Why I hate/love/hate the treadmill.

I’m very fortunate to have a treadmill at home. I’m lucky that in the ten plus years that I’ve had it, I’ve only had to recently replace a few blown fuses. Other than that, it’s been there when I’ve needed it. I prefer to run outside for many reasons, so I’m not on my treadmill every day, or even every week, but I am one of those few people who don’t used their treadmill as a clothing rack.

The treadmills in most fitness centers face a window, which I do think is helpful. I haven’t been able to orient my home treadmill that way.

In Chicago there were stretches of winter where I would be on the treadmill almost every day. I was also fortunate enough to work at a few fitness clubs in Chicago with indoor tracks, so I often did my workouts there instead if I could fit them in around classes. Even the indoor track, dodging other people, was preferable to me more often, than being stuck on the treadmill.

Since my relocation to Nashville, I’ve only been forced on the treadmill a few days so far, generally due to rain and once because my schedule dictated I get my run done at 5am when it was still pitch black, so I opted to stay inside. Then this past week, the temperature dropped very quickly. I opted for treadmill runs the past three days as I don’t do well in the cold. I do have the gear, and to be completely honest, if it were going to stay this cold, I probably would have started bundling up again. But the temperature will steadily increase from today on and we’ll be in the high 50s by the end of the week.

So, I am grateful for my treadmill and I’m glad that it’s there for me, but why is it that I will avoid it for any other kind of running if at all possible? It’s definitely faster. I jump on in shorts and a t-shirt, jump right off and into the shower. I don’t have to layer jackets, gloves and hats or lock doors behind me and put keys in little, tiny pouches, created so that they’re invisible to the naked eye so that they don’t run the nice, sleek line of female running pants. (This is difficult to do with gloves on, by the way, and nearly impossible while wearing mittens.) So why go through the hassle?

From a physical standpoint, it’s fairly straightforward. If you’re going to train for a race that’s going to be run outside, you should try and run in the same conditions. I live in a hilly place, those hills are going to be there on race day, so I should get accustomed to them. It’s also helpful to know which gear you’re most comfortable in during certain temperatures and wind conditions.

I used to take pictures of my treadmill runs so I could put them into my workout calendar later. I have not started that habit again.

The biggest problem with the treadmill for me, is completely mental. Today I had a speed workout. Great! Sprints will most likely be more accurate on the treadmill and I can probably keep myself to the time I want much more easily! Right? Sort of. I hate sprints. More than anything. I know that there are very few people out there who love them and I also know that they’re good for you.

When I run, my mind works through things in different ways. I come up with great ideas when I’m running. I also work through things that are bothering me and sometimes figure out how I’m going to deal with them. I always feel clearer and more motivated when I’m done with a nice long run. This isn’t how my mind works during sprints. For one, I need to be pushing myself, so I cannot let my mind wander, I have to stay focused on the task at hand, and the task at hand is uncomfortable and difficult. It’s meant to be. Speedwork is meant to push your anaerobic threshold so that it gradually increases and you can stay at faster speeds for a longer period of time. Change is never comfortable.

When I’m on the treadmill, doing a stead state run, my mind will wander, but it’s different than the way it wanders outside. For some reason, it’s more critical. It’s also more focused on how fast I’m going and how much time I have left. If I were able to face my treadmill toward a window, that might help, but so far it hasn’t worked out that way. Sometimes I’m able to listen to a podcast and the time will go by, but often motivational music is the key to a good treadmill run for me.

I procrastinated my 800 meter sprints today in various ways. I checked Facebook, I filed my nails, I made the bed, I plucked my eyebrows, etc. It doesn’t help that they’ve been falling on Tuesdays, which are my late days, so I don’t even have the pressure of getting ready for work on time to push me. I did finally make myself get the run in. A quarter mile slow, half a mile at a 5k pace. Seven times. It’s a hard workout and after the second sprint, my brain started attacking me.

This shouldn’t be so hard, you haven’t even been biking to work this week.

You ate PLENTY of food last night, why is this so difficult?

You used to do treadmill sprints twice a week the winter before you got married. Are you just not motivated enough?

You were five years younger then. Maybe you’re just getting old and it’s going to be harder.

You should find time to do more yoga. You really have been slacking since you moved and it’s probably taking a toll.

You used to have a banana in the morning before teaching on those days before your wedding. Maybe you need to eat breakfast first? There was that whole article on how running fasted may not be effective for women.

You ate plenty last night! You’re psyching yourself out! How are you ever going to lose those five pounds if you can’t even get through a short workout?

Arg! Don’t stop! This is all mental. Get it together. Find a good song.

Maybe I need a different training plan. Maybe I should get one designed by a female runner. Why is there so little research on female athletes! I mean, I know why, but it’s bullshit!

This is supposed to be hard! Don’t stop! Find something positive to think about!

Generally how I feel after outdoor runs! (Yes, I did run the stairs with the Rocky song playing before this was taken.)

And on and on until I’m done. In some ways, maybe my brain has a point. I did read an article on how fasted running has shown to be effective for male athletes, but not for female ones. I do generally wait and eat breakfast after I run. These seems fine for me when I’m doing longer runs, but generally not when I’m doing speedwork. It may be something that I need to change, but it will take some mental planning. It could also have just been a bad run.

I find that most runners prefer outside runs, although I have met a few people who really like running on a treadmill. I don’t understand it. I’ve done it out of necessity and made it work, but I never enjoy those runs as much as my outdoor ones. And yes, although I do believe that you do have to experience some discomfort to reach positive change, and yes, I do have five pounds I want to get rid of and that will take effort, for the most part, I would like to continue to enjoy my runs.

I’ll continue to work on improving my internal dialogue when I am on the treadmill. I’m also really looking forward to getting outside tomorrow.