I’d order a Walkstation.
Seriously, the human body wasn’t made to sit around like a sloth, we’re meant to move. And while a treadmill desk wouldn’t be a substitute for running since you’d have to go so slow all day, it just sounds like a really desirable way to spend a work day. I hate sitting in my desk chair all day.
But the desk does cost thousands of dollars, more than I have to throw around on my home office right now. Thus I may have to look into getting a SurfShelf, it is a platform to hold your laptop on the treadmill. While I couldn’t do all of my work on just a laptop (I need my dual monitors!) and I can’t imagine doing anything productive on the computer when you’re moving at a good clip, I could definitely take an hour break from the regular workspace to answer e-mails via my laptop while walking on my treadmill. That seems like it would be an ideal way to break up my day a little. Plus I spend plenty of time sitting on my butt reading and writing blogs after work hours… why not get a little bit of movement in while I do that?
Of course, my treadmill is a scary piece of equipment. I did my run yesterday on it and once again it was changing incline and speed at its own whim. I turned the incline all the way down to zero and it was still very obviously at a high incline. I finished my run feeling like I wanted to hurl. I was laying on the floor all sweaty and red-faced, chatting with people on Facebook via my iPhone when my husband got home from work. I think he was a little surprised to find me laying there like that, but the dreadmill kicked my butt! (It also took him stepping on it to get the incline to drop back down to normal, apparently it needed a more manly force to behave.)
Tonight I was supposed to run with my friends like I usually do on Tuesday nights, but about 10 minutes before I should have left the power went out at my house. It was sooooo dark, I couldn’t see anything. I stumbled around, using my phone as a light until I found some candles and a flashlight. The power was out for a solid 2 hours. Since it takes power to open my garage door and the gate to my community, I skipped the run. So now I’m switching up my schedule and going to run early tomorrow morning. It’s supposed to be in the low 30’s, so I’m not looking forward to being cold, but I need to get out there!
Jill Will Run 
You can always get a wireless mouse/keyboard and put them on the surfshelf, that way you wouldn’t have to give up your dual monitors. That would also make you the coolest runner/geek out there!!!
Oh Jill, you’re going to become a morning runner like me – yay!! Before you know it, you’ll be warm and cozy running, it just may take about 5-10 minutes, and then really, in about 2-3 months, it’ll be really hot where you are. I love knowing how much I’ve accomplished before I even get in the car for the first time to drive to work, every day.
Ok, but that’s weird that you have basically a poltergeist in your treadmill!
theAlien: That’s an idea, except my treadmill isn’t in my office, so the dual monitors would be in a different room! But I could still get the wireless keyboard & mouse and just pretend to work!
Terri: I ran at 4:30 all summer long and I loved it. I guess I need less sleep during the summer months anyway. But the winter hit and all the sudden getting out of bed in the dark and cold became my kryptonite!
I’d never looked at is like a poltergeist, but that’s awesome. Maybe it’s a running coach poltergeist and that’s why it keeps upping the incline!
too funny about the treadmill. i’m glad it didn’t throw you off the back or anything. these treadmill workstations are a great idea, i wish the company i work for would buy some. there sure are plenty of people in the office who could use a little time walking….
I love the walkstation! Of course I know my boss will totally laugh at the idea, but I’m going to show it to him tomorrow. He and I both could benefit (not to mention the rest of the building).
And 30 degrees is nothing. SG and I ran that tonight and loved it! It was great! Nothing like fresh air to get you going. Have fun!
I totally agree–we weren’t meant to be this sedentary. I hate having a desk job and really want one of those walking work stations.
http://www.seejessrun.com
I love the walkstation. It gives new meaning to the phrase “thinking on your feet”. I don’t have a walkstation, but I do have a treadmill next to my desk. I’ve been known to take the occasional 10 minute run break in lieu of calling my boss to quit. I also pace around the room during teleconferences.
Hi Jill, thanks so much for mentioning the SurfShelf in your post! What a great unexpected treat!
If any of your readers are interested in getting a SurfShelf, I just set up a 10% discount code for your community. All you have to do is input “jill-will-run” in the “blog code” field in our shopping cart to get the discount. I am also extending our FREE SHIPPING promotion this week to you help you save some extra $$$.
Thanks again and have a great day!
Randy