An Ode to the Treadmill and Trainer: Warm Fuzzy Feelings from Winter Indoor Training

Feisty writer Miranda Brush reminds us why indoor training can be a useful and welcome reprieve from frozen fingers, and help us develop mental fortitude, patience and resilience.

By: Miranda Bush 

January 6, 2021

I have lived in Wisconsin my whole life. When I travel outside of the United States people often ask, “Is that in Canada?” No, but it is very close. Typically followed up with, “Is it really cold there?” Yes, it can get very cold here. But, we still train. Year-round runners bundle up to run outside, as long as it is not icy, or temperatures don’t drop below zero degrees Fahrenheit. Most triathletes head to the bike trainer when it regularly stays below 30-40 degrees. 

Many athletes stubbornly fight using the treadmill and trainer as tools, some even running or riding in dangerous and often miserable conditions. They might associate staying in with having a weak will. Or maybe their top priority with training is spending time outdoors, and not worth it if not the case. Whatever the reason, I wonder if when they look at the oft nicknamed “dreadmill” they see a dark demon with a maniacal laugh. Use of a trainer or stationary bike is a little more widely accepted. But, many still see it as a dangerous harlot that lures you into shorts and Netflix versus frozen fingers, a wind burnt face, and a drippy nose.

When I look at the treadmill I don’t see the dark demon. I see the coziness and generosity of an old friend. The trainer gives me the same warm feels. I am not angry with these objects and I don’t avoid them at all costs. They have provided opportunities for me even when training circumstances were and are not ideal. 

I am grateful. 

I decided in 2007 that I would start a process toward competing in the 2009 Ironman Wisconsin triathlon. At the time I could not swim more than a lap or run more than one mile. I owned a hybrid bike that had a trailer hooked to it to pull my young kids. I sought out mentors that helped me lay out generic plan (via the legendary Hal Higdon) to get me to my official/coached training starting in the spring of 2009. I set forth to train for my first half marathon, my first race ever. 

As a stay-at-home mom of three little kids with a husband who worked long hours, my training options were limited. I ran outside at 4am or on the gym treadmill while my kids played in the daycare. I finished the half marathon and started on phase two of my plan—training for and running a marathon. My circumstances hadn’t changed and therefor my training options hadn’t either. I ran outside for most of my long runs. But when I didn’t run outside, I ran on the treadmill. 

I completed a 19-mile run on the treadmill in this training cycle. 19 FREAKIN MILES. It was sweaty and long, but it was honestly not miserable. At the time in my raw newness it didn’t even occur to me to be anything other than grateful. I was thankful for the opportunity to train even while in the throes of parenting. I was thankful that my husband supported prioritizing a gym membership within our very small household budget. I was thankful for my body. I was thankful that the playroom staff gave me extra time that day to take an uninterrupted shower after my run. 

I was thankful for the treadmill. 

During and before logging these extra-long training sessions on the ‘tread’ I would run with my good friend, Kara. Kara is a feisty, strong, amazing female force. She was one of my most influential mentors even though our friendship started, bloomed, and mostly stayed on those treadmills. Each week we chatted small, surface stories to deep, meaningful thoughts on self-care and love. Kara taught me a lot about the importance of loving and accepting myself, not suffering in guilt and worry, and living in the present moment. We were different runners with separate goals and varying paces, but we were blessed with the opportunity to run alongside each other for hours, thanks to the treadmill. 

In 2007 I also decided to start a very part time career in fitness. I certified as a personal trainer and Spinninginstructor and got a job teaching cycling classes at the gym. I fell in love instantly. The combination of the sweaty workout, the platform to entertain and encourage participants, and the fun of putting together a perfect playlist gave me a fulfilling break and purpose outside of home. 

I am thankful for those stationary bikes. For the connections that I could create with people of all abilities. For music giving us a pulse to our workout. For community. For purpose. 

The love of the connection and the joy of teaching cycling has stuck with me for almost fourteen years. When the pandemic hit and we were locked in our homes I was able to reconnect with people through teaching Zoom cycling. We still look forward to 8am on Tuesdays to connect in our new normal. We are all different riders— in our backgrounds, how we look, our ages, our abilities, our political and religious beliefs, and how we are managing this unique year. But, we are connected in the moment.  

I am grateful that we can all be in different places yet be together.  

After many races and working in the fitness industry for years I decided that I would become a USA Triathlon coach. My good friend Kelly and I created a local team and we have been racing as Zone Racing since 2014. Our team has trained on the bike together in winter months through the use of stationary bikes to wind trainers, to utilizing a local facility with smart trainers for all. I believe I speak for all of us in having enormous amounts of gratitude for the equipment that allows for weekly training camaraderie through the long and dark Wisconsin winters. Making our bikes stationary equalizes pace and takes emphasis off the bike itself. Everyone can encourage and challenge each other. 

We are grateful to train together. 

If you let it, using the treadmill and trainer can also give you opportunities to learn practical training and racing lessons. It doesn’t matter if you are on a $50 hybrid from Walmart or a $10,000 aerodynamic triathlon machine. And all you need is a treadmill with a belt that helps you move in place. Then you can fully focus on training the engine— your own strong body. You can hammer out an intentional focused workout without the stress of slippery sidewalks or whizzing cars. Or hills. Or wind. 

Training in place also has potential to help you build up your mental fortitude. It provides chances to practice patience and resilience. You can learn how to be uncomfortable, or how to accept circumstances that are not perfect, or that are out of your control. You can be encouraged that you are still, very authentically, getting work done toward your goals. 

We can all think a little differently this year about our training and be thankful for all of the opportunities we have. Focus on gratitude. Approach using the tools with more acceptance and less anger. Find joy in the benefits. Letting go of shame when opting to stay in.

At times let yourself be wooed to opportunity, camaraderie, focus, connection, a controlled environment and practiced determination. 

Enjoy your training. Wear the shorts and watch some Netflix. 

Be grateful.

*****