Running on the Treadmill

Today’s Workout: 

Ran on TM:

.5% incline   6.00 miles recovery pace

• 25x straight leg sit up
• 25x (two count) bicycicles
• 25x sit up
• 25x (two count) Russian twist
• 25x crunches w/ feet in the air, knees at 90 degrees
• 25x leg raises
• 25x V sit
• 25x toe touch
• then
• 45 sec plank
• 45 sec flutter kick
• 30 sec plank
• 30 sec flutter kick
• 15 second plank
• 15 second flutter kick

This race shirt is actually one of my favorite running shirts for the winter ( except for today) I wore it on the treadmill and I was sweating like crazy- it was such an uncomfortable run…. HORRIBLE decision on my part. ** Tip- dress appropriately when running on the treadmill because it gets HOT!

Today’s run was at recovery pace to get all of the soreness out from yesterday’s track workout. As always my legs were stiff in the beginning but began to loosen up. At mile 3 I was ready to be done but kept pushing myself to work on on this easy paced run. I finished the workout with the lovely AB workout compliments of my fiancé.

RUNNING ON THE TREADMILL is hard work for me. After 5 miles I get extremely bored and my mental strength easily breaks down. In order for me to have a successful treadmill run I have to start preparing before hand.

Here are a few things that help me get through the treadmill runs:

1.) Use it as a mental strength workout. I struggle mentally on the TM because it is so easy to quit when your running in place. Using it to build mental strength works great for me because I know that I lack in this area so it pushes me to want to excel.

2.) Play with the pace. The treadmill is great for my progression runs and interval runs because I can easily increase and decrease the pace.  Playing with the pace also makes the time go by a lot faster for me than if I were to just stay at one steady pace.

3.) Bring music, podcasts, a book,etc. Something that will distract you from the monotony of running in place. I try to listen to podcasts when I run on the TM and if that doesn’t work for me I move straight into the up beat music!

4.) Work on form. The TM is a great place for me to really concentrate on every step. Working on keeping proper form the entire run is mentally tough and takes concentration. I pay close attention to this on the TM because I know that I start getting a little bit sloppy as mileage increases.

5.) Random- I like to challenge myself on some of my runs with the music I choose. I have certain playlists where when a song comes on I run at a faster pace the entire song then bring it back down, then another key song comes on and I do it again. It’s little stuff like that that can make your workouts more fun! Find what works for you!

I am still learning how to get through my treadmill runs and I have talked to a lot of runners to get advice and encouragement for this particular topic. For some people it is super easy, but for me it is extremely mentally tough! If you get stuck having to run inside then go out there and embrace the treadmill! You are only getting better mentally and physically!

Check out this pace conversion chart from HillRunner

Also- I got a little crafty a few weeks ago because I am becoming a wife and all that- so of course I need to know how to craft… right? It didn’t turn out as good as I thought it would but hopefully my creativeness will just get better with time!

What gets you through a treadmill run? 

Do you have any crafty ideas for my new house!?