For most runners, hitting the treadmill very definitely falls into the category of ‘Plan C’. When it comes to running, we’d all much rather the picture we have in our heads of running along an amazing stretch of coastline, along a mountain trail or through the countryside: that is Plan A. But as we live in reality, most of the time we settle for Plan B: a run round the block or a couple of laps of the local park (probably in the rain if you live in the UK).
When the weather doesn’t play ball – like it isn’t for some of you in the US right now (Hi New Yorkers), Plan C is put into action: hitting the treadmill in the gym. The trade-off for being in a climate-controlled environment and staying dry is that you basically have to run on the spot.
Why then, would someone put a treadmill in a park? The decision to exercise outside has been made, the battle of getting out the door and putting on the old trainers has been won, you’ve made it to the park – and yet you’d decide to run on the spot? Show me a person that would do this?
Clearly such people exist. Two, at least: one has designed exhibit A, the treadmill that sits in the park by my flat, and the other works for Southwark Council and decided it was a good idea to intall this. I’m all for exercise being free and taking away the cost of exercising, but the park is free, running is free we don’t need a treadmill in the park. And instead of encouraging people to exercise more, I fear that attempting to run on these rollers would put people off the sport. I tried it and nearly fell on my arse.
Maybe I’m misunderstanding this. Maybe I’m being too narrow-minded in my view of treadmills – maybe treadmills deserve the park too. We might moan about having to use treadmills but should we not spare a thought for them? They have to endure hours of sweating runners pounding away on them, often while listening to bad dance music or watching ‘Loose Women’ on the TV. They never get to compete in races or feel the fresh air on their belt. They just get you, me, and that really sweaty guy dripping on them.
But this little treadmill had a dream. It didn’t want to break a world record, or break a four-hour barrier – it dreamed of breaking out of the gym and seeing the park! And by some amazing feat of escapism (I’m thinking ‘Shawshank Redemption’ but with a treaddy) he did it. Let’s celebrate him! But really – don’t try running on it.