Although I haven’t mentioned my training plan in the last couple of weeks, I’m still completely on board with it. I can’t believe that I’ve actually reached the last stretch of the plan. I always knew I could achieve the distance physically if I trained for it. The bigger obstacle for me was mental: how would I run over 90 minutes on a treadmill without losing my mind?!
I’m not sure whether it’s due to the motivation from successfully completing my past 5 long runs, the reward of buying a new pair of jeans once I achieve my goal, or because I’ve finally found ways to squash the monotony of running forward yet moving nowhere. Whatever it is, I am pumped to crank out those 10 miles on Monday morning, and hopefully I will walk out that gym a sane person.
If the idea of running on a dreadmill treadmill fills you with dread, here are some tips that may help overcome the boredom:
- Load up your iPod with podcasts/audiobooks: Between Jillian Michaels and Tina Fey, listening to podcasts/audiobooks during my long runs make me feel like I’m running with a friend. And the best part is, I am entertained yet don’t have to speak back.
- Aim for intensity instead of time: On those days where I really cannot fathom the idea of being on the treadmill for more than 20-30 minutes, I don’t…but I make sure every minute counts. Put your big girl panties on, run fast, run hard, and you can cry about how exhausting it feels once it is over.
- Cover up the screen with a towel: Seeing the numbers increase actually motivate me to continue. However I know clock-watching can also have the opposite effect on some, and so if you are one of them, nip it in the bud: the more you look at the clock, the slower time will pass so don’t torture yourself unnecessarily…just don’t!
- Opt for a pyramid interval workout: Time flies with any interval workout because you need to pay so much attention to your interval times. The idea behind these runs is that you’re going up and down a ‘pyramid’: slower speeds are run for longer periods of time whereas harder, faster speeds are run in short bursts. Check out my personal favorite pyramid workout.
- Try something new: If running is usually your thing, switch things up by lowering the speed and amping up the incline. Walking may seem ‘too easy a workout’ but let’s talk once the incline is hiked up to 15%.
- “Ralking“: Running + walking. In terms of increasing my overall speed and distance, this has been my saviour.
- Don’t do it: Just because others enjoy the treadmill doesn’t mean you will to. Opting for the cross-trainer/cycle or swimming will also get your heart rate up.
How do you beat the treadmill blues?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this because as much as I love running outside, I find myself on the treadmill more often then not. I think changing things up and going for intensity versus distance or time is a good one. I’ve found myself doing that more and more. That way I can fit in some strength training afterwards as well! Win – win!
Kill 2 birds with 1 stone (or workout in this case)–> I’m definitely with you on that
This is an amazing post!! Thanks so much for the tips
personally I hate running so I try to swim, bike, or do plyos for my cardio, but I do get the urge to treadmill it up sometimes 
love the “if you still look pretty” pic, so true haha
Haha for real- looking in the mirror after a good workout isn’t the most attractive!
Great post!! This is especially helpful in the upcoming months when winter starts to rear its ugly (cold!) head. I tread it up much more in the cold season
When I lived in London, I could never run outside during the winter..I’m too much of a wimp!
I am not a fan of the treadmill! I run so much faster when I run outside. I only use it in desperate times!
I actually enjoy the treadmill for the most part. I did all of my running for the first 1.5 years on the treadmill, so it’s no big deal, plus where I live in the winter you only have the gym from Nov-April.
I just went back to read your post yesterday on weight loss and loved it. I was always a chubby kid. That chubbiness soon turned into overweight, and ultimately obesity. I was 10 years old whe my doctor officially diagnosed me as obese. I was 131 lbs. That was more than my mother weighed. Over the years i managed to lose weight to a point where i am an ideal weight for where i am now. It was mostly exercise, portion control, and cleaning my diet of refined sugars/carbohydrates. I am now a teenager. One problem i had was my obsession with weighing myself. I would weigh myself after eating or after using the bathroom. But i have to say my greatest weight loss weapon is visiting Kerala, India! I always manage to lose weight there. It’s quite a change from the much more luxurious life here in America. Though i can NEVER refuse kulfi or gulab jamun from my ammachi (grandmother)
Wow well done on the weight loss- that’s great that you were able to take control at such a young age! For what it’s worth, I weighed more than my mom for many years..good thing times have changed
! Thanks for your comment on my blog and good luck with keeping the weight off!
Haha, those pics crack me up!
Thanks for all the great tips! Listening to the podcasts are such a lifesaver-you feel your running with a friend
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