Saturday morning started with a 7 mile treadmill run. Since I am not used to the cold and snow, the idea of a distance run in the 25 degree weather was just not one I wanted to entertain.

While I was hammering out the miles (though not nearly as many as someone I know), I couldn’t help but think about how running treadmill distance is a lot like a road trip.

1. You make sure you use the bathroom before you start. Heaven forbid you have to make an unexpected potty break while trying to make good time (to a destination, or to a set distance). Especially when the pause button only lasts 45 seconds!

2. Everything has it’s place. It’s all about organization and being able to access what you need (maps, water, ipods, directions) right when you need it.

3. There are snacks! Road trip snacks are from a gas station and usually salty and chip related. Distance treadmill snacks are also salty, but more GU like.

4. You do whatever you can to stay entertained. Both involve podcasts and playlist, but on the treadmill you have a TV while on road trips you are trying to find all 50 states on license plates.

5. You do whatever you can to avoid looking at the time/distance. On the treadmill, throwing a towel over the odometer and time does the trick. On the road, you try to look every where else but the clock and odometer.

6. There is a lot of stretching when you stop. Road trippers stretch their backs and legs when they emerge from the car. Distance treadmill runners do the same once they step off.

RQ: What’s your best road trip and/or treadmill running story? Do you have any to add?

Brooke Selb

I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.