Comments on: The Treadmill Ten

By: Charlotte

Charlotte — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:32:53 +0000

I just googled “7 mile treadmill run will i hate myself afterwards?” and your article was the first to pop up. And thank goodness it did! I generally hate running on treadmills, but the famous portland dreariness/annoying intermittent rain has finally hit, so I figured I better give it a try. I used to be only a short distance runner (2-4 miles) but recently I’ve been training for a half-marathon. Today I’m doing my longest run so far- 7 miles- and since the rain started I’ve been agonizing over just how frustrating the run will be on the treadmill. But your blog post gave me a little hope that it mostly is mental and I’m going to take this as a challenge!

As far as treadmill distractions, nothing makes my runs more enjoyable than listening to NPR’s This American Life on my ipod. It occupies your mind in a really positive, intellectual way. (Although I love running with music too!)

By: troy

troy — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 18:03:18 +0000

The most I have run on a TM is 16 miles!!!! I was out of the country and in the middle of marathon training. Running outside was not an option at all given the situation. I HAD to do my LR on the TM. Every 6 miles ( i.e an hour), the TM would stop ( as it was programmed that way). Finished in a little less than than 2 hrs 40 min. The folks at the gym probably thought I was nuts!!! The hardest was the first hour when I still had so many miles to do. It got better after that. It made me stronger, mentally for sure.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:08:07 +0000

Jeremy, I am honored that you read this blog and all the comments and thank you for sharing your story! More importantly, thank you for serving our country. Your determination and focus to carry out 26.2 on a treadmill is beyond admirable and you achieved quite the PR! I will be running the Marine Corps Marathon in DC this fall and look forward to honoring all the men and women like yourself who serve the USA. I can only hope to run that race with as much focus as you have had training in Iraq. I am sure you will have the warmest welcome home and a rewarding marathon experience in Honolulu. Good luck!

By: jeremy

jeremy — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 19:20:10 +0000

I have a huge fan of the treadmill for one reason. I am stationed in Iraq and the summer heat was 125 midday. So I started running and running. I have never had any treadmill issues, in Dec210 I ran a half at 1.57, then 1.44, then 1.36. So I started increasing my runs and hit 18 when my wife said might as well got for it, so 3 weeks ago (8AUG) I ran my 26.2, AKA Hamster Marathon in 3 1/2 hours. I continue to run on the treadmill but now run outdoors twice a week in hopes of running the Honolulu Marathon in Dec when I return from Iraq. I watch the news, movies and music on my ipad, bring gel packs, and water. I like the fact that I can distance run and provide my own support. I use a life fitness treadmill.
Cheers,
Jeremy

By: rpk

rpk — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 03:40:33 +0000

Nice blog. I’ve done some long TM runs over the years, forced by various tough weather conditions: extremely hot and humid, freezing with icy sidewalks, darkness, etc. Even being on business travel and not really knowing where to run long. I’ve done up to 18 miles on the ‘mill. I don’t mind running long if there’s a tv and, preferably, some sports on. Then it can become a game … How many miles can I run before half-time, etc. Some times I’ve watched a basketball game and run at different paces while the game clock is running, when the clock is stopped, and during commercial breaks — just to break the monotony. Perhaps I’m a total geek.

By: Anneli Lambeth

Anneli Lambeth — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:19:02 +0000

opps just realized that was in 2010…ha

By: Anneli Lambeth

Anneli Lambeth — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:17:34 +0000

good luck!! you’ll do great… i did my first ever half in april… so i remember how happy i was when i did my first 10 miler.. it was in march sometime. Since then ive done 3 more halfs. Running and racing is soo addicting. Don’t worry..i really feel like 10 miles is a big milestone.. your in the double digits!.. you can tack on the last few no problem!

By: Anneli Lambeth

Anneli Lambeth — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 19:11:24 +0000

The longest ive ever run period is 13.2, halfmarathon and the first time i ever ran the distance was when i was training for my first halfmarathon, and i did it first on the treadmill. Then i ran it outside. I have discovered after doing many long runs on the treadmill (forced by harsh syracuse, ny winters) that there are defintely benefits to a treadmill!! Although I lovee to run outside, I am a wimp when i comes to bad weather i’m not gonna lie. What i found after last winter running for 3 months inside on the treadmill is that my stance and form improved tremendously! Running on the treadmill forces me to pay more attention to my form because i psychologically feel like when i adjust myself i can actually complete 12 or 13 on the treadmill. The other thing is that you appreciate an outside run like its GODSENT after 3 months indoors.

By: Kara

Kara — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:12:56 +0000

I’m glad I found this post … I’m training for my first marathon in October (Portland Marathon) and am scheduled for 14 mi. tomorrow, but the heat/humidity is unbearable this week (in Virginia Beach, VA), especially with asthma. I’ve done some of my short runs on the treadmill but never a long run and am … well … scared. I’m 30 and have only been running for a year. I have not been successful at increasing my min./mi. (average 13-14 min./mi.) … I’m a pretty slow runner. Reading these posts has given me some ideas for my run tomorrow. Thank you all.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Sun, 10 Jul 2011 15:17:34 +0000

Anand–GREAT tips! Mini-goals add up for sure, help pass the time and ultimately help increase speed by adding as you go. Every little bit counts.

Libby–thanks for adding your advice, sounds like you have some good first hand experience. Hope you’ve had a good season and keep on running!

Alex–quite simply, ‘good on ya.’ You inspire!