Mental Block - Why cant I run on a treadmill?
Question:
Why is this? It's not a problem, as I run to the gym and back, but it just bugs me as of course, running in the winter isnt the nicest sport!
Thanks in advance.
Answers:
Try doing some of the programs to vary the intensity. I find it very difficult to just run at a constant pace on a treadmill, it is just not a natural feeling. On the road your pace changes constantly and this is the feeling your body is used to.
I don't use one very often but the thing I think they are best for is intervals. You can set a known pace for one or two minutes which is much easier than trying to run fast on the road in varying conditions.
It might be because when you run outside it's easy to keep your mind on what's going on around you and you have a destination. On a treadmill, you only have your thoughts and you are really going nowhere. Try listening to some music or watching TV while on the treadmill.
Even my little furry hamster can run on his treadmill, well running wheel which is much the same thing. Just what kinda man are you? Panic stricken? I think you should sit down and have a long deep and meaningful with my little hammy.
That'll put some hairs on your chest and make a man of you
because running on a treadmill is boring :) i have the same problem.
I get like that on the treadmill because I'm simply bored on it.
Watch the TV or listen to music. I usually do about 15-20k on the treadmill and it's all down to focusing on the music or the telly.
Are you taking it at a pace that's too fast, slow up a bit and see if that helps.
I can walk really fast on mine but I cannot run, I think it's because you haven't enough space or breadth.
I agree; treadmill training is totally different from road training! I think part of it may the boredom factor. when you are out on the road, there are so amy things to see and be aware of, you don't feel the time passing, and you have miles done before you realise it.
On the treadmill, even with an iPod or walkman on, it feels like you are running on the spot, which of course you are - there is no sense of covering ground!
Running as a sport is very psychological and you have a block with running on the treadmill, it could very well be that you have nothing to focus on so you are "thinking inwards", this over concentration on you and your body and your feeling could be knocking off your breathing rhythm. You could try listening to music and really concentrate on the music so you subconsciously fall back into your nature rhythm. Or you could try varying your training by altering the speed and incline at intervals throughout your running.
I have this problem too and music helps but strangely when I find I am "loosing it" I start to count in my head - up to 50 and back down again then up to 100 in 7's. Its mental (quite literally!) but its all about breaking the wrong thought process.
Hope that makes sense?!
Best of Luck...
its probably coz you know your not going to get anywhere so you're sub-consciously telling urself to stop coz whats the point in running if youre not going someplace!?
I was only talking about this last night with friends, that i can run for miles on a treadmill but i cant run 20 steps outside, mind you having a lot of fit men running either side of me helped. I think i'll join again thinking about it lol
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