NatNews

Sometimes referred to as the “dreadmill,” the treadmill is often seen as a source of monotony and frustration for runners. After all, anyone who hops on it is about to embark on a journey that features no change of scenery and can make minutes and miles feel agonizingly long.

However, Dallas resident Paige Ryder, whose longest treadmill run is 16 miles, said that running on this controversial machine can sometimes be beneficial, particularly when seeking consistency or when outdoor conditions aren’t ideal.

“Running on the treadmill helps you keep yourself at a target pace, which is very helpful for marathon training,” she said. “It also helps when the weather isn’t great, especially in the summer.”

While training for marathons, local runner and Brooks ambassador Carolyn Macduff has seen a number of benefits of treadmill running, including improving mental toughness, figuring out fueling, working on running form, and becoming more comfortable running alone. She recently completed a 20-mile run on the treadmill, something she does in each marathon training cycle.

“Honestly, these treadmill long runs are where I find my mantras for race day,” Macduff said. “I have to embrace the uncomfortable, so why not start on the mill? I also break up my treadmill runs into sections: 60 minutes, 60 minutes, 45 minutes.”

But not everyone opts for such a positive outlook regarding this notorious exercise machine. Dallas-area resident and Brooks ambassador Kyle Burnett prefers to avoid the treadmill and only use it if absolutely necessary, mainly when adverse weather prevents him from running outside.

“I hate running on treadmills,” he said. “I feel like it disrupts my gait and cadence.”

And he’s not alone in those feelings. Ryder also said that, in addition to creating a bit of a dull vibe, running on the treadmill also negatively impacts aspects of her running form.

“I think the disadvantages of the treadmill are that it’s so boring and can mess with your stride,” Ryder said. “I have tried to do speed workouts on the treadmill, and I find my knees end up being very sensitive afterward.”

In order to combat the boredom factor Ryder mentioned, many runners find ways to occupy their minds so that they forget they are running however many miles to nowhere. Whether that includes playing games, reading, listening to audio books or podcasts, jamming out to Taylor Swift’s new album (or whatever music one prefers), racing the people next to them, or varying the speed levels to keep things interesting, different strategies often help individuals battle the mental fatigue that these loved and hated machines can cause.

“I have to distract myself if I go on the treadmill,” Ryder said. “I always watch a movie or TV to keep me entertained. I would probably not go on it at all if it was just music.”

Tyson makes more than 1 million pounds of corn dogs every day at its Fort Worth plant.

Halloween is a week behind us, which means that the time has come for an annual occurrence that leaves people singing with glee in their voices or covering their ears with real or feigned annoyance—trees and lights are going up, and Mariah Carey is about to dominate the holiday scene as “All I Want for Christmas” plays essentially everywhere speakers exist.

As the years have progressed, holiday decorations have begun making their way to retail displays and in people’s homes earlier and earlier. While many businesses, individuals, and families used to wait until after Thanksgiving to bust out the green and red everything, it’s not uncommon to see the halls decked as soon as the sun rises the day after Halloween. While some people throughout the metroplex think early November is a bit premature for Buddy the Elf’s favorite holiday to hit the scene, others can’t wait to see candy canes and extravagant lights galore.

“It’s never too early,” Dallas-area resident and speech-language pathologist Morgan Fritz said. “Christmas decor brings a lot of joy and makes the whole season feel longer.”

However, people like Dallas resident and engineer Jack Finn think there is an appropriate time for the Christmas season officially to begin.

“Anything before Thanksgiving is way too early,” he said. “After Thanksgiving is acceptable, but I prefer two weeks prior to Christmas to get started. Let’s enjoy each holiday for what it is.”

Dallas-area resident and middle school English teacher Stephanie Hone, on the other hand, said that there’s no definitive time when an appreciation for the holiday season can be put on display.

“There is no wrong or right answer,” she said. “Christmas decor is like love—when you know, you know.”

While Hone prefers for radio stations to wait until after Thanksgiving to play Christmas music, she said she plays it in her home as soon as the decorations are out. Local middle school instructional coach Madison Royal, however, opts to wait a little longer to listen to holiday tunes.

“Christmas music is my jam but not until December hits,” Royal, who traditionally puts up her Christmas decorations the day after Thanksgiving, said. “When I’m in the same month of celebration, let the countdown begin.”

But not everyone embraces seasonal songs. Dallas-area resident and IT specialist Josh Odegard, who thinks holiday decorations need to wait until Thanksgiving Day and finds it “unacceptable” that Home Depot and other stores had trees and additional Christmas decor out in late September this year, indicated that he’s likely not the person you want to DJ your next holiday party.

“I am absolutely not a fan of Christmas music,” Odegard said. “I don’t know why, but I think it has something to do with how, about 15 years ago, it started getting played earlier and earlier each year, and now you can already hear it starting in late November. No, sir—you wait your turn. If I turn the radio on and hear ‘All I Want For Christmas,’ I’m changing that station’s preset until January when they freeze Mariah Carey for another year.”

And unlike Hone and Fritz, who embrace “All I Want for Christmas” each time it’s played over the course of the next couple of months, Finn is on the same page as Odegard when it comes to the Queen of Christmas’ chart-topping hit.

“I’d rather listen to ‘Jingle Bell Rock,’” he said, “and that’s saying something.”

WEEKLY PHOTO OP

Wyatt + Doc Levanway love to snuggle

Tuesday, November 8: Election Day
Thursday, November 10: Holiday at the Arboretum begins
Friday, November 11: Veterans Day
Saturday, November 5: WRRC Saturday run at Taco Joint