| This morning I completed my last run before the Philadelphia Half Marathon this Sunday. Just like when I was training for both marathons, I did most of my training for this race on the treadmill. I know there are some runners out there who would never be caught dead on a treadmill and will tell you why running on a treadmill isn't really running, but it works for me. Especially this time of year, daylight hours are limited, and sometimes 5:00am is the only time I can get in a solid run. I love doing intervals and speed work on the treadmill, and I truly believe that treadmill running has contributed to my ability to run at an even pace. |  |
While I mostly run on the treadmill at my apartment complex, I sometimes run other places, and I've noticed that each treadmill feels different and contributes the overall feel of my run - have you ever noticed this? I realize some of this must be mental, but I'm also wondering if there's some scientific explanation to it also. I've put together this list of things I've noticed that affect my treadmill running.
Treadmill quality Call me crazy (you wouldn't be the first one), but even though I can set a cheap treadmill and a super nice gym-quality treadmill to the same speed, running always feel more pleasant and "easier" on the nicer treadmill. The better quality treadmill is smoother and it just feels like I don't have to put in as much effort to hit the same speed. |  runningtherealworld.wordpress.com |
Size of the room
I've run in treadmills in all kinds of rooms (even on a cruise ship, which is a completely different experience), and the size of the room and the placement of the treadmill can make a huge impact on my run. If I'm in a small room, and the treadmill is up against a wall or in the corner, mentally, the run feels tougher. When I'm in a huge gym with tons of treadmills, it doesn't even matter how close together the treadmills are, but the air flow is better, it doesn't get as stuffy and I just feel better while running.
Ability to watch TV Although I typically run with music while running outside, I can also run with no music or while talking to a friend. When I'm inside on a treadmill, the ability to watch TV can make or break my run. It doesn't need to be something super interesting (at 5:00am, it's a recap of last night's shootings/robberies, the weather and the traffic, or that time when a women was rescued from in between bleachers at Wilmington University), but it's just something to take my focus away from running. |  happyorhungry.com |
Time of day
Hands down, the time of day makes the most impact on my treadmill running. When I get up at 5:00am to run, my joints may be a little stuff, and I'm just plain tired. No matter where I'm running, it can feel like a struggle. Treadmill running at 5:00pm? It's a completely different type of exercise.
What do you prefer while running on a treadmill?
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