Sanity on the treadmill...

Some people do speedwork on the TM. Others do long runs or tempo runs. I will be the same way when running outside is an option. But...if you have no choice as to running in or outside, you've got to keep yourself motivated. If I bust my chops doing a 5-mile tempo run at LT pace on the TM, I know I'll have psychological troubles getting on the thing for an easy run. It never seems easy to run over 40 minutes on a treadmill to me. The time is too dilated.
My solution?....doing progressive runs each and every day.
An example:
Mile 1 @ 930/mile
Mile 2@ 840/mile
Mile 3@ 830/mile
Mile 4@ 800/mile
mile 5@ 800/mile
mile 6@ 740/ mile
mile 7@ 720/ mile
cool @ 840/ mile for .3 miles

Some days I'll go easy and never exceed 8:00 pace. Others, I'll go the last 3 at 6:20-6:40 pace. Typically, the average pace is around 8:20, including the first 2 miles, or 7:50 without them. But I'm never so fatiqued that I can't face the thought of hitting the tread the next day. I go 8-10 one day but that's it. I go loco if I'm on the thing too long. Of course I'm doing base training at 50-55 mpw.

Today, I did the above workout while watching the blowing snow out the window. But long runs and a good Tempo run are important. But I'll save that for outdoors.

I don't like this routine, but it's the best for my legs and mind. I listen to my Rock or Jazz CDs burned specifically to be heard over the motor. For what it's worth, I feel fairly race ready for a HM or less based on these miles. It beats running on ice!