Life After Diets

How Not to Lose Your Mind on the Treadmill

Tips and tricks for those boring indoor runs this winter

Photo by chuttersnap on Unsplash

Back in November, as I watched in awe while the runners of the New York City Marathon made their way through my neighborhood, I was overcome by an unfortunately familiar feeling. I was inspired.

I grew up in Brooklyn, so I’ve seen this stretch of the course almost every year for the last 32 years. Still, it never stops being impressive and inspiring, particularly if you’re a runner yourself. Knowing the work and sacrifice that went into every mile run that day is overwhelming and beautiful and a reminder that ordinary people can accomplish truly amazing and breathtakingly foolish things if they set their minds to it.

I’ve never run the New York City Marathon, and I’m not sure I want to. Still, in the haze of motivation that inevitably follows me for days after, I decided to enter the lottery for the New York City Half Marathon, a far more manageable goal. And, the lottery odds weren’t exactly in my favor, so entering didn’t quite feel like a commitment.

But, a few weeks later, while on vacation, I got the unexpected email (and simultaneous credit card charge), letting me know that I had been accepted into the race. There’s nothing like being on…