Ep 99: The Treadmill Isn't the Problem. Perfectionism Is. Why Waiting for Perfect Running Conditions Is Holding You Back, with Dr. Michelle Quirk of Mindful Marathon

Have you ever finished a treadmill run feeling like it somehow didn't "count"?

Maybe you've told yourself you should have gone outside. Maybe you've wondered if choosing the treadmill was taking the easy way out.

In this episode of the Mindful Marathon Podcast, I'm challenging that belief.

After hearing several athletes apologize for running on the treadmill, I realized we weren't really talking about treadmills at all. We were talking about perfectionism, all-or-none thinking, and the stories we tell ourselves when life doesn't go according to plan.

If you're a busy professional trying to balance work, family, and training, this episode is a reminder that consistency is what gets you to the starting line.

In this episode, we'll discuss:

Why so many runners feel guilty choosing the treadmill

The hidden perfectionism behind "I should have run outside"

Why your body adapts to effort

How the treadmill can be one of the smartest tools in your training toolbox

Why consistency matters far more than perfect conditions

The cost of waiting for the "right" time to train