It’s gorgeous here, but these glory days of Indian Summer will be in the rear view mirror and things will be, shall we say, more seasonal very soon. Read dig out the fleece socks and crank up the heat. Living in the Midwest, I’m used to harsh winters but the polar vortices we’ve experienced the past couple of winters have definitely been a challenge for us runners. I’m all for a brisk winter run, but face it, a quality pace workout is not in the cards outdoors if it’s icy out. That’s why it’s never too soon to think about how you’ll train through the winter when the great outdoors is not your best option. That’s right I’m talking about the treadmill. I’m sharing my secrets for how to make the mill one of your besties.
Stop calling it nasty names. If you have a nice name for your mill, fine. But none of this “dreadmill” stuff. Let’s be positive here.
Have a plan before you start. Are you doing speedwork? A tempo run? Running aimlessly with no goal for the workout just sets you up to lose interest and stop way too soon.
Pimp your space. My go-tos in the pain cave are a fan, plenty of water and the TV tuned to Cupcake Wars, Barefoot Contessa, Pioneer Woman, not sure what it is about the Food Network but it’s my treadmill jam. Club music or a podcast works if I’m at the gym. Don’t ask. My point is do what make you happy.
Cover the console if you must. When I was a new runner I swear this is what got me through. I couldn’t stand to see how slowly time and my distance crawled. So I threw a towel over the display and focused elsewhere.
RunSocial. The new RunSocial app enables you to run with friends virtually via the convenience of your tablet. If you prefer to go it alone, there are tons of scenic courses you can download and enjoy on your own. Choose from Alpine Trails, Sequoia National Forest, Death Valley, Tropical Gardens in Bali and more.
Some of my favorite RunSocial routes are marathon courses. I’ve been obsessed with the London Marathon. It feels like I’m running across the Tower Bridge in London, complete with spectators cheering, cowbelling, etc. It makes me want to go run London for real more than ever. If you’re competitive, you’ll love that RunSocial has others on the course. So you’re passing people as you run….and maybe people are passing you too.
The other night I participated in a RunSocial virtual group run. We all hopped on our mills with our tablets on the grip pad that holds it nicely in place, at the appointed time and started running. Together we enjoyed a scenic 10k course high in the Swiss Alps. Based on the paces we ran, we could see each other and the display showed how far ahead or behind other runners were. It was unlike anything I’d ever done running-wise and very cool!
How do you train through the winter? Do you love the treadmill? Or loathe it?
I love my treadmill…to a fault, almost. So convenient. I tend to prefer intervals to steady state work since it breaks up the run, although I’m like that with almost any workout. Good tips, though!
That sounds like such a fun app! I don’t have a treadmill right now but I’ve always wanted one. I’m hoping once we move (if it ever happens, ugh), we will be in a building with a gym!
We don’t have a treadmill {because this is the first year we’ve ever lived in a land of snow} but I know we’ll likely need to invest in one! I feel this way sometimes about our exercise bike, though. Great reminder and I’m definitely going to have to check out RunSocial!!
I totally loathe it but if I HAVE to run and the weather is bad, I will suck it up and go to the gym and run. Somehow I end up complaining about it rather than being thankful that I can afford a gym membership for when there is bad weather.
I have a love-hate relationship with my treadmill. It’s old and ancient, but it gets the job done when I need it. I still prefer running outdoors even if it is polar vortexy. But some workouts (speed work and heat training) are best done indoors in the winter!
I downloaded the app:) it is a very cool idea.
I am a fan of covering the display when I do treadmill run, it helps me to not see it!
I am reviewing the run social app too and as much as I really don’t enjoy running on the treadmill I know that it will certainly make it more enjoyable when I do!
I’m getting on that app, TO——————–DAY! Awesome tips here, missy, thanks!
I run on the treadmill all winter long! The RunSocial App looks awesome, definitely checking it out!
That RunSocial app sounds awesome! I need to look into that!
You mean I have to have a nice name for the treadmill? Darn.
I don’t enjoy it but it gets me through the ice and snow.
Actually, it’s not really mine. It’s where I work.
I’m also a RunSocial Ambassador and I love this app! They chose me even though I told them I hate to run on the dreadmill lol. This could convince me to (almost) love it. When I finally get to run that is.
Great tips! I used to hate the treadmill because it can be so mundane and so boring… but as the years go by I’ve gotten more and more wimpy about running outdoors in bad weather. So I’ve gotten much more friendly with the ol’ mill these days! Speed workouts are my favorite since it’s so easy to set the pace and time on a treadmill. And as much as I hate hills, the treadmills can certainly help with incline training!
It’s great that there are so many things out there to make the treadmill more interesting. I quire like the idea of hooking up with friends to run in the Swiss alps. That’s pretty cool.
Well, I live in Florida, so I am a-ok with training through the winter outside. The treadmill hurts my knees and shines so I really try to keep off of it.
I surely dislike the treadmill…but I am positive that we are going to be on better terms when the weather isn’t great this winter! Great ideas!
That is SUCH a cool app!!! I need to try it out. I don’t mind the treadmill for doing some sprints or a short run, but I can’t imagine doing a long training run on it! I don’t think I’ve ever done more than 5k inside. I thank our mild (yet rainy) winters for that 🙂
It is very, very hard for me to run on the treadmill, but this app would make it much more appealing!!! I love the idea of running in London or the Swiss Alps.
Also love the tip of covering the display screen. 4 miles can feel like 15 miles to me – I also only run on the treadmill a couple of times a year, so I probably have to get used to it.
Great post!!
I think you know I love the treadmill. I really need to look into this Run Social app, I think I would really like to try it!!
I absolutely loathe the treadmill and I know I’ve got to work on my attitude towards the thing if we end up with another crazy winter like last year. That RunSocial App sounds like fun and could definitely make the mill run…dare I say it…fun 😉
Of course I prefer to run outside but I’m ok with the treadmill. Without out it there would be way too many non-running days in the winter. I’ve stopped referring to it as the dreadmill 🙂
I always take the iPad with me for long treadmill runs. Watching old TV shows always helps me to stay focused during those long runs on the mill.
Just downloaded the app! So cool.
I love this.. Run Social is such a cool idea! I’m definitely one of those people that complains big time about the treadmill. You’re totally right, a good attitude is the first step 😉
That RunSocial App looks very cool! I would love to virtually run some different marathon courses. I actually love the treadmill. I know, I’m weird right?
What a great list of tips! I will have to check out that app.