Dreadmill days

John Runs

On the days when he is on call and cannot run up in the cool and lovely mountains, the Dreadmill calls. The endless loop of continuous monotony, the hamster wheel to nowhere, the run that lasts forever but was really 27 minutes of pure belt thumping torture. The real name for this machine of misery is the Treadmill.

Created by an English engineer named Sir William Cubitt, son of a miller, Treadwheels and later, Treadmills were made for PUNISHMENT. Noting idle prisoners at Bury St Edmunds gaol, he proposed using their muscle power to both cure their idleness and produce useful work. Hence, they were installed in 1818.

A little bit of history for those amused by interesting tidbits. According to RetroScience: The Surprising Origin Story of the Treadmill Seandor Szeles

“Prisoners were forced to climb the spokes of a large paddle wheel known as the “eternal staircase.” The resulting energy was used to pump water or crush grain (hence, the eventual transition from “treadwheel” to “treadmill”).

One prison guard claimed that it was the treadmill’s “monotonous steadiness, and not its severity, which constitutes its terror.”

The use of treadwheels was abolished in Britain by the Prisons Act of 1898. Years later, when aerobic exercise became popular in the 1960’s, the treadmill resurfaced. Now, we pay monthly fees to access the contraptions and even turn them into desks.”

Now seriously, The treadmill is not THAT bad as long as you can distract yourself. TV, books (audio or paper) a really interesting picture or an absolutely fascinating inner monologue.. The drive to maintain fitness and reach your goal can get you through some pretty brutal workouts.

The Treadmill for long runs is not the first choice of most runners, where the great out doors may be hot and sunny with the occasional breeze, the workout room is enclosed with moderate AC that will leave you dripping and wiped. ( I know, I wash the laundry and the gym clothes are far nastier than the salt encrusted “I ran through the mountain meadows” clothes)

To those who do climb on board the treadmill everyday and tick off the miles, I tip my hat. You have to be committed to yourself and your fitness and that is admirable, keep on keeping on!

To those of you who would rather run in a monsoon or 3 feet of snow, John gets it, he feels the same way.

Dreadmill or trail, John will use both. He may definitely have a preference but that doesn’t stop him from racking up the miles either way. 405 and counting!