Tips on Beating Treadmill Boredom

1. Music / TV


2. Listening to audiobooks. There are many audiobooks that can be downloaded right to ipods.


3. Speed Intervals: Increasing the speed for certain intervals, such as a half mile or the length of a song can boost performance and break up monotony. 


4. Adding Hills: Increasing the incline for a few minutes here and there is another way to challenge oneself and take the mind off of the treadmill. Remember, there is no down hill on the treadmill so after the run, do 20 lunges with each leg.

Treadmill Pace = Outdoor Pace?

Today I decided to use the treadmill for the first time in about six months. It was just way too hot out this morning. I did a hard six miles and for some reason it felt harder than my outdoor runs. This probably has to do with the mental aspect...it was very boring! But, as I was running, I started wondering if the pace I was doing on the treadmill would be the same if I were running outside. I figured it wouldn't be, considering no wind resistance, etc. on the treadmill. So after doing some research, I found a handy pace conversion chart. I was running at 7.5 speed on the treadmill at a 0% incline (an 8 min. mile on the treadmill), so outdoors it would be the equivalent of an 8:20 mile. Check out the site...http://www.hillrunner.com/training/tmillchart.php