Treadmill Running, Part 1: The Good
Years ago, had you asked me if I trained on a treadmill, I would have scoffed and probably told you some line about how the trails are everything to me. Â And well, yes, the trails are still everything to me, but sometimes a run is a run is a run and I would always rather get a run than not. Â Even if that means getting on the treadmill. Â Here are my top reasons that make me want to make a t-shirt ” I Heart the Treadmill when….”
1. I need to do my speedwork and I need to keep it honest. Â The treadmill won’t let you cheat the speed or incline. Â I find a 6mph at 12% -15% incline is about perfect for uphill repeats.
2. Â My daughter is napping, I don’t have a babysitter and this is as good as it gets today. Â Let’s face it, this happens- quite a bit. Â I try to run before or after work or even at lunch, but the best laid plans….
3. Â Two a days. Â Treadmills really are great for the second run- I can watch Netflix, or listen to tunes and get a bonus round of miles in.
4. Late night running. Â After the family goes to bed, many nights I have hopped on the treadmill and gotten my workout in. Â It’s safe, well-lit and I am not missing anything. Â (other than beautiful moon-rises and peaceful night trail running, which is always preferable, but sometimes not doable.)
5. Â Work trips. Â I travel for my corporate job a fair bit. Â If I’m flying to a unknown city, a hotel gym gives me the treadmill.
6. Mindless movie watching long running. Â It’s the dead of winter. Â There’s snow in every direction and unless I get out the snowshoes, I sometimes prefer to get more speedy miles in for a long run. Â A great movie and about 20 miles are known to happen here every now and again.
7. I’d rather not run, but I had better. Â There is something convenient about getting on the treadmill that usually solves the lack of motivation… or sometimes not. Â This can go both ways. Â The fresh air and trails can clear my head where a treadmill usually doesn’t. Â But, if I am suffering motivation, I can get by on the treadmill.
8. You can practically run a business on a treadmill. Â JB will set the dial at 4-4.5 mph and will work on the treadmill for hours- scanning paperwork, making calls, talking to people, editing, etc. Â It’s hilarious and yet super smart. Â I take many conference calls on the machine as well.
9. Â Overall, I can definitely say time on treadmill has made me stronger and a better runner than before I had one. Â More miles, more options, less excuses when I need to get a run in. Â Don’t get me wrong, I’d take a trail run ANY day over a treadmill run, but running on the machine is okay with me. Maybe that’s one result of parenthood.
Ok, Part Deux : The Bad, to come next: Some of the disadvantages I struggle with as a true trail lover.
