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Just found this question. I am a 53 yo ultra-runner and have been running 10-20 miles per day for the past few years all on a treadmill. Sometimes I'll run 13- 15 miles at one time, other days I'll run a 7 and an 8 in 2 sessions. Ill run 20 at a time(about 3 1/2 hours) about once a week. I usually average 5-7mph with occasional 8-10mph speedwork. I also walk about 10% of the time. It's all good! It really helps me and calms my nerves. I figure out problems and strategies while on the treadmill. I've never fallen off despite the 4,000 plus miles I put in a year. I've been through 3 or 4 treadmills at my gym. I tend to perspire heavily and have rusted out a few motors. With all this said I don't think running is a very good weight reducer as I eat 2600 cals/day and still weigh the same 170lbs(I'm 5'8"). It does help with my resting heart rate of about 40 when I wake up in the morning. If I skip a day I can't sit still. You probably ask how I can do this and not be bored. A few years back I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus and have a right frontal lobe brain injury as a result. I hardly know the difference between running 30 minutes or 3 hours, it's over before I know it and then can get on with my day.
I am NOT a runner (I have recently worked up to a slow jog on the treadmill), and do a couple of miles a day at a slow pace (I don't really go any faster than 4 miles an hour). It will be a while before I'm doing even five miles, let alone ten miles, and I probably wouldn't do that many on a treadmill anyway. I combine this activity with weight training and yoga and pilates, and while I notice some weight loss (nothing really noteworthy, just a few pounds here and there), what I really have noticed is a vast change in muscle tone, and have dropped clothing sizes as a result of this even though my weight hasn't changed dramatically. Apparently, my appearance has, though. I have seen my endurance skyrocket, too (serious runners are saying, "What kind of endurance do you need to run a couple of miles at a slow jog," I know, but I used to not be able to run for even a couple of minutes and sustain it).
I don't get bored on the treadmill, because I'm always either listening to music or reading on my nook while I'm doing it. I run slowly enough that this works.
I'm an avid runner and have been using the treadmill for years, as a supplement to my outdoor running. I don't do as many miles on it as you do, though. Right now I'm logging about 20 miles a week total, and about half of it is on the mill. Unlike alot of runners--who call it the "dreadmill", I never thought it was that boring, and I especially like how it causes less stress on my knees, which need all the lovin' I can give 'em after 20 years of organized baseball.
Today it was 95 degrees here and I did a five-mile trail run which kicked my butt good and made me wish I woulda been on the mill in the a/c!!
I run 50-60 miles a week and for the past 15 years have run 90% of my miles on the treadmill. I prefer it to outdoor running for many reasons: it's easier on the knees, I don't have to worry about snow, heat or wind.. it's all good! I have the treadmill in front of the TV and put in DVD's of movies or sports events and time usually goes by fairly quickly.
I know a lot of people call it "The Dreadmill," but unless I'm running more than 12 miles at a time, I love it.
If with a partner, and not doing weights that day, I prefer running outdoors. If alone, I prefer the treadmill. I typically run about 4 miles in 30 minutes and do that 2-3 times a week, and then do about 1-2 mile warm up the other 3-4 days.
Interesting I just found this 2 year old thread and you are the OP yet still tossed in a recent post. Why have you dropped your mileage?
I find it much easier to put the treadmill incline all the way up to its highest setting (15 degrees), setting the speed to just shy of running (4.3), like as in power walking, then do less miles....usually about 3 miles. I can burn 700 calories in 40 minutes rather then taking well over an hour doing no incline and slow speed to burn the same 700 calories. The high incline also works on the balls of your feet muscles too which improves my polka step and any other dancing for that matter.
I am doing 5 miles/day Mon-Fri on the treadmill. I do it in 45 mins. As long as I stick to it I lose weight like clockwork. However my toenails aren't liking it. Two of them are purple and will eventually fall off.
Interesting I just found this 2 year old thread and you are the OP yet still tossed in a recent post. Why have you dropped your mileage?
I find it much easier to put the treadmill incline all the way up to its highest setting (15 degrees), setting the speed to just shy of running (4.3), like as in power walking, then do less miles....usually about 3 miles. I can burn 700 calories in 40 minutes rather then taking well over an hour doing no incline and slow speed to burn the same 700 calories. The high incline also works on the balls of your feet muscles too which improves my polka step and any other dancing for that matter.
I, too, find that setting the incline high works MUCH better for blasting calories than increasing my pace does. I try all kinds of combos, but a higher incline, slower speed seems to be a real blaster for me.
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