How To Make Treadmill Runs Enjoyable!
Happy Friday friends! I hope you had a wonderful week. Our week was a bit hectic at our household. Snowflake (our pup) had a routine dental cleaning on Wednesday but she was struggling a bit when the anesthesia began wearing off. I stayed by her side on Thursday and she’s finally feeling like herself! My husband hates the dentist and I think Snowflake is following in his footsteps! Luckily, she’s all good and we’re all ready for the weekend!
Disclaimer: I received an Zwift Foot Pod to review as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!
I was recently spoiled with a Peloton Treadmill but I know not everyone has the budget for a treadmill like that. Heck, I think most people believe the word treadmill is a swear word! However, it can come in handy when time is short or the weather is not on your side. Treadmill runs can seem to drag on when you don’t have a plan to make it enjoyable. Here are a few tips to get that workout in without being bored out of your mind!
Plan An Intricate Workout
Whether it’s traveling or weather, having a workout written up specifically for the treadmill makes it more enjoyable. While some people can set the speed and incline and zone out, I know others can’t. Having set intervals with changes in speed and incline will keep your mind engaged. It will also make time fly by. You’ll finish your workout and those miles will feel like a breeze!
Watch A TV Show/Read
I’ve been guilty of watching an episode of Law & Order SVU on the treadmill at the gym and gasping out loud. I’m sure people looked at me crazy but it definitely kept me running! I needed to see what happened! There are some people who won’t recommend watching TV or reading while running because you can lose awareness of your running form. I would say mix it up and only do this a few times. Check on your running form throughout your run and you will be fine!
Run with Zwift
This is probably my favorite option! Zwift is a platform where you can run virtually with other runners in a new location every day! Zwift originally started as a platform for cyclist but has integrated runners as well! You can download the free Zwift app to your phone/table/laptop and connect to a treadmill, smart shoe, or foot pod! Check out this page to see if you have any of the compatible treadmills. I received a foot pod to try out and it was awesome!
I will admit that I wasn’t sure if I could join in on the phone because I have an Android phone. However I was so happy to find out their Android app is in beta testing! You are able to download it and enjoy the fun with all the iOS users! It took a second to pair my phone but once I let the Zwift app have Bluetooth permissions, it picked up the foot pod! The foot pod is available through Zwift and you can easily attach it to your sneakers. Once you calibrate it and build your avatar, you are good to go! You can start your run in the world of the day and run alongside other runners and cyclists.
It’s so neat to be able to see your avatar moving along the path on your phone. It’s also cool because Zwift hosts events throughout the week. They have a Saturday Long Run, Monday Run Club, and Workout Wednesday. It’s not uncommon to hop onto these runs and be joined by a bunch of runners from all over the world!
Zwift does have a code so you can receive 15% off your foot pod purchase. You can use code BibRave15 at check out. However this code is good for only the first 1000 pods so act fast! I do know that some winter runs happen on the treadmill due to necessity. Why not get yourself a foot pod and make your treadmill runs enjoyable by joining others virtually?
Have you ever used Zwift?
