Treadmill running in the winter?

[MagpiePi]

I am not a huge fan of running but persevere because it is a convenient way of getting some exercise. I did a couple of HMs over the summer and want to maintain near that level of fitness with a view to doing HMs again next year without having to start from scratch again.
I have been doing a couple of 4/5/6 milers in the week, an intervals session and a longer 8/9 miler at the weekends.
Now that the gloom, cold and wet of winter is starting to set in I am finding it harder to get out and am starting to skip sessions. (I really, really hate the UK winter, so please don’t tell me how much you love it and I should just buy lots of winter gear and embrace the misery!) I do go out if it is dry but it’s not often enough to keep the mileage up.

I am considering whether to do more treadmill running at the gym when the weather is bad, just to get the miles in. Do you think it is a reasonable alternative ?

Hello op. I’m not going to tell you embrace winter. I loathe it too!

I do most of my running on the treadmill. I have arthritic knees and i Find it easier on the knees and I’m much more likely to get it done then going outside in the dark and damp. I await the runners coming to tell me it’s not real running but tbh I don’t care 😬

I have run thousands of miles on the treadmill.

it’s not as physically challenging as running outside. But it’s better than not running at all.

my tip would be to put the treadmill on a slight incline to make it more challenging. There’s also some great apps that’ll give you guided runs with different paces and inclines Along the way.

good luck. Hope it keeps you moving.

I think having some peaks and troughs in your training can be good (on season and off season) and will help you keep enjoying it and help performance. Do you already do lots of strength and conditioning?
How do you find boredom on the treadmill? I think I would switch in some swimming or rowing and do a kind of reverse pyramid where I gradually lowered mileage up to Christmas and then built it back up again.

Just remember that 30minutes in the treadmill feels like 60.
I also hate running when it's cold and try my best with the treadmill. I've never been able to do more than 7k before I absolutely want to claw my face off.

Tv. Podcasts. Music. They stave off boredom. Plus watching what workouts everyone else is doing. All keep me occupied. It’s no more boring than running in the dark when only the fear of tripping up or getting run over keeps you from dying of boredom imho.

Thanks all.

I have done a couple of longer treadmill runs recently and have actually found them a bit more challenging than outdoor runs, I think because you are forced to keep a consistent pace rather than being able to vary it as you can when outdoors.
I also listen to podcasts on the treadmill whereas I run without any audio outdoors without getting bored. I’m also quite nosy to see what others are doing on their treadmill!

I do weights 2/3 times a week and am just starting to learn Olympic lifting.

I suppose I do feel a bit that it’s not ‘proper’ running, but I will embrace it as a legitimate alternative.

People are different. I hate the dreadmill and would rather run in pitch black winter mornings in sideways freezing rain.
Meanwhile, DH can happily plug in his headphones and run in the gym for two hours. Each of us find the other baffling.

If the treadmill works for you during the winter, go for it.

Let us know how you get on. I’d be interested.

I’ve just a quick couple of miles plus some strength work this morning and a Smoothie in the cafe and feel set up for the day.

Will do! I’ll be going tomorrow after work.

I think I will still try and do intervals outside as I cannot see myself doing that thing where you do a sprint, leave the treadmill going and jump your feet to the side, then jump back on and start running at full speed again.

I went to the gym this morning and had a Belgian bun did carb loading at a friend’s this afternoon.

Yes that’ll be great. I’ve only just started doing strength training (bit late to the party at 57 😬) and im Really enjoying it.

I can and do do the jumping off and off thing <preens> but that’s many years’ practice.

I saw a bloke running sideways on the treadmill last week. I think I’ll give that a miss 😳

Yes go for it

I “learnt” to run on a treadmill and only started running outside years later
i now mostly run outside but next year we’re getting an extension so that i can put a treadmill in it, specifically so that i can use in winters cos like you I can’t be dealing with running in the dark (though am fine in daylight , there isn’t enough of it)
you can control your speed much better on treadmills so I for one go faster.
boredom is the main issue but it doesn’t seem to be for you

Oh, bravo for the jumping on and off!! I sometimes feel like I’m going to trip over if I turn my head too far to look at the machine next to me.

I love doing weights and used to be really strong - deadlift 120kg for reps, squat 80kgs, bench 50kgs etc, but covid lockdowns plus menopause hit at the same time and I’m only just really getting back into it. I’m 56.

So, i was all psyched up to go for an outdoor run after work; the sun was out and the sky was clear, and I got as far as lacing up my trainers and digging out my running gloves, and then, I just couldn't face the cold, so went to the gym instead.
I did a steady 5 miles with a podcast, and yes, it was a bit dull in the middle, and I managed to hit the emergency stop button at one point and come to a grinding halt, but I was on a machine in front of the window and watched all the traffic and proper runners (in their shorts and tank tops!) go past and got the distance in. I should have changed my long leggings for some shorts before I went but at least the changing room and shower were warm, not like my freezing bathroom!

Oh well done! I was supposed to go to spin this morning. Put my alarm on an extra hour instead! 😬

I have a treadmill and use it in the winter or on a rainy day. It wasn’t cheap but I can watch Netflix on it to stave off the boredom and it is compatible with Zwift which means the runs show up properly on Strava. I read somewhere that a 0.5 degree slope offsets the air resistance advantage. I used to do that and have forgotten about it recently. It also has some programs on it for setting interval runs etc. It isn’t being used as a clothes horse anyway - I am quite pleased with it a couple of years on.

Sometimes an extra hour in bed does you more good than a half arsed exercise session that you really don't want to do!

If I promise you here that I’ll go after work then I have to go don’t I? (I neeeeeeeed accountability!)

Well done for reclaiming it from the laundry. I'm sure I'd lose my balance if I was watching a screen!

I've read conflicting advice about whether to set a slight incline to replicate running outside unless you are running quite fast.
https://runnersworldonline.com.au/biomechanics-expert-debunks-treadmill-running-myths/runnersworldonline.com.au/biomechanics-expert-debunks-treadmill-running-myths/

I went. Just ran for half an hour and did some stretches but at least I went.

Whatever keeps you moving OP!

I struggle on the treadmill, I get really overheated very quickly, gyms are too warm for me. I did 45 minutes on a hotel treadmill while I was away for work last week (I was supposed to do an hour) and nearly expired with boredom. I had a podcast on and positioned myself in front of one of the TV screens and still couldn't push past it. Its a real pain.

My friend however trained for a marathon entirely on her home treadmill during lockdown. I was super impressed when she told me. Really dedicated!

You only regret the workout you didn't do, as they say
😀

I don't think I could manage more than an hour on a treadmill tbh. At least when you are out and about the scenery changes and you get to say hi to people and dogs and see some interesting birds sometimes.

The thought of marathon training in general makes my insides shrivel, never mind doing it all on a treadmill!