I hate Treadmills

Mr.36 · January 22nd, 2007, 04:38 PM

I am relatively new to running for distance, and I am trying to triple my running distance (2 miles a day to 6 miles a day) over the course of the next 18 weeks. I am only able to get to a track on Wednesdays until the weather clears up here in Michigan, and until then I have to go on the Treadmill. My problem isn't so much physical problems as it is I have nothing to focus on other than how sore my legs are and how boring staring at the far wall is. Any tips on entertaining yourself while running other than having a CD player running?

**g_samsa** · January 22nd, 2007, 05:40 PM

I know this might sound a little stupid, buuuuutt... If you don't have music or a tv to watch, you could always try counting your steps. Before you go calling me names I'll explain myself. Any runner other than 5k and below sorts of runners should try to shoot for 180 steps per minute to become efficient. The short distance guys all have longer strides, but if you are training for any distance over a couple of miles then you should be making about 180 steps per minute. That applies to everything from about 5k to marathon.

You would be very surprised at how quickly time can go when you are trying to get to the "magic" 180. Most non professionals average between 160 and 170 which means you are bouncing too much and putting too much strain on your knees. Almost every single "pro" in the world averages almost exactly 180 per minute.

By the way, it's quite difficult to do if you aren't used to it because it feels really strange doing the shuffle step. I've been running for years and my wife just started a few years ago. Turns out that she is naturally at the magic number without even trying. I have a hard time getting over 175.

Give it a try. You can easily waste half an hour if you're the obsessive compulsive sort.

**tellico** · January 22nd, 2007, 08:54 PM

I like to either listen to a book on mp3 or memorize stuff (write out several things on index cards and keep them in your gym bag, then use them like flash cards on the treadmill). You can get audio books from the library or use ebooks if you have mp3 capability.

The story line keeps my attention better than music. For ideas on memorizing, try inspirational quotes, cool epic poems, or Bible verses. I use verses and I'm working on memorizing the epic that inspired the movie "The Man from Snowy River." Fun stuff to pull out at a campfire

**tellico** · January 23rd, 2007, 08:45 PM

g_samsa, I tried your suggestion tonight- That's really difficult to get just right, and you're right- I didn't even notice the time go by! I averaged 160 steps/minute. Gotta work on that

thanks for the idea- reps ;-)

crayzee · January 24th, 2007, 01:35 AM

Personally, I just focus on what the end result will be. Better fitness, better health and if I'm feeling sore, I just keep telling myself, "One more minute, you can do it". When that minute's past, I promise myself another one. But that's only when I'm really suckin' wind, heh.

OzzyC · April 1st, 2007, 04:33 PM

Treadmills make me feel sick once I get off them, I feel dizzy and like I am floating forward! And I hate being so boxed up when I am running, I cannot stand not being in control of my running. The machine is controling my running and I just can't have it. Does anyone else feel this way?

So, to make things more interesting I run outside and if possible in a park or a forest. I will run outside even if it is cold (not below -10 C though) or hot (+30 C). Also the music helps alot, rock or metal for me.

Royal Flush · June 20th, 2007, 12:33 PM

I run on the treadmill around 4-5 days a week, and I play the athlete game in my mind while listening to my iPod. For each letter of the alphabet, I try to come up with the name of an athlete, and I just do that in cycles for however long I'm running. (ex. A-Alex Rodriguez, B-Barry Bonds, C- Cal Ripken, D-Donovan McNabb, etc, etc, etc)

Jake15 · June 24th, 2007, 01:41 PM

Treadmills arn't very good. Try doing town runs on side walks, or use this site to make a course for yourself...

http://www.usatf.org/routes/map/

Also you gotta take it slow. Going from two to six miles is a tough change.

**mooshue** · June 25th, 2007, 11:03 AM

g_samsa, i also tried the 180 step pace at several speeds and when i was finally able to nail the 180 steps i realized i had been running for 10 minutes! that is an awesome way to take the focus away from the dreadfull running.