Things I Only Think About on Treadmills (That I Miss Now)

There’s something about the hum of a treadmill and the rhythm of my footsteps that turns my brain into a weird, wonderful thought machine. Since being sidelined with another knee injury, I’ve realized how much I miss not just the running—but the thinking that came with it.

On the treadmill, my mind would wander to the most random (and sometimes genius?) places:

• How did they come up with how long a second actually is?

• How many steps did I take this mile and why does it feel different from yesterday?

• What movie should I watch next weekend and will it make me cry in a good way?

• And worst of all—why did I just now remember the answer to that midterm question I blanked on hours ago?

Treadmill thoughts don’t always make sense, but they were mine. A quiet little mental world powered by motion. I’ll be back on that belt one day. Until then, I’ll be chasing those strange little thoughts from the couch.