injure my shoulder. I rear-ended someone almost 2 years ago and when I run too violently or swing my arms in bizarre ways, my shoulder starts hurting really bad to the point I can barely move it. So, I mostly focus on what I'm doing to minimize the jarring affects of running. Soon, I'd like to take up some other sport that's less harsh on my body. I run almost every night at least a mile, usually 2. As far as watching things, I usually watch the miles/minutes add up. And sneak peaks at the crazy things the other people working out are doing. LOL :laugh:0
-
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!0 -
I watch Man v Food....it disgusts and inspires me at the same time. Sports like soccer matches and track meets are great too. And you have to find your Zen spot, try covering up the readout. My record treadmill time is 3 1/2 hours when I was training for a marathon during the winter!0
-
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.0
-
Also, an earlier poster mentioned this... shows like Extreme Makeover: Weight Loss Edition & Biggest Loser are VERY motivational things to watch.0
-
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.0 -
I save my favorite shows and ONLY watch them while I'm on top speed on the treadmill-- not during warm-ups or cool downs. I run between 30 and 50 minutes at a time, so I try to parcel out the shows and watch them in 20 minute chunks. The rest of the run I either listen to music, an audiobook (reading makes me carsick on the treadmill) or work on writing a novel in my head.0
-
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"! lol0
-
There is a HUGE difference between the treadmill and running pavement. You work different muscles on pavement.
I cant stand running in place. I like to feel the wind in my face. Kick up a rabbit or a fox. Hear the sounds of nature. Each run is different! Plus it gets you outside. I dont know how you run on one of those things0 -
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.0 -
I rarely run on the treadmill for the same reason as you... SO boring! On days when I can't get out, though, I do the 30 minute challenge (it's a program button on my treadmill) that does a lot of different intervals for 30 minutes. I'm too busy concentrating on what comes next to even think about being bored!0
-
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!@!!!!!!0 -
Bump0
-
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!0 -
if you have an iphone there is an app called TreadmillVR that simulates outdoor scenery if you are running inside. i have a few friends who use it : http://www.ipadngravy.com/bring-the-outdoors-inside-with-treadmillvr/5088/0
-
Thanks to everyone for your suggestions and letting us read about what you do to fight boredom on a treadmill.
I might try watching TV/DVD again to see how that goes for me. Something to sidetrack my mind from always wanting to check the clock. LOL.There is a HUGE difference between the treadmill and running pavement. You work different muscles on pavement.
I dont know how you run on one of those things
And as far as "how" I just chose to start the C25K on a treadmill instead of outside so I didn't have to worry about heat, humidity, rain, twisting my ankle on stones, traffic, bicyclists, etc. Learning how to run by myself was tough enough without worrying about all the other crap from being outside.
BUT... Now that I almost have the C25K completed, and I'm able to run, I'll be moving outside when I can, to enjoy nature via trail running. But on those rainy, hot, humid, or winter days I'll still use my treadmill. I'll also be trying the EPOC exercises that Shin Ohtake recommends (high intensity low time sort of stuff), on the treadmill, to mix things up.0 -
I usually run on the treadmill 5 times a week, I switch it up each time I run...sometimes I will do interval running with inclines, sometimes interval running with speeds and then a combination of both speed and inclines. I workout at night and have a tv on to my favorite shows so it makes it go by fast. Or I watch a movie which helps as well. I also put a towel over the time so I am not looking at it consistently. I love running outside but with MN winters I got used to running on a treadmill.0
-
If you can see the tv, watch a movie!0
-
I try to run outside... because I get super board on the hamster wheel.
However in the winter, I am not one to brave the cold so I hit the gym. I usually tune into the tv station to get bored on my radio... So, I guess I watch TV. If I had a treadmill at home, I would do the same.0 -
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?0 -
I agree with the people that talk about interval training. I only get bored on my low intensity days. If you are trying to get your heart rate in a particular zone that is changing every 2 minutes to 30 seconds you are constantly trying to change elevation and speed so it goes by very fast. You are always "getting ready" for the sprints and so that makes it go by fast. Then you try to get something good on your IPOD for the sprints and that is a further distraction. Good luck0
-
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.0 -
I had the SAME problem! I have found that using my mp3 player and making a workout playlist really helps me to keep my mind busy. I choose upbeat music that promotes thinking. You know the saying, "Country music: three chords and the truth" lol. It lets my brain chew on ideas and soon, it seems like a lot of time has passed. I don't always listen to country music, though... I'm a spiritual person, and I have a lot of upbeat praise music, and it has truly turned my journey to a healthier lifestyle into something spiritual.
And sometimes, a simple good beat gives me something to match my steps to.0 -
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.0 -
If I run, I listen to music. I create a playlist that has only songs that are upbeat and with a good running beat. On weekends, when I'm recovering from the week, I'll walk on the treadmill at an incline, prop my iPad in front of me, and stream Netflix movies. I try to watch something different and quirky so it holds my interest.0
-
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.0 -
I'm an outside runner until it gets too cold and my asthma just won't allow it. I run on the treadmill about 3 months out of the year, but usually not on it for more than one hour. It doesn't sound like you are much of a TV person, but I will watch anything from the news to my favorite old Seinfeld reruns. I have seen them all and find myself looking foward to a favorite scene or line.
If you have anything you really enjoy, you could try it!
Good Luck0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 1.4M Health, Wellness and Goals
- 393.2K Introduce Yourself
- 43.8K Getting Started
- 260.2K Health and Weight Loss
- 175.9K Food and Nutrition
- 47.4K Recipes
- 232.5K Fitness and Exercise
- 421 Sleep, Mindfulness and Overall Wellness
- 6.5K Goal: Maintaining Weight
- 8.5K Goal: Gaining Weight and Body Building
- 153K Motivation and Support
- 8K Challenges
- 1.3K Debate Club
- 96.3K Chit-Chat
- 2.5K Fun and Games
- 3.7K MyFitnessPal Information
- 23 News and Announcements
- 1.1K Feature Suggestions and Ideas
- 2.6K MyFitnessPal Tech Support Questions