Surviving the treadmill (or elliptical)

[Wines Not Whines]

It sounds like a lot of us are stuck using the treadmill, elliptical, or other indoor equipment right now. How do you make it suck less, especially if you're on it for an extended time, like over an hour (I'm assuming this applies to people training for half marathons and marathons)? Any advice?

I may try to watch something on Netflix streaming on my ipad during my attempted long treadmill run tomorrow. I can't do that at the gym, because I can't access the wifi, but maybe it will help me get through my run at home. 

[Deleted]

Intervals.

[Deleted]

I have to watch tv or movies while on the treadmill. Just music is not enough. It can't even be reruns, I need to watch new shoes (I get really bored on the treadmill). I have a tv in front of mine that's hooked up to Netflix for this purpose.

Doing intervals can help. If just doing a flat pace, though, I cover up the display so I can't see the seconds ticking by.

[sadlebred]

I ride the trainer too much every winter. I usually watch things I've saved on the DVR or do a Spinerval (or similar) DVD.

[Susie]

At home on my bike trainer, I have a wall-mounted TV and am binging on Breaking Bad streamed on Netflix. Usually I only do 1 episode (w/o commercials it's 47-48 mins), but sometimes on the weekend I'll do a back to back.

At the gym, our treadmills shut off after 45 mins, and that is do-able for me with music, so I don't have great tips for there.

[runblondie26]

Mixing it up with intervals and good music to zone out to help the time to pass.

[starburst]

I've been watching cheesy Lifetime movies using the Comcast app on my phone while on the treadmill. They're so bad, but I can't stop watching! I just finished Flowers in the Attic yesterday. Intervals help, too. I'll change both the speed and the incline.

[shorewife]

Ugh I don't know! I'm interested hearing the responses because I'm dreading 9 tomorrow on the treadmill at the gym. They do have TV's everywhere but nothing seems to hold my attention. I'm thinking of downloading a movie to my iPad and watching that though - good idea!

[pag41989]

TV and covering the times/miles information with a shirt or towel helps me from being less anxious about how much I have left. Also a fan to give some air circulation seems to help.

[cinco]

New music. I watch TV sometimes, but I do better with music. The exception is the Olympics! It is awesome to watch during treadmill runs. It only helps every two years for a couple weeks, but I am excited for February.

I love playing games with intervals. I make something up almost every time. Today I did a progression run with increasing the speed every 7 minutes. It helps me keep my math skillz in check Last week, I had a pretty fun one. 3 miles at a little slower than marathon pace, then 2 miles at marathon pace, then 1 mile faster then marathon pace, then .5 miles at half pace, and then 2 X .25 at I'm about to fly off the treadmill pace.

[gt7301b]

Speed work and I just realize that it is going to take me 2x longer than usual when I am running on the treadmill. I need water, bathroom break, gotta check the internet, maybe take a selfie on the treadmill, water again, talk to Mr. GT, repeat.

And doglove, your guy is so cute!!!

[Raggedeannie]

Jan 24, 2014 11:08:48 GMT -5 cinco said:

New music. I watch TV sometimes, but I do better with music. The exception is the Olympics! It is awesome to watch during treadmill runs. It only helps every two years for a couple weeks, but I am excited for February.

Hah!  I watched the speed skating olympic trials during my treadmill run this week!  Not sure I could take an hour of that, though.
But to echo others, TV and intervals helps the time pass.  I don't think I've ever done an hour+ run on the treadmill, but I have some coming up.  I have a trip to China next month where running outside is not. an. option. thanks to air pollution.

[bostonmichelle]

I think I'm going to have to set up a tv/laptop to watch tv. I need to do 3 miles and the most I can usually stand to do is 2 miles. I used to go to the gym and that was with tvs and I could do 40 mins no problem so maybe tv will help distract me.

[lb2006]

I always do intervals to music - i.e. faster pace for hip-hop songs, back down for country, etc (i have a very eclectic itunes collection/pandora channels )

Or I watch cooking shows!!!

[bluedaisyus]

Yup, Netflix. I just try to pick something that's about the length of time that I want to run.

[cinco]

Jan 24, 2014 12:00:28 GMT -5 lb2006 said:

I always do intervals to music - i.e. faster pace for hip-hop songs, back down for country, etc (i have a very eclectic itunes collection/pandora channels )

Or I watch cooking shows!!!

I do cooking shows at the gym sometimes. Food porn while running is surprisingly effective. Maybe that is why I get the runger, lol.

[jchokie79]

One word - Scandal!!! Seriously, this is what's getting me through my Half training in my basement on my treadmill.

[thom]

I've been having a tough time lately, as I'm sure I've run at least 50 miles on the treadmill this month. Intervals & tempo pace help, but when I'm supposed to be doing easy/recovery it's the worst. Lately I've been listening to a lot of books (through the audio books app) or podcasts. Music is good too, but it gets old. In spite of liking the book I'm currently listening to, I was dreading getting on the TM this morning. I think I was up for 1/2 hour before I finally got going. Of course I felt great afterward.

I really think I'm heading outside tomorrow for my long run, no matter what the weather. I hope!

[thom]

Jan 24, 2014 12:14:37 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

One word - Scandal!!! Seriously, this is what's getting me through my Half training in my basement on my treadmill.

Is that a TV show or podcast or movie?? I'm really out of the loop on current entertainment stuff.

[water*drop]

Intervals, TV, and honestly, I spend a lot of the time just going slow. I used to try to go faster because it meant that I'd be done sooner, but I've realized that I can zone out better if I'm going slower. I hate that I do that, but if it gets me through the miles, I guess I'll take it.

[breezy8407]

Jan 24, 2014 12:14:37 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

One word - Scandal!!! Seriously, this is what's getting me through my Half training in my basement on my treadmill.

I've been watching this on the TM too! 

But..I am mid way through the second season on Netflix and am concerned about running out of shows in the next week or so. 

I'm thinking of starting Revenge next.

[cinco]

There was a woman at the gym running on the treadmill backwards today. Not sure if anyone wants to try that and report back. She also had on 2 sweatshirts and sweatpants, while I was sweating buckets in a tank and shorts. The gym is an interesting place.

[sassystace]

I set my computer up on a big stack of storage bins and watch shows via the internet. I'm watching the whole Amazing race from last season now. Biggest loser and Survivor are my other favs. I like shows with some action and not too much content that you need to pay close attention to. I also do intervals. I did 8 miles this way last weekend and will probably do it again this weekend with the forecast as it is.

[skwcm80]

I just zone out, but I'm an odd duck who doesn't mind doing long runs on the treadmill.

[agswife]

Intervals. Switching the incline. Trashy tv.

[spunkypenguin]

The only way to make the treadmill tolerable is intervals...I have only been able to last to 4 miles though. I like to read kindle books while on the arc trainer/elliptical (can't keep the focus while running/bouncing up & down). I used to watch TV shows from the DVR while on the elliptical, but now there is no DVR where the elliptical is and I've been slacking on hooking up the Wii for streaming Netflix...

[lb2006]

Jan 24, 2014 12:32:42 GMT -5 breezy8407 said:

Jan 24, 2014 12:14:37 GMT -5 jchokie79 said:

One word - Scandal!!! Seriously, this is what's getting me through my Half training in my basement on my treadmill.

I've been watching this on the TM too! 

But..I am mid way through the second season on Netflix and am concerned about running out of shows in the next week or so. 

I'm thinking of starting Revenge next.

we've been streaming shows on prime during the nights after working on our house and have recently gotten into Justified - very interesting - you should check it out/keep it on your list of potential shows.  It's easy to keep watching episode after episode.  Perfect for treadmills!

[jchokie79]

thom, it's a TV show. I believe it's currently on Season 3 but the first two seasons are on Netflix. It's really good!

breezy8407, I'm only a few episodes in season 2 so I'm hoping it'll last me a while longer! Isn't it so good!? Revenge is good as well. I also have Orange is the New Black lined up.

[candreco]

I play around with the incline setting and speed, it breaks up the time into smaller chunks, browse Pinterest/FB/GBCN on my tablet since I can do that one handed/no typing, if I'm going to be there a while I watch Netflix. I can easily see the family room TV, but it's impossible to hear over the treadmill noise without turning the volume way up (and I work out after kids are in bed and don't want to make a ton of noise), so that only works if it's sports or reruns where I don't really need to hear.

[libbygrl109]

I use the treadmill at either my gym or my parents' house, so it's usually the TV with music. I can't stand commercials, but having the TV allows me to be visually distracted. I'll also throw in intervals to mix things up and have the miles go faster. If we ever get one at home, I'd probably use my laptop to stream Netflix or play DVDs. May try this next time at my parents', too.