Bored on Threadmills. Suggestions?

Sangre

Well the title says it all really, I just get mind numblingly bored on the thread mills. I was runnning 25 minutes getting around 5k.Im just doing this for fitness, not training or anything, Im a terrible long distence runner, but lately Im getting so bored on them. Instead of running at around 13km/h avg, I just start sprinting now and again meaning I have to stop sooner, I just cant hack the tedium.

Any suggestions to keep up endurance/fitness without the monotiny while keeping a program?

OfflerCrocGod

MUSIC, I know what you mean when you say boredom, I found getting my NetMD packed with 40 Pop/Rock songs that have a good beat keept me going for much longer at higher speeds.

Genghis

If I am planning a long treadmill session, I tend to plan around something on the TV - for example a football game. Instead of sitting on the couch, I can watch it on the treadmill. Music is good, too.

Another 'game' I play is trying to keep a certain pace per mile - i.e. trying to reach 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles by certain times - and trying to do so at a similar pace as it goes on.

Tray

When I started my regime I bought a Creative Zen Jukebox MP3 player to combat this. 20Gb or over 6000 songs on it- result!:D

tunney

Best advice I ever got when I complained of being bored on a threadmill was "Run outside". Not exactly what you wanted to hear but its much more interesting. Mark off a 5 mile route on a bike/car and run that?

Mr E

Music helps ALOT. I have a tiny solid state MP3 player which fits in my pocket while I'm running.

Originally posted by Tray
When I started my regime I bought a Creative Zen Jukebox MP3 player to combat this. 20Gb or over 6000 songs on it- result!:D

Where do you have that, Tray? I hope you don't have it in your pocket while your running -- the impact of running won't help the hard disk in your player....

- Dave.

Guv

Wouldn't a 5 mile run take you less than 30mins?

Genghis

5 miles? 30 minutes? You what now?

tunney

Wouldn't a 5 mile run take you less than 30mins?

Of course, but I find that a route shorter than 5 miles is not useful and longer than five miles is a bit too much if all you want is a nice reco run.

I used to have a 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 mile routes marked out all with the same start/finish point and by combining the lot I could get whatever distance I wanted for that day. But if I had to have just one, it would be a 5 mile route with mile markers.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

Tray

Originally posted by TmB
Music helps ALOT. I have a tiny solid state MP3 player which fits in my pocket while I'm running. Where do you have that, Tray? I hope you don't have it in your pocket while your running -- the impact of running won't help the hard disk in your player....

- Dave.

Very true- I end up carrying it in my hand to give the hard disk some small bit of suspension. Carrying it aint ideal and I've considered buying a Muvo as well...

hamster

Yeah, agreed music definitely helps especially some trance tunes... I have a flash memory memory player that is half the size of my fist and is very light (128Mb). Fits abouts 4 hours worth. I guess you could get one of those newer ones between 120-240 Euro and you'd have 256-512Mb on board. Enough for a day worth...

But ahem... back to the point... music definitely helps...

5 miles in 30 minutes? I'm still at the stage where I mix a very fast walk/sprint with jogging (5-10 minutes bursts). I guess I do about 2.5 miles if I jogged constantly but currently would be shagged doing that. I get 30 mins walking to work in the morning alright and I wouldn't jog because I might be early!

Sangre

Originally posted by Genghis
If I am planning a long treadmill session, I tend to plan around something on the TV - for example a football game. Instead of sitting on the couch, I can watch it on the treadmill. Music is good, too.

Another 'game' I play is trying to keep a certain pace per mile - i.e. trying to reach 2 miles, 3 miles, 4 miles by certain times - and trying to do so at a similar pace as it goes on.

That would be ideal unfortunately I run in the gym. I also do that game you suggest try run at whatever for a certain amount of time and its great when you beat your goal but it gets boring waiting for that goal or even after it.

I think Im just gonna try bring in some headphones for the tv in front of the threadmill (doesnt help boredom without sound). I could also try the CD player, hopefully there wont be that much shock on top of the threadmill in the cup holder. Thanks for the suggestions.

Also, since Im not training for long distance running is short bursts or long and steady better for fitness/weight loss?

legit2

if i have to run on a treadmill (something i am not fond of doing) i listen to music or race against an imaginary person sounds sad but it works for me. Best advice i have read here is go outside it can be cold and wet but the buzz of running outdoors is great after a while and treadmill running cannot compare ( well for me anyway)