How to make running more tolerable

I found the podcast Zombies run really fun for a treadmill. There is a website too. Its like Couch to 5K but with a script and you are running from zombies when you have to run. You sign up, first few episodes are free so you can see what you think.

But in reality, Parkrun is much more motivating for me.

I find it really boring too, to be honest. I’ve joined a running club recently which helps take the edge off a bit. I’m not a “proper” runner or anything just do parkrun and the odd interval session during the week but doing it with other people really helps! Take my hat off to you for lasting on the treadmill i can only do 10 minutes

A parkrun makes it just about tolerable. Tbh I've been running for 20yrs and it is mostly dull, I don't like it and I have zero endorphins once I'm done. Good music helps, as do a few ducks and nice dogs.

It's mostly a means to an end of reducing my chances of a heart attack and cancer.

Outside in fresh air. I prefer running on tarmac (along lanes) as I’m less likely to slip, as I have on grass, or trip, as I have on tracks through woods. Good socks and underwear are as crucial as the right shoes.

I’m an outdoor runner so the treadmill feels like a punishment.

for me podcasts work better as I have to concentrate to listen to it which distracts me from how much I hate running on a treadmill.

Definitely give park run a go. It’s really friendly and inclusive. If you can run 5K without stopping you won’t be anywhere near the last finisher. You can look up the results for the previous week so you can see the time the last person finished. It will definitely give you some perspective on how ‘slow’ you are.

Why do you do zone 2 training on the treadmill?! They’re much better suited to intervals imho (and z2 to long runs outside)

The treadmill is the issue. So very dull and boring running on them. I do it once a week to attempt some zone 2 training and it’s the most boring 30 mins of my week. 30 mins on the treadmill seems longer than and hour and a half of running outside in the sun down country lanes.

having been a slow, reluctant outdoor runner for years, I've just got a treadmill and flipping love it. Am too tight to pay for any of the proper running apps but set myself up in front of a telly with youtube - there are quite a lot of walks you can follow so you it kind of feels like 'going somewhere' but is more interesting than waddling around the village. Am not into team running/racing and prefer night time running if i do go outside and that's not always practical.... this seems to be working for me at the mo.

Things that help me:

I do peloton treadmill classes on my phone. So it tells me how fast to run/the incline etc. plus the instructor is talking and there is music

i I do virtual distance medals to motivate me. Current one is 500 miles.

30 mins is my shortest run of the week and when you run longer it really does fly by.

i find running indoors vs outdoors both fun and awful in different ways. It does help to mix it up

Bin the indoor version or mix it up with this: doing it with other people and having a coffee and maybe a cake afterwards. Add something to it that you feel some tangible reward for your effort. I probably wouldn't stick with running without other people. Most things exercise for me are either social or supporting the development of the social activities

Slow is good! Don’t think about your time - it doesn’t matter. The important thing is getting out there and feeling amazing.

Don't do it on a treadmill!!

Do it with friends or a club or at a parkrun.

I always found there running on a treadmill really tedious and demotivating, OP - feels twice as long as the distance you’re actually doing, just ploughing away on a static belt, and the time goes soooo slowly.

Moving outside was a real game changer for me. Just being out in nature and the different seasons was so uplifting, even under grey skies and drizzle! I also made quite precise playlists for different lengths of run, anticipating the points where I’d need a bit of a boost to keep going, and a few bangers towards the end to get me over the line. I also find running to a beat easier than listening to chat, as it propels me along.

One thing I’d also say is that pavement pounding can be as depressing as a treadmill (and can fuck your knees up), and I think there’s a big difference if you can get to a park/fields/woodland. So much more interesting, and running cross country is great for your core as well, as you have to concentrate so much more and recalibrate your stride etc, so the time really does go quicker.

I’m with you, running is so dull. Inside, outside, in parks, with a friend, alone… it’s always a chore. So I have no advice except to grit your teeth and get on with it, like I reluctantly do 😂

I listen to really fast beat music or listen to an audiobook or watch some tv. The best thing to (for me) is to have longer runs, that way a 5k seems like a quickie run by comparison. Could you up your distance once per week?

This is what l do too. One treadmill run when l watch a 30 min programme then l do parkrun

In the spirit of honesty, I would also like to make it clear that I was going to go on a run tonight but couldn’t be arsed so had a cream egg and stayed at home instead so I might not be able to provide the words of wisdom you need.

I will say that this month I’ve been a bit rubbish at running. And that makes it harder to get it. The more I do it, even if only really short runs, the easier it is to get out and do it.

I watch YouTube while I’m on the treadmill, the time flies.

Im one if the strange ones that hates running outside.

1. run outside
2. guided runs - I really like Nike Run Club and it’s completely free. For some people coach Bennett is a bit American but I genuinely find it easier when he’s talking to me! And you can pick your distance.
3. mix it up. Runs don’t have to be 5k long to be valuable. Only got 10 mins? Run for 10 mins! It’s not all or nothing.

I've started watching episodes of trashy TV shows while I run, find it slightly better than podcasts as I'm not as tempted to spend 30 mins staring at the clock.

As you say, you can walk back home, or take the bus. You can also just turn around after 5 minutes.

I do think outside is better, more interesting and cheaper, but you can definitely stop whenever you want to.

Def try running outside. Summer evenings can just be glorious. Ideally find a group (mine are all ladies of a certain age, mostly 40+ and none of us are fast) and/or try a local Parkrun. There are hundreds in the UK
now.’

You can pause outside, but you've got to get back home or to the car.

I did once quit a run at a chip shop and walk back the rest of the way. Can't do that on a treadmill
To be fair I had gone a substantial distance and CBAed with the last mile or two, and the last of the deep fatigue from my marathon the previous month hadn't quite shifted.

Of course you can stop at any time! It's actually harder to stop on the treadmill because you'll fall.