Beating treadmill boredom

[wannanewme]

What do treadmill runners do to alleviate the monotony? It was OK for the short runs, but running for longer times I just run out of things to think about and end up focusing on my leaden legs or laboured breathing. I'd appreciate some ideas.

[eveshamgal Graduate]

At our gym in town the treadmills look out into the pool are so you can watch people prat about while you slog your guts out lol

[lizfish]

If you're at the point where you're on long runs (with no walking) can you listen to other podcasts? Funny ones perhaps, or even an audio book? Perhaps listen to Laura the first time and then something else the other two times? As you're on a treadmill, as long as you find the right speed for you, then the treadmill sets your pace for you.

I can't listen to speech when I'm running as I run outside and my speed would drop without some kind of beat. I found the treadmill absurdly boring. Plus I nearly fell off once, and my legs and head were so wobbly, I nearly fell down the stairs afterwards. No thanks...

Good luck!

[Malcy Graduate]

I mounted a telly on the wall in front of my 'mill. I record stuff on a box then play whatever I feel like at the time. I also run outside and am dabbling with making video recordings of the runs and replaying them to try to fool my feeble brain ... it kind of works a little bit.

You do get iFit systems that let you map out a run on Google Maps and replay the route through Streetview - so you get the impression of running through Death Valley or whatever. They can also connect to the elevation control on the treadmill so, when you should be running up a hill the deck rises and you run up a hill. Sounds very cool, but they're quite expensive. If your gym has one, you should try it ...

[wannanewme Graduate]

Thanks for the ideas. I may have to invest in a running TV - I don't think I can install a swimming pool, much as I'd like to!

[Jennyh543]

I listen to talking books, that occupies my mind

[Beads Graduate]

Audiobooks, downloaded from the local library's online site. But that's for long runs at a constant speed, I prefer to do those outside.

Generally on the treadmill I go for an interval approach. 5 minutes gentle run to warm up, then intervals of fast and slow, then a 5 minute gentle cool down run. I got a free interval training app on the iPad, so take that with me to the shed. I have several different programmes saved on it and pick one depending on how I feel. When you've got a minute of running fast (top speed on my treadmill) followed by 30 seconds gentle recovery run and you've got to listen out for the beep, bell or buzzer, you know that there's only a short time of running each time so (I) don't get as bored as quickly. (And if you're doing 18 repetitions of 45 seconds fast, 30 seconds 'slow' you'll only have sufficient brain power (as your brain needs to reserve some effort to make you breathe) to wonder which repetition you're on now!)

[wannanewme Graduate]

Thanks for the ideas. Hopefully one or more will work for me. I'm just not brave enough to run outside yet, which I know would help significantly.