How to Run on a Treadmill Without Dying of Boredom

First, an update on the girls.  They were up sick most of the night last night.  Libby was crying with a headache and running a low grade fever.  Kyndall was crying with her throat, and actually started throwing up (again) around 2am.  What is it about kids that make them be deathly sick during the night, and then fine as can be in the mornings?  I mean, not that I want my kids to be sick, but some consistency would be nice.  Sick, not sick.  Help me out here.  There is nothing worse than going to the doctors office, waiting 2 hours (at least), paying the outrageous copay, only to be told its "just a virus."  Am I right?

I was fairly certain K had strep, again.  I'm not sure what is going on with Libby, but I might as well get her checked out, too.  This is what happens when you have 2 sick girls, who do not know they are sick, and the doctor can't see you until 11.

The West girls are pretty awesome at some Jenga :)

After a somewhat short wait, and the outrageous copay, it was just a virus.   Money in the trash, right there.  I guess I should just be grateful that it wasn't anything serious.  Always look for the positive :)

And now on to more important things......

How to Run On A Treadmill Without Dying of Boredom

Being a southern runner, who is also a mom, I do a large part of my training on the treadmill.  (I'm not sure if you are familiar with the humidity in Alabama, but it's killer.)  I struggled with major boredom for a long time while running on the treadmill, but now I actually enjoy it.  It's definitely not the same as running outdoors, but it is convenient when it's your only way to run.

1. Read a magazine.  This is actually my least favorite, but it works.  Not only does it sidetrack your mind from being bored, but it covers up the data screen.  I don't let myself look until I've finished the whole magazine, and I'm usually presently surprised.  The reason this is my least favorite is because I have to turn the pages more.  It's more difficult to keep my stride when I'm turning the pages every few seconds.

2.  Read a book.  Also covers the screen and I don't let myself look until I've finished a chapter.  Turning pages isn't really an issue because all I have to do is tap the screen for the page to turn.  Gotta love the Kindle :)  I've heard a lot of people say that it's hard to read while they run, and I've decided these people must be really bouncy runners.  I have no issue with it, even when I increase my speed to a near sprint.

3.  Watch Netflix.  Or Youtube.  Or Hulu.  Or whatever digital streaming device you have.  This is one of my favorites, but I have a hard time stopping.  Oh, I might stop running after an episode, but I can't stop watching after one episode.  Hello, Gossip Girl and your 7 seasons.  The great thing about this is that 30-min, or 45-min depending on what you are watching, seems to fly by when you are zoned into a good show.

4.  Switch it up.  I have two go-to workouts on the treadmill that I use when I'm not doing one of the above.  The constant clock watching and pace/incline changing make the time go by quickly.  Here are two routines I use often:

Do you run on a treadmill?  

What are your tips?