Amp Up your Treadmill workout

On my running days...which is most days, these days, I prefer to run on the treadmill.  My reasons are as follows.

1.  I think it is safer... no cars with texters, to run me over, no rough terrain to stumble upon, no unexpected conditions. 

2. Optimal weather... its usually about 70 degrees in my gym and never rainy or windy.

3.  There are comfort items... towels, TV, other people I can chat with regardless of the pace they are going.

4. I don't have to carry my water.

5. Built in metrics like mileage, hills, time and effort. 

But continually running on the treadmill is cheating right?  I mean how will I ever improve?  Am I burning the same amount of calories as I would if I were challenging myself outdoors?  How is this type of training preparing me for races?  

Well, if you are looking to pump up your treadmill workout, check out these tips, once again borrowed from POPSUGAR.