Long runs are a staple of endurance training, but what happens when the weather refuses to cooperate? When Toronto got hit with another 20+ cm of snow (on top of the last round), I had a choice—skip my scheduled 80-minute easy run or take it indoors. Like many runners in winter climates, I reluctantly turned to the treadmill. The challenge wasn’t just the distance. It was the distance on the ‘dreadmill.’
I knew I had to approach this run differently. Eighty minutes of staring at a screen, watching gym-goers come and go, or obsessing over the clock didn’t seem like a great strategy. So, I decided to break it into three segments of 27 minutes each, with a 1:30 step-down interval in between. This gave me small mental checkpoints to focus on—manageable chunks rather than one overwhelming block of time.
And it worked. Marvelously.
By reframing the run this way, I stayed engaged and in control. Each segment felt like its own mini-run, allowing me to mentally reset, hydrate, and check in with my effort. I found a steady rhythm, and surprisingly, there were moments where I didn’t even notice the movement of the treadmill beneath my feet. Instead of counting down the minutes, I was simply running.
This session reinforced a valuable lesson: mental strategy matters as much as physical endurance. When faced with a long treadmill run, breaking it into smaller segments can make it more manageable and even enjoyable. Whether it’s 80 minutes or 180, giving yourself structured check-ins can make all the difference.
I won’t say I’ve fallen in love with the treadmill, but today, it proved its worth. And when the next storm hits? I’ll be ready.