Thursday, November 4, 2010

Treadmill....or should I say Dreadmill

Does anyone really enjoy running on a treadmill? NOT me! At the beginning of the year I trained for my first half marry mostly on the treadmill and it didn't bother me to be on it for miles and miles. However after getting an awesome running buddy (or few) and running outside all spring/summer it bothers me now! Or maybe last night was just an off night, but I don't really think I can ever enjoy the stinking DREADMILL. I have already done a couple of 4mi runs that wasn't so bad, last night by .80mi I was already looking at the distance thinking "is that all?" I started talking to a couple of people around me that I knew hoping to pass along the time but that didn't help either. Around 1.5mi I put my Yurbuds in and hoped I could hang in to finish 4mi, my last "mill" run I tried using my Yurbuds but couldn't get them to stay in from sweating so much this time success even sweaty :) Mile 2.45 I started daydreaming thinking I was outside running, oh look I am in town running looking at the shop windows as I pass by and I can hear Sheri's garmin beeping away, hang in there your almost back to the park where you started from, 3.5 mi OMG are you still not done yet, look there is your car just kick it in and GO! Finally it's over!
4miles complete in 43:43 Seriously???
Granted I was taking it easy as I really didn't feel the greatest, my eye had some kind of problem going on along with my head all stopped up and just feeling tired in general. However I just can't seem to break 4mi in under 40 mins on that stupid dang DREADMILL, WHY??? So that is now one of my goals for the next month, get 4miles done in under 40 mins on the treadmill, I know I can do it. I have also decided I will NOT doing any longer than 4mi on the crazy thing, any run longer than that will be done outside no matter the temp (except rain if I don't have to I am not running in the rain!).

So my bloggy friends let's hear it, I know you have one, What's your opinion on the treadmill/dreadmill? Love it or Hate it? How do you manage it?

17 comments:

Emz said...

NO. NO. NO! No treadmill hate. ;)

I run 48 of my 50 MPW on my lovely treadmill. ;) I love him "ed" I know sad, he has a name.

I think it has made me a MUCH straoonger runner than in the past. Took 47 minutes off my marathon PR after I began training on it!

I only have love for my treadmill. :)

Q said...

HATE the treadmill. I began my running journey on the treadmill, then switched to outside, and can't go back. Not ever.

Genesis said...

my treadmill disgusts me. it is proven that treadmills are highly innacurate in speed and distance. i never trust it. i just go by the amount of time im putting in and the effort, because i know darn well what it feels like to be going 6mph and 5mph. there is a major difference.

Runners Fuel said...

In a way, it's good...it helps me keep pace and I don't slow down (becuase I'll fall off). In a way it's bad, because it's so BORING! Last night,I had 4 magical miles on it and tonight I hope it goes the same. I have good and bad days, as well. I prefer to run outside (if it's not too dark).

KovasP said...

I would always rather run outside, but I definitely appreciate that the treadmill gives me an option.

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

I totally dread a treadmill and usually get through it by running variable intervals. Good job to you for completing you run!!!!

Darlene said...

Hate it! I don't have one so I go to the gym - it's always hot & stuffy. I try to make it bearable by watching "The Good Wife" or "Law & orde" on my iPod Touch. I feel like I'm running fast but it takes me forever to run the same distance as outdoors. If I run faster, I feel like I will fall off. I will run outside unless it rains - like today :(
That's my rant.

Pretend this is real said...

AWFUL! Just this week I struggled to get through a 5 mile run on a treadmill and the next day I ran longer (& faster!) without meaning to because I was outside. It's so much more mentally taxing to not hit STOP when you're staring at the numbers crawling slowly along.

Jason said...

I can't agree with EMZ on this one, unless she said that running on the treadmill gets me the abs but short of that I am on the treadmill for 1 mile at the most as a warm-up to my strength sets. Other then that I am running outside regardless of weather.

Amber said...

I don't like the treadmill when I run run. If im just jogging or walking its okay. I feel like you don't get the real feel, and not as good of a workout. Its good for people who are really concerning with calorie counting.

Anonymous said...

Love it and hate it. Sometimes it can be dreadfully boring, but for me, it is a necessity... and I do often spend 2 straight hours on the dreadmill doin' my thing... (2 hours is the gym time limit for childcare)

Crystal said...

the treadmill doesnt bother me. i pop in a dvd of friends and am goood to go. i can only use it for time though, speed and distance aren't accurate. I do work on speed though with turning it up but i know what it shows is not the correct speed that i am actually running. 5.0 (12 min/mile) on our treadmill is like me sprinting outside trying to keep up with jeremy.

Jamie said...

Not a fan of the mill! I can only tolerate it if I have something to watch on TV/my phone TV app.

Twila said...

LOVE my treadmill! I get to be with Parker while I run and it helps so much with my speed. I play games with it : ) Plus I have TV downstairs.

Hope you find your love for the treadmill. The most I can do is 5 to 6 miles.

mommaof3ontherun said...

I hate that darn thing....but it is sometimes necessary. I have been unable to overcome the extreme boredom and watching the clock tick.

Deanna said...

I actually like the comfort of running on my treadmill. I am a complete fair-weather runner so if it's too windy or cold, I look forward to my treadmill. I seem to push myself farther on the treadmill since I know I don't have to run "back" to where I started.

I also like it for tempo runs and intervals since I can set the pace and I "have" to make myself run that fast (because I won't lower the pace).

I also have kids so sometimes if I want to run I have to use the treadmill. So, I tape lots of shows or rent a good movie and just run.

Unknown said...

I do not like the treadmill. However, on a cold winter day, when it is 20 below, I would be quite happy (miserably happy, though) to jump on one.