My basement bestie….<3
I love to run. I will run indoors and outdoors but the truth is I LOVE running on the treadmill. I know this is not a popular opinion with the majority with distance runners. I happily log anywhere from 40-50 miles a week on a treadmill and I love it. I even broke the 2 hour barrier for my last half marathon training exclusively on a treadmill.
Treadmill running is not a perfect substitute for outdoor running, I understand that (so did my butt and inner thighs after that hilly half). Even at a 1% incline it does not use the same muscles and power since you have help from the belt and no natural course undulation and winds. But I truly enjoy it, and that is what is important right? Physically and mentally I still get benefits and gains that I desire. I sweat, train my body, and clear my mind. That is what I am really looking for when running.
Note: My feelings may be biased because, like many, I live in an area where it is hard to run outside. There are a lot of narrow non-sidewalked streets with a lot of creepy woods. I get scared. And unlike many there is a self proclaimed gingerbread lady who lives in a gingerbread house right off my street. Seriously. I don’t dig that.
Top Ten Reasons I love my treadmill:
- I don’t have to worry about being safe
- As a busy mom, the treadmill works around my schedule and I don’t have to work around the suns.
- I can catch up on TV in peace and turn my music up as loud as I want
- No rain, snow, sleet, hail
- Perfect TEMPERATURE (I HATE being too hot or too cold)
- I can people watch
- No DOGS/spider webs
- Bathroom available at anytime
- I don’t have to carry my water
- I can creepily race people next to me without them knowing (distance/speed/time doesn’t matter, let the games begin) so I don’t get bored.
I know “soul” runners love the outdoors and the fresh air. And I like it too but I love the gym and I am ok with being with the unpopular crowd on this. But just in case you are like me and love the treadmill or it is raining or dark out when you need to log some miles and you can’t get outside, here are a two of my favorite treadmill workouts for speed or hill days: (Click on Charts to Enlarge)
Speed:
Great Speed Workout
Hills (add 5 minute warm up/ cool down):
Pyramid Hill Challenge from Runner’s Times
Doesn’t really matter what anybody else thinks. Only what works for you.
I like both, myself, and agree with many of the notes you mentioned about why the treadmill’s great…But there’s something that allows me to zone out and go further outside. On the treadmill I can work on speed, and in the winter I love it as an option! Wish I had one at our own home!
Good to be who you are and love what you love – treadmill or not! Fun post. 
I agree with most of your reasons to liking the treadmill and to be honest.. if I had a nice one like the gyms have.. I would be all about using it in my home. The flexibility and ease of using it as a mother… and teh safety would be my ultimate reasons… the only downfall for me would be that my boy loves to go runnin in his stroller so much! GREAT post.. and it is so good to NOT be popular!
Cassey
I enjoy the treadmill too, though I don\’t run nor race. I DO watch Dancing With the Stars from my happy treadmill place! http://funandfit.org/4-stages-to-healthier-habits/
I actually don’t mind the treadmill either. BUT I do prefer running outside during the summer. Whatever works for you is the best!
I like both actually. I was a treadmill fan for years and would only run on it, summer, winter, fall, spring no matter what it looked like outside. Then I occasionally would run outside and I’ve managed to incorporate outdoor running more often. I’ve steered away from running as much as I used to because of knee issues, however, I love your reasons and they are all valid. As long as you love your workouts and they work for your lifestyle. You go girl.
It doesn’t matter where you run – inside or outside – you are doing it and THAT is the most important. I’m finding that tm running has it’s benefits and I’m trying to embrace it.
I too don’t mind both. Yes, I prefer running outside but there are times when that just doesn’t work out – too cold, hot, humid, whatever. Plus, sometimes I prefer to do intervals on the treadmill because I can control my pace and know my mileage (I don’t have a Garmin). I agree with folks above – whatever works for you!
I have my moments with the treadmill… just like I have my moments with running outside. It’s all about perspective! I don’t mind the treadmill too much, and you’re right – it’s definitely nice to have water, bathroom, etc., available to you at all times!
I’m so impressed with people who can do all their running on treadmills… it can definitely be more convenient, especially for moms… awesome that it’s working so well for you, and that you broke the 2 hour mark training exclusively on it!
I am strictly an outdoor runner, I don’t care if it’s a blizzard or a tornado, I won’t run on a treadmill. But that doesn’t mean you’re wrong. I think that anyone who has found a healthy routine that works for them is awesome. I don’t like treadmills because I get bored and they hurt my ankles, I’m used to the hard pavement and the bounce of a treadmill just doesn’t work for me. But it works for you and that’s great. I think what bothers a lot of outdoor runners about treadmill runners is that they think they are doing the same thing, even though a lot of the time they don’t turn the incline on or challenge their speed because it’s controlled (from my experience at least). But you clearly are, and you clearly have seen the difference in a treadmill incline and a hill. Your treadmill workout looks awesome, it fits with your schedule and makes you happy, so good for you.
I my miles most exclusively on trails but I have no issue with someone running on a treadmill! Keep racing those fellow runners!!!!
Due to need and safety I log most of my miles, especially during the school year (since I’m a teacher) on the mill. It’s all about what works!!
I love both. And to get even further into the unpopular crowd, I like running on the elliptical too. I push myself to hit more miles there and then work it into my regular running. Plus the ones at my gym have a fan on them. Swoon.
Hahaha I hear you. Love the fans and wish my gym had the indiv. tvs on their machines too!
I trained pretty much exclusively for my first marathon on the treadmill and I loved it! now i’m in florida and trying to soak up every moment of being near the water so I find the treadmill much harder than I used to
Who cares what others think? You’re doing what’s right for you and that’s awesome!!! Go girl!!! I’d rather run outside but don’t mind the treadmill too bad. It has saved me many times when I couldn’t run outside due to the weather.
Running is a personal thing. I say whatever works for you works!! Whoohoo GO girlie!
I wish I had a treadmill! There are late nights and early mornings that I know I would use it!
Really liked this post. There si some haterade for the treadmill but I liked yoru top 10 reasons — especially the bathroom part. I enjoy the tread sometimes…especially if I have a magazine to read or I need to break up a really long run. If I were a mom and had one in my house, it would be my best friend! Great idea for a post — Ericka @ The Sweet Life (sweetlifeericka.com)
I’m definitely more of an outdoor runner, but still love the treadmill bec it’s an easy option to fit it in and can be fun with speed play type workouts. Gotta do what works for you!
You have to do what works for you. I prefer the outside, but there have been times in my life where running would not have happened without the treadmill in my basement. What’s important is that you’ve found a solution that works for you and allows you to train. Win!
I live in Oregon…meaning 9 months of the year it’s dark and rainy, I *could* run outside, but I don’t want to. So in the winter I head to the gym for spin class and the treadmill. Summertime I am rarely in the gym!
I hear you. I struggle with spin! Cycling KILLED me during my sprint tri a couple of years ago and I have stayed away since! But I really should get back into it since they now have spin express at my gym.
I love the poll you took at the end of the post. I need to figure how to do that for my blog.
Good for you logging those treadmill miles!!
Thanks! I used this to figure it out! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C0_murmfstM
I am typically more of an outdoor runner, but I also don’t hate the treadmill (usually). There have been times that I’ve actually preferred the controlled conditions & ease of just jumping on and getting that workout done. I’ve actually done a 16 mile training run on a treadmill in my parents basement at one point in my life – although I can’t say I loved it. i think it’s great that you’ve made peace with it and enjoy it – no excuses, right?!
Anything that gets the job done!
I don’t mind running on the treadmill. I’ve done up to about 6 miles on it… but, I prefer outside. Although I’m a weather wimp and would gladly get on the TM on a bad weather day. I did go for a short TM run the other morning at the gym and *totally* raced the woman on the TM next to me. She was *not* going to beat me.
The treadmill has its perks, I log a lot of my miles on the treadmill during naps and in winter, but will always get outside in summer if possible
It def. helps with a baby anything that can be done at home is amazingggg for me
I prefer running outside but I also enjoy running on the treadmill too! I got love for both
good for you for liking the treadmill so much! i wish i did but hey I get outside mostly lucky enough!