I get it. Treadmills are not seen as the allies of dedicated runners. We can be downright hostile to their monotony, even at Anywhere5K. But hold off on your ridicule for a second and think about what really matters — getting your feet moving. An outright rejection of the treadmill restricts the times and dates when running is feasible. Keep it in your back pocket as an alternative, and there’s no day (no matter how cold) and no time (no matter how dark) when running isn’t an option using simple gear.
A few years back I was working a job with irregular hours. I had no money for proper gear to run at night or in the cold. The result: I stopped running on a regular basis, gained 25 pounds, and decided to make friends with the treadmill. Now my weight is back under control and my work hours saner, but the treadmill remains to ensure I never fall off the wagon. Yes, the monotony of running in place can be brutal. But I’ve picked up a few tips along the way. Allow me to share.
