wonder of treadmill

[Atsuko]

It's snowing like crazy in Revy.  I love snow but it also means that I need to do more treadmill workouts.  I got on the treamill a few times recently and it always amazes me about how difficult running gets.  I feel like I'm working hard and looking at my HR monitor, I am working hard but it doesn't match up with my speed. If I run according to my HR,  I'm depressingly much more slower than outside. Does this happen to anyone?  Time also freezes on treadmill.  I have music on but 30 minutes of running feels like forever. and I found myself constantly looking at time elapsed.  Does anyone know how to make treadmill running more fun and enjoyable?   

[Daniel Auger]

Treadmills and bike trainers get lots of usage here in the north. Winter arrives sooner and stays longer than many other places in the country.  No doubt that it can get boring fast. To make it more interesting, you can cut your running time in shorter segments by inserting short bike sessions.  At the gym, I watch the TV sometimes but I came to realize that it distracts my brain from the running and makes me less efficient. If I do not pay attention to the TV and focus on my breathing, cadence and posture, my HR improves, I get more efficient and running becomes more enjoyable. Now for me running on the treadmill includes training my brain to stay focus to the task and try to avoid outside distractions.  I don’t even wear an I-Pod. Those are conditions that you will race into anyway. Better get used to it now.

[Andrew]

Great comments form Daniel, who is our EESS coach in Yellowknife. I agree with his comments. We often do long trainer sessions at home and then mix in 10-20 minute run sessions every hour, to mix it up a bit. We will include these types of sessions into the training plan as the winter progresses.

Atsuko, thanks for pointing out some of the challenges of training in the snowy North. I actually believe it is what makes Canadians fast at International races.

[GinnySellars]

My suggestion is to EMBRACE WINTER! Replace the longer runs with snowshoeing or xc skiing. Do only short runs on the treadmill, focussing on run form, and quick cadence, since it's often difficult to keep cadence up outside in the snow. Make your shorter interval runs on the treadmill, and enjoy the wonderful trails of Revelstoke when you can.

I like Daniel's suggestion to mix it up with bike. At the gym, I usually mix it up with stairs and eliptical too. Keep the "level" very low, so that you can work on leg speed.
Good luck!