How to Run on a Treadmill for a Long Time Without Losing Your Mind

It’s a fact of life for runners that not every day is one on which we can go outside.  Maybe it’s raining hard or too cold or too hot.  Whatever the reason, a treadmill can provide a great alternative to those days on which running outside is simply not an option.  However, there is a problem with treadmills.  No, it isn’t that you will go flying off of it.  Treadmills are boring.  One of the reasons running outside is so enjoyable is that you get to see things and the scenery is constantly changing, even if only a little bit at a time.

If you use the treadmill for half an hour, you are going to go through the same monotony for half an hour.  So, does running on the treadmill have to be so mind-numbing?  Not at all – and here we give you three tips on how to run on a treadmill for a long time without losing your mind.

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Tip 1 – Get a Good Pair of Running Shoes

Perhaps you were expecting something having to do more with mentality as our first tip for how to run on a treadmill for a long time without losing your mind.  Well, getting a good pair of shoes – which you can easily find online by searching for “best running shoes for plantar fasciitis 2020” – is as much about maintaining a good mental focus as it is about protecting your feet.  Due to the nature of running on a treadmill, you will want to be sure your heels are protected and your feet are adequately cushioned against the impact of each foot strike against the treadmill.  Trying to run on the treadmill while in pain will make it difficult to impossible to stay focused on your work-out, not to mention it could lead to serious long-term injuries.

Tip 2 – Watch Something You Like

Looking at the same thing constantly while doing your run on the treadmill can bore you to tears.  Therefore, one of the ways how to run on a treadmill for a long time without losing your mind is to simply try scheduling your treadmill run so that you can watch a TV show you enjoy at the same time.  Doing this will take your focus off of the monotony of running in place and allow you to simply get your work-out done while enjoying a show you like.

Tip 3 – Adjust the Treadmill Settings

Doing the same thing over and over again is what leads to boredom – be it in regards to running on the treadmill or anything in life.  That’s why our last tip on how to run on a treadmill for a long time without losing your mind involves the concept of change.  Now, of course you can’t simply move your treadmill to different places while you’re using it – but there is something you can do to make your work-out drone on less.  Change the settings on your treadmill.  Try starting off at a slow walk, moving to a jog, then going into a run before going back in the reverse order as you get your heart rate back to normal.  Another option is to adjust your incline settings for more resistance.

There you have it – three simple tips on how to run on a treadmill for a long time without losing your mind.  Be sure your feet are protected and comfortable, watch something on TV while working out, and play around with the buttons on your treadmill machine.  If you want to learn more about running in general, be sure to check out our list of the gold rules of running.