Treadmills have a bad rep, it’s true. The “dreadmill”, “the mill”, “millie” or the happymill not to be confused with the “happy meal”. I’ve named mine “The BEAST” only because when I got it, it looks so big. I love my treadmill.
*crickets*….
Are you still reading? Don’t love the treadmill? Well, check out why I do! This is the fourth article in the “Running What I Love About…” If you’ve missed the others, you can catch up here:
What I Love About My Treadmill
I got my treadmill in January of 2014, on sale for $400! OH YEAH! There’s is a story behind how it got to our house all the way from PEI (we living in NS) but I’m going to leave that one out. I will however acknowledge my husband, father and cousin had a hand it getting it to our house 😉 Thanks guys!
The BEAST!
Life Changer
Honestly, having a treadmill was a life changer. At the time we got our treadmill, my husband was away for a few weeks at a time. If I wanted to run, I would have to do so at lunch time which didn’t always work with my schedule or find a babysitter in the evenings. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve paid for a babysitter so I could run but I can do that multiple times in a week.
As each month would pass, I write my runs down in my little old log book and track the distances. I’d train for races from 5k’s to my 2nd half marathon. I had consistent PB’s in 5k’s, 10k’s and my half marathon and I feel confident it was because I was able to run on my treadmill consistently. I was able to run at home after our girls went to bed. I could run every day if I wanted to, especially in the winter on those stormy days/nights. I ran over 1100 km’s that year – mainly because I had access to a treadmill.
As a mother runner and part time single parent – the treadmill was my me time and my sanity saver.
Slower Running
For me, I run slower on the treadmill and I’m okay with that. Why? Well, it’s just the pace I’m comfortable to run at while on the treadmill. Did it bother me – nope. When I run on the treadmill I rarely pay attention to my time/pace unless I’m in the gym and the treadmill is in miles not kilometres. Each time I’d run in a race or training run, I would do so faster then on the treadmill and felt like I could push it more outside.
Don’t get me wrong, I speed up the treadmill often and slow it down as well to change things up. I always try to end my treadmill runs by running faster during the last 1/2 km.
Me and “The Beast”
Workouts
There are so many treadmill workouts available, especially on Pinterest however, they are all in miles. I rarely do these because I don’t want to sit down and do the conversion. Ninety-nine percent of the time I run on manual and always have my treadmill at a 1% incline.
Resource
I run in kilometres but a lot of training plans or workouts have it in miles. I found this treadmill conversion a while back which changed everything! For me, I usually run at 9 – 10 km/hour which is 5.6 to 6.2 miles/hour; and in pace it’s 6:39 to 6:01 minute/kilometre. It also shows what my pace would be for 5k’s, 10k’s, half and full if I stayed at that pace.
Right now, I’m running that pace outside as well and a big reason is that my hamstring isn’t ready for me to do any speed work so I’m just keeping my pace to keep my base 😉
Access
I feel lucky to have access to a treadmill and that’s one of the main reasons why I never call it a “dreadmill”. I don’t hate running, I don’t hate running on a treadmill, I feel lucky to have access to one. I feel lucky to be able to run more days in the week than if I didn’t have one.
When the treadmill is your only way of getting the run in, you are lucky to get it in!
Temporarily Break Ups
In the summer there is no doubt about it, I’d much rather run outside then on my treadmill. Fresh air, sun on my face and things to look at, but if it’s beyond hot outside I can easily jump on my treadmill and get in the km’s.
There are times when I get in fights with it; mainly it breaks down because I haven’t readjusted it properly after lubing it up. After a few days of separation and time outs for me, I can get it fixed.
Watching Shows!
This is by far my favourite part of running. I get to watch shows on my tablet since we don’t have TV. Sometimes I watch a whole movie while running. For me, watching something is critical or else I get too focused on my time, pace, etc. I’d rather get lost in a show or movie then see my time and pace. Often I’ll wait until a certain point (half way through show) before I look at my distance. Sometimes I surprise myself in thinking I’ve only run a short distance when in reality I’m close to being done!
Again, I feel lucky to have access to a treadmill and that I can run when ever I want and my schedule permits. Sometimes, the girls have other plans for me in the evenings but as a mother runner, you just have to roll with it sometimes.
In the end, you don’t have to love the treadmill but at least use it for walking or running not a clothing rack.
Happy last day of November – can you believe tomorrow is Dec 1st ???
Do you love – hate the treadmill?
Has the treadmill provided you the opportunity to run when you normally couldn’t?
What’s weirdest thing you’ve seen someone do on the treadmill?
Piper's Run 
I’m totally with you here. I generally prefer running outside but during the winter the treadmill is my go to. And I start to almost like it. I also do different workouts on it to mix things up (pyramid runs and intervals). While I was pregnant I switched to the mill at the end because I felt like too many drivers weren’t paying attention and I didn’t want to risk it anymore. When we get a new house there will be a treadmill in it for sure!
I love running outside more then I do inside but so thankful to have access to a treadmill. I need to do more workouts (pyramids and intervals on the TM). Oh yeah, you need to be safe while running but even more so when pregnant and running 😉
I don’t particularly like running on mine, but it sure is a useful tool. I find mixing treadmill runs with hitting the asphalt reduces repetitive strain injuries for me. And it DEFINITELY allows for more opportunity – when it’s dark by the time you end up home from work (or wrangling the kids!) you can just jump on and do a few miles. As far as weird things, someone once told me they liked to run nude on the treadmill (I didn’t actually see this, thankfully).
The treadmill sure is a useful tool! I think using the treadmill has helped me avoid more injuries and let me recover from a hamstring injury this past year. Nude running on the treadmill… well, that’s kinda crazy! However, my running outfits are a little more crazy then they would be if I ran outside….mismatched clothing etc.
I actually like treadmill running, up to a point (I can’t really go longer than an hour on the thing). They are so necessary in climates that get cold and icy. But now I don’t know what to do as I’ve had some really terrible injuries on them.
Girl – stay off the treadmill until you are good to go! We don’t need anymore injuries in our lives! How is the back doing?
I don’t mind treadmill runs. I do not like them as much as I do like running outside (ran 10k today) but I like them just fine. I am finding it kind of hard to adjust to all my workouts+running at the minute so for the last couple of weeks I have been just pushing it 🙂
I’d much rather run outside too but it’s really nice to have the option of running on the treadmill vs not running at all 🙂 Hope your running get’s better for you.
I love the treadmill too. I’m a wimp when it comes to outdoor running in the cold, so I usually just hit the treadmill instead, although I’m trying to change that up this year.
Your not a wimp, you are smart! If it means you’ll get your run in, then go for it!
Oh I am so with you on this one! I had a treadmill when I lived in Philly and I loved that I was able to run at any time of the day and no matter the weather. I trained for my first half marathon almost exclusively on the treadmill, and I’ve been known to do some double digit runs on them when the weather is too extreme. So glad to find a fellow treadmill fan!
YES!!!!!!! Love finding people that don’t dread running on a treadmill! 🙂
I would love to have a treadmill at home, but money and space to put one have put a damper on that desire. However, I am a fan of running on the treadmill at the gym, especially during the cooler months and/or on bad weather days. What can I say, I’m a wimp when it comes to dealing with the elements outside.
Money and space are good reasons for not having one. I saved up some money and figured it was a good investment since my husband was/is away a lot…it’s my sanity saver 🙂
I loath the mill, but am thankful for it on days like today!
It’s nice to have access to one when you need it!
I am pretty sure I would love my treadmill, if I had one! I know there have been times I wish I had one! Good for you for looking at it from a positive.
I do love my treadmill…even when I can’t get the belt back on properly. Eventually I figure it out and we’re friends again. I’ve never put clothing on it to dry 😉
I want a treadmill! Hello consistency, many of us know what to ask for as a Christmas present now I think!
I do love being able to run consistently! A treadmill for Christmas would be awesome!!! Fingers crossed for you 🙂
Finally a soul similar to mine! I love my treadmill as well! I started off a full time single mother so it was my lifesaver! I also believe that we should be more grateful as a whole that we even have access to one. We have the ability to train in safety! There are so many who are not so fortunate. I found mine for $250.00!!! Um, that’s a steal!!
YES!!!!!!!!! You totally get what I’m talking about. My treadmill is a sanity saver and someday’s it’s the only thing that gets me through my day with our girls (when my husband’s away for 5 days). I couldn’t agree more about being grateful to have access to a treadmill, that’s why I hate when people write they’ve been on their “dreadmill”. You got your’s for a steal – for sure!