I’ve reviewed the Peloton Tread+ more times than I can count, and I didn’t buy it casually. I bought it because I wanted to be able to speak honestly to runners about something many of us still resist: treadmill running can be just as effective as running outside.

That belief was reinforced again this week during my long run.

The workout on the calendar was a 12-mile long run. Nothing fancy. Easy effort. About 20–30 seconds slower than goal marathon pace. The kind of run you do at the end of a long training week when your legs are already carrying some fatigue. This is the type of run that builds durability, not fitness fireworks.

I ran the entire thing on the Peloton Tread+.

One of the biggest advantages of this treadmill is flexibility. There are multiple ways to approach a long run, depending on what you need mentally that day.

One option is stacking classes. You can line up several easy or endurance runs back-to-back and let the instructors guide you through the miles. That works well when you want structure and accountability.

This week, I went a different route. I set my iPad up on the treadmill and watched a new TV show while running. That part is simple. The important part is how I set up the run itself.

When running long on a treadmill, elevation matters. Flat miles can turn into lazy miles quickly. What I like about the Peloton Tread+ is the ability to control that easily.

I went into Scenic Run, selected “Just Run,” set a custom distance of 12 miles, and then chose a workout plan. I picked an endurance run programmed by Bex Gentry. That plan automatically builds in small changes in speed and incline throughout the run.

The treadmill gradually moves up and down, mimicking rolling hills. Nothing aggressive. Nothing spike-y. Just constant variation. That variation forces you to stay engaged, adjust your stride, and keep honest effort. It feels much closer to outdoor running than locking into one flat pace for two hours.

Another approach I’ve used before is race-specific. When I’m training for a particular marathon, I’ll download the course profile from Strava. I’ll print it or pull it up in front of me and manually adjust the treadmill incline to match the course as closely as possible. It isn’t perfect, but it trains your legs and your mind to expect what’s coming on race day.

Long runs on a treadmill can feel boring. That’s the reality. The solution isn’t pretending otherwise. The solution is smart distraction and smart intent.

TV helps. Structure helps. Mimicking the race you’re training for helps even more.

The takeaway from this run was simple: the work counts. Miles on the treadmill build the same engine, the same resilience, and the same confidence when done with purpose.

That belief doesn’t come from theory. It comes from years of running, indoors and out.