This would be a virtual reality thingy with screens around the treadmill projecting real time views of scenery going by as if you were really there. You could pick city streets, country settings etc.
The trick is, you'd be able to adjust your actual to perceived speed ratio. At one setting for instance, if you jogged at 5 miles per hour the scenes would go by at 50 miles per hour (because you're Superman). 10 mph = 100 mph. If you sped up or slowed down the scenes would match your running only at an amplified rate. Running from zero to 100 mph in about 6 seconds would be quite a rush.
I think the exciting sensation of running faster than you actually are would encourage you to push yourself even more. Turn the speed up and run around the San Francisco bay in less than 7 minutes. Turn it up further and run coast to coast in an hour. Ever run on a people mover? That's the sensation you'd get.
Being able to pick from dozens of locations, you could go on "Superman" running tours around the world.-- doctorremulac3, Aug 04 2012 A seven minute run around the bay http://www.youtube....watch?v=g0BtcTfyBKo [doctorremulac3, Aug 04 2012] A more rural run http://www.youtube....watch?v=KOvseQjojJcYou'd need to shoot these with a steadycam though. This example is annoyingly shaky. [doctorremulac3, Aug 04 2012] Running at an incredible rate http://www.youtube....watch?v=_Q8HWXbTl3MFrom Dumb and Dumber [ytk, Aug 04 2012] Bun! [+] In fact, I rather imagine that two buns, pushed to this frenetic pace, would quickly burst into flames.
I'd pay to watch that...-- Grogster, Aug 04 2012 + For the link, and memories. Another + for the idea.-- blissmiss, Aug 04 2012 Reminds me of that scene from Dumb and Dumber.
Here's a bun (of steel).-- ytk, Aug 04 2012 random, halfbakery