If I haven’t made it abundantly clear to you before, let me just clear up any confusion you may have right now.
I HATE A TREADMILL.
But with the training plan that I’m doing right now for my spring half marathon, that’s exactly where I find myself once a week. On Tuesdays, I will be doing some sort of speed work, whether it be intervals or a tempo run or hills, and as much as I hate to admit it, the only way I can successfully pull that off is on a treadmill.
Last night I headed to the gym for a 5-mile hill workout. That dang treadmill kicked my butt from one end of that gym to the other. I set it on the “rolling” program, and it rolled all right. Rolled over me like a steam roller. As with most treadmill workouts, it peaked in intensity about halfway through. I think I died once. I almost quit at three miles, but I bargained with myself. “No! You have chili waiting at home! These next two miles are two more beers!” And so I muddled through. It was hot. It was sweaty. It was slow. But in approximately 55 minutes it was DONE! And that, my friends, was the best part of it. And just like Funderson said, I am just as proud of that 5 miles on a treadmill (I’ve only done that distance on a mill a couple of other times and never any farther) than I am of any other run I’ve ever done.
It’s the little things…
herbie on the run 
I have actually never done a hill workout on the treadmill. It just sounds like torture. I should probably do it one of these days because “it's good for me”.
I was just reading your page 'broadening my horizons', you crack me up!
LikeLike
Oh, hated treadmill…how I hate thee with all my hate filled heart. Well done my dear on your fight with the devil.
LikeLike
HATE?
HATE?
HATE?
it's such a strong word. 😉
love the treadmill and it will love you back [I promise]. yes, even on hill days. 😉
you. rock.
LikeLike
Good for you for getting it done. I hate the mill too, but would KILL to be able to run on it right now!!
LikeLike
I used to hate it too. No, my knees hate them…BUT…I use it during short easy runs. if I go further than 5K, my knees start to hurt. But when it's really hot outside, I'd rather go on the treadmill. =)
LikeLike
At least your treadmill was able to do the hill function! The treadmill in my building tries to incline and just makes a horrendous noise. Good job for working through it!
LikeLike
I am with you.
I just did 4 miles hill on the machine…did not enjoy any second of it but happy it is done.
LikeLike
I have never used any of the functions on the treadmill. I always do it manually. I never even thought of doing hills on a treadmill. I guess that makes me kind of stupid. hahahah.
LikeLike
This post is the ONLY realson I made it through my TM 5 miler today. So thanks!
LikeLike
Nothing like the promise of beer to get 'er done.
LikeLike
Nothing like the promise of beer to get 'er done.
LikeLike
Great post – very well written! And nice job on the run! Hills are a beast!
LikeLike
Well done on fighting the treadmill demons!
LikeLike
Well, you did HILLS on a treadmill!? there is your problem. I think they are always sooo much harder on those than they are in real life.
At least you didn't fall on your face/ass/hands? Been there, done that.
LikeLike
If only there were downhills on the treadmill! It sounds like a lot of us are getting stuck on the treadmill for speed or other work that is easier to track on the treadmill. It sucks, but it will be good in the end, right?
LikeLike
Good work! Anything over three on the TM makes me cringe.
LikeLike