This week’s Tuesday Topic is: Show us your year in bling! You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida! Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier! Remember to come back for later linkers!
I’m deviating from this week’s topic (I didn’t run any races this year so no bling) to write about a topic that was talked about a few weeks ago. I missed the linkup that week and am now writing about it.
I do not own a treadmill. I really wished I did. Once I have more room, I plan to get a Peloton treadmill. I know Kim has one and she loves it. I do like running outside but sometimes the weather is not the best. Also, training for a 50k requires longer runs and I am not sure how much earlier I can get out in the morning to get it done and be on time for work.
Anyway, I’ve done many, many runs on the treadmill. There was one year where I did a lot of my runs on it while training for the Chicago Marathon. I actually do not mind the treadmill at all. I do like it. I know many people don’t and that is OK.
Here are some tips that worked for me.
• Listen to fun music. I have a variety of Spanish and English music and various playlists. Depending on how I was feeling is the music I would pick.
• Watch TV. Sometimes music gets on my nerves so I prefer to watch TV. I’ve watched whatever is playing on the television or a show on my iPad.
• Change incline and/or pace. I did my runs at 0% incline but made sure to change the pace. I would set a timer for 1:30/2:00 minutes or 3:00/4:00 minutes and then change the pace (I would have 3 different paces) at the sound of the buzzer. Or I would change it after each song. This would make the run a bit more exciting and made the time go by faster.
• Break up the run into parts. I never did a run without stopping. Who wants to run 10 miles without stopping? Not me. For a run of that distance, I would run 2.5 miles, take a quick break, and run again 2.5 miles. Then I would use the bathroom and/or get more water and repeat for the rest of the 5 miles. Something similar could be done for 12, 14, or 16 miles. The key is to not think of it as a LONG run of 12, 14, 16 miles but instead as short and quick runs with breaks in between.
Yes or no to treadmill running?
I like your tip with breaking up a long treadmill run into smaller units, it makes it a lot more manageable!
Personally, I only used the treadmill on business trips. For example, I often had to travel to India for work and it was very convenient to have a treadmill in the hotel gym.
Good luck with your 50k training! You’ve got this!
Anything to make time go faster too!
Ha ha, well I’m a big NO to treadmill running, LOL. But, I do have to suck it up, on occasion, and just get it done inside if the weather conditions are too dangerous outside. I have to break up the runs, too…for my mental and physical well-being. My body does not like the repetitive nature (nor do my long legs) and I get SO bored (no access to a tv where my ‘mill sits).
We just need to do whatever it takes to get it done.
A big NO. But you do what you have to do to get it gone.
Great tips.
Exactly!
All great points, Zenaida! While I don’t love treadmill running, I am so grateful to have one for when the weather isn’t conducive to running outside.
I trained for the 2010 Boston Marathon mostly on a treadmill because we had a really snowy winter and our sidewalks/trails don’t get cleaned very quickly. I didn’t own my treadmill yet so I’d go to the gym and run, sometimes before the gym opened (I was a trainer there so I had a key). I did several 16-milers and at least one 20-mile run on the treadmill.
Thanks for the linkup and have a great rest of your week!
That is great that you had a key to the gym! I am hoping that I don’t have to join a gym while training for my race but if I have to then I will.
For me, the treadmill is a necessary evil. I definitely prefer running outside but it’s nice to have the treadmill if I need it. I like to run intervals on it–it helps the time pass faster. My longest TM run is 11 miles and that was tough!
I know the treadmill is plan B. I think my longest run is 14 or 16 miles.
COVID spooked me a bit and I opted out of running outdoors for most of summer 2020. I have a Peloton treadmill and I logged about 95% of my miles on that. I’m still in that habit and hardly run outside! It’s just so nice to turn on a class and once I’m done I can stretch and shower right away. Running outdoors requires planning and I don’t like doing it alone in the mornings anymore.
I am jealous of your Peloton treadmill!
I really struggle on treadmills so haven’t replaced mine since it broke down! Having said that, it is so valuable to have especially when it’s too hot, cold or dark out – and watching TV definitely helped me get through those tough runs!
Are you thinking about replacing your treadmill?
I’ve thought long and hard about it. And to be honest, no. Looking at the cost of it here, and the fact that I really do struggle on them, I wouldn’t use it enough to justify the cost.
I’ve only ran on a treadmill a few times and it was when I was on a cruise and needed to keep up my marathon training. Hate is a strong word but I strongly disliked it. Maybe it was because I was more concerned about what I was missing on the cruise. Maybe in a different environment it would be better. (?)
FOMO! 🙂
Like you, i don’t own a treadmill, and also like you, I don’t mind running on one. I used to do speedwork on the treadmill at the gym once a week, and once I did an 18 mile long run on the treadmill (due to thunderstorms outside.) I used all your tricks, including breaking it up. I got off to use the bathroom after mile 6 and mile 12- funny how much I looked forward to those bathroom breaks!
We are definitely alike!!
You know my answer re: treadmills, although I really dislike to do long runs on them. I once did an 8 mile run on mine (long time ago) — which was a pain because the treadmill shuts down after 90 minutes (which is too short a time for me for 8 miles!).
I have definitely found using the Peloton app makes treadmill runs more enjoyable. I also hope I never live somewhere where I can’t have my own treadmill!
Oh yeah, that 90 minutes time limit is annoying!
So I am a no unless there is an emergency situation. I do have one that is collecting dust for such an emergency 🙂
Hopefully there won’t be such emergency. I am crossing my fingers for a mild Winter.
Fun music is a must! I find it makes the run far less boring.
Great minds think alike!