Trying to think through the idea of a treadmill

happysongbird

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Jul 1, 2011
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Even a month ago, I would have shuddered at the possibility of using a treadmill, but the weather is limiting me. Partly, it is the cold, partly the slipping, and partly the lack of light. I know I'm wimpier than some of you, plus my husband gets stressed out worrying about me out in the elements. I now think, just give me a hamster wheel, anything, I need to run, even if it is in circles! Then, I read the stories and threads about injuries from treadmills, as well as them bouncing or heating up. Is there no hope for me here trapped in the house?
 
I've found it depends on the treadmill. My in-laws treadmill chews up my soles but doesn't burn them. The treadmill here in my condo's gym lightly burns my feet but does not chew up the soles. All treadmills are boring. I only occasionally use the treadmill here at my condo. When I do use it I can only do short 2'ish mile runs. Oh, and I've also found that the speed of the treadmill can make the belt hotter. The one here at my condo the faster I set the speed the hotter it gets. A 7 mph pace on that thing is my max before it gets too hot for me.
 
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I've moved this to the Gear & Footwear forum. I will leave a redirect that will expire in 1 day. Thanks.
 
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I've moved this to the Gear & Footwear forum. I will leave a redirect that will expire in 1 day. Thanks.
I don't konw what to do with this info. Do I need to look for it and comment, so that I can tell when others have said something?
 
Treat it like you created it there instead. You can find it there, and others will comment on it there.
 
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I've got a gym-quality treadmill in my home but never use it. When it's too cold to be BF, I wear Altra Adams (or huaraches if there's no danger of freezing).
 
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I think you should give the treadmill a chance.
I have one and although I much prefer outdoor running sometimes it's just not possible and having a treadmill is nice and convenient. My vote is a yes on the mill.
 
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I think you should give the treadmill a chance.
I have one and although I much prefer outdoor running sometimes it's just not possible and having a treadmill is nice and convenient. My vote is a yes on the mill.
So, what kind do you have? How far do you run on it? Do you run on it completely barefoot? Do you have trouble with it heating up?:)
 
So, what kind do you have? I can't recall the brand right now but I'll look this evening and will let you know Monday(I have computer free weekends).

How far do you run on it? The farthest I've gone on the mill is 50K
Do you run on it completely barefoot? sure do

Do you have trouble with it heating up? just like anything else, there is an adaptation period, I'll go as far as I could untill the soles of my feet said-enough!:)
I haven't done any TM running yet because it needs to be calibrated so I've been doing indoor track running.
 
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I bought a Horizon T73 treadmill from a friend several years ago. It is a gym quality unit with 12% incline and up to 12mph (I'm only up to 5% and 8 right now), and I run on it barefoot when I can't run outside. I do about 1/4 to 1/3 of my miles on it. Initially I got a few small blisters, but none of them amounted to anything (probably since my feet were already toughened from all of my barefoot hiking). I like that I can do interval training on it, not that I can't otherwise, but the programming makes it easier. It is definitely NOT the same as running, but if you are trying to maintain a level of training, and can't otherwise get in a real run, then it is the next best thing.
 
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I have Pro Form (I got the best Walmart provides) I don't have any problems with heat or blisters. just boredom. But, with the right music I kinda just, Lose myself in the moment...
 
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I bought a Horizon T73 treadmill from a friend several years ago. It is a gym quality unit with 12% incline and up to 12mph (I'm only up to 5% and 8 right now), and I run on it barefoot when I can't run outside. I do about 1/4 to 1/3 of my miles on it. Initially I got a few small blisters, but none of them amounted to anything (probably since my feet were already toughened from all of my barefoot hiking). I like that I can do interval training on it, not that I can't otherwise, but the programming makes it easier. It is definitely NOT the same as running, but if you are trying to maintain a level of training, and can't otherwise get in a real run, then it is the next best thing.
Could you describe how it seems different to you?
 
I don't know. It just seems that I don't get the same "muscle feedback" as I get from a run on the road. Also, a run on the treadmill seems to be easier. I don't have to make adjustments in speed, change direction, or otherwise make adjustments to variations in the course. That's why I stated that it seems like it is good for maintaining a level of training, and is a decent substitue for a run, but cannot altogether replace a good run in the open air. Also, when I run on the street, I run with a friend, and that is a great motivation. Unless I am in a gym with a bank of treadmills, I find that lack of companionship and motivation reduces my efficiency.
 
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Also, a run on the treadmill seems to be easier.

That's interesting. I am the exact opposite! When I run on the treadmill I feel like it takes much more effort, an 8 minute pace feel like an all out sprint; but on the road, I can relax into a 7:30 pace without problem. After 3 miles on the treadmill I feel like I was just sucker punched by Sloth (Goonies reference.) I can run 6+miles on the road and feel great.
 
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That's interesting. I am the exact opposite! When I run on the treadmill I feel like it takes much more effort, an 8 minute pace feel like an all out sprint; but on the road, I can relax into a 7:30 pace without problem. After 3 miles on the treadmill I feel like I was just sucker punched by Sloth (Goonies reference.) I can run 6+miles on the road and feel great.

That's how it is for me too...exactly!
But I have hear other people say that TM running is easier for them too I wonder why that is.
 
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That's how it is for me too...exactly!
But I have hear other people say that TM running is easier for them too I wonder why that is.

I think we're the normal ones, those other people are just plain weird. :D