I HATE THE TREADMILL!

I hear ya.....

However, I can pass on a few things that might help.

Netflix:
for the sci-fi minded: Dark, Travellers, Black Mirror
Although, I have to admit, I switched off Dark halfway into the first episode so I could binge the rest with my wife. I knew she'd like it. It's like Stranger Things had sex with The Returned (the original, not the US version), and gave birth to a baby Lost.

for the documentary minded: Voyeur

for the mockumentary minded: American Vandal

Podcasting. Gosh yes. I just got into it this summer during car trips, and have taken it up for treadmill time:
Stitcher, while not an intuitive app, it seems to have everything.
-Heaven's Gate
-Cults
-Sword and Stone
I tried My Favorite Murder, but it's not even close to factual. Sword and Stone does a much better job of using extent audio.
Yes, I am fascinated by cults. And yes, I watch a lot of ID channel.

With this cold snap, I've consumed all of this Netflix stuff as well has hours and hours of those podcasts on the treadmill and indoor riding.

The gym I go to has treadmills with a built-in touch screen and access to some kind of Google based map and Street View service. I've run the 5 miles of the Monterey Bay Coastal a million times, and a 3 mile mostly uphill stretch of the coast in South Africa at least a zillion times. Those are the only 2 freebies. Although, they've added a daily workout. I've run through downtown Belgrade. A couple beach and coastal runs scattered around Italy, South America, and the like. Just the other day, I got to do a 3 mile loop around the Pyramids at Giza, ending at the Sphinx. But, no pictures of actual Sphinx. Didn't get close enough.

I'll do anything to not stare at numbers on the screen, and Gold's TV channel selection is TERRIBLE.

I like running in the "cold". But not cheek burning, eyeball fluid freezing cold like this. I haven't been warm once since this business started. I'd get in the hot tub at the gym, but the last thing my dry skin needs is to soak in hot water.

What's stopping you from running outside? I live in Northern Ontario and run outside all winter. I doubt that your conditions are worse than mine.

I ran a New Year's Day 5K and it made me realize the cold (even 2 degrees) isn't as bad as I thought. I still warmed right up after 10 minutes and had to take off my ski mask.

Maybe you could run outside once a week, if it's safe? Even when it's awful?

Also, I started using Zwift on the bike, which makes the bike trainer like a video game. It's WAY more fun for me, and so now I'm interested in Zwift running, which is the same thing only you are on the treadmill but you can see yourself running with all the other people. It requires a footpod, but I just bought one on Amazon for $30 because I, too, am starting to hate the treadmill.

There really isn't a good path that I can take safely. The sidewalks are all iced over. I could run in the streets but still some ice patches and I need to run in the early morning (dark) based on my work schedule. The sub zero is also worse than treadmill running to me. However, I will definitely get outside if it was even in the upper teens. I like running in the snow, if I can get some fresh powder and not compacted ice. The ice worries me.

About 7 years ago I did something silly and signed up for an April marathon. That meant I had to run in winter. I had a long run scheduled (2 hours) and it was all icy and such on the trail so I had to run on the treadmill....for 2 hours! It was interesting to a few of the other gym users as I showed up with some extra hydration and nutrition for a treadmill run. I also didn't realize the treadmill timed out after an hour so I had to stop and reset.

Anyhow that was the last long run I ever did on a treadmill. I polled the BT'ers here on what do do about running on ice and the BT'ers came through. They're called YakTrax. Put those bad boys on your running shoes and BAM, full gait on ice and packed snow. My next long run was 18 miles on ice and packed snow. It was great.

https://yaktrax.implus.com/product/yaktrax-run-ice-shoes

I have the YakTrax Pro but a few years ago they came out with YakTrax Run which I have not tried yet.

Good quality stuff mine are still working after 7 years. I've put a few hundred miles on asphalt as well as many runs have mixed terrain.

Keeping a pace of 8:00 - 8:30 per mile on ice and packed snow has not been a problem.

I hate the dreadmill as well!!! Trying to run outside when I can but it’s been a pretty brutal winter so far so doing speedwork inside. 7 degrees outside which doesn’t include the wind chill. I feel your pain. Warming up to 25s degrees on Sunday so can’t wait, that will feel like a heat wave.

Some people take an old pair of running shoes and put screws through them to give them grip on ice. I have a headlight lamp and a mesh flourescent construction vest that I take out when it's dark. I've ran down to - 30 and it's really not that bad if you know how to dress for it.

Do some tempo or fast intervals on the treadmill. The shorter intervals keep you engaged and having to set a pace keeps you honest about your speed.

long slow treadmill runs are not that much fun - but Netflix really helps.

Do what I did, move to Florida.

Actually the tempo run was the harder run for me. I don't know if it had something to do with 3x15' at tempo and not being able to vary my stride or pace at all over that time frame. I've always done short interval work on the treadmill but the longer tempo sets were pretty hard on me. My coach is going to switch to some hill intervals instead. I think that will help and the weather is getting back to normal next week with 20s and 30s and not -10 windchills. I'm definitely going to get some yaktrax too. Thank you BT. I have a lot of run work to do and these suggestions will help! Unfortunately tomorrow is a 2 hr treadmill run. Can't wait to set up with 2 water bottles and a few gels and see what people think. LOL

Oh, and like 14 sweat towels.

I empathize with you. I hate the TM and the bike trainer. Indoor training of any type sucks (even swimming).

However, there is a real utility to being able to do shorter, faster stuff indoors-especially with inclement weather. That said, I have a lot of knuckelhead friends who do 2 and 3 hr TM runs. I have never and will never torture myself like that. Slow and steady outside, even if the pace is slower, is still getting the job done.

I wish you well with your TM challenge.

The 2 hr treadmill was definitely not super fun but my coach put together a TM hill workout for today and that was fun. I had to push myself a bit harder but I also had to follow the workout guidelines and adjust the speed and elevation according to the intervals. I really liked it. Thank you Coach Scott. #BSC

I use these (and love them) in the winter here in Norway:

https://www.salomon.com/no/product/speedspike-cs.html?article=394475

They have 15 very well-placed carbide spikes. I've done a 10K run a what could only be described as a "hockey rink", and did not slip once. We had -3c and freezing rain the entire day before. Where I live was quite literally covered in over 1 inch of ice...

And I'm with you...dislike the dreadmill very much. Intervals is about all I can handle on it...

Good luck!!


Edited by flyor64 2018-01-09 7:49 AM

I travel a lot...and I too have come to embrace the suck.

Last week I put 10 and then 13.1 on treadmill. Back out into the -7* on Sunday morning and then 8 today on the treadmill again.

My go to is the Ted Radio Hour and/or a book. Usually listen to music for the last 3.

I'm attempting a 30days/30runs/30mins regimen and the only way that's happening is because the home TM is just so convenient. No one can find an excuse to blow off a run workout like I can...