Treadmill Training

I do most of my treadmill training in the winter. of course, I live in NH.

I guess it makes sense if you think about it.

Keith Anderson - 40yrs old, 2:17 marathoner, competed in the Commonwelath Games in KL in '98.

Michael Wardian does a lot of his training on a treadmill.

A promo video put out by Adidas has Geb on a treadmill.

Its as useful as you want it to be.....

Christine Clark won the US women's OT marathon in 2000 after training mostly on a treadmill (she lives/d in Alaska)

sounds like a great idea in central fla.

I do A LOT of my training on treadmill (perhaps 95% if you don't include races). I've done 10 marathons, and looking for another this fall.

Just some advice:

You should mix up the workouts. Change the elevation and speed often. I read that you use slightly different muscles on a treadmill than running outside (the difference between being pulled along and pushing yourself down the road). I didn't do this for my last Boston and paid dearly.

Really watch the mileage you put on your shoes. You can easily wear down a pair of shoes and they might still appear brand new (especially the uppers). Then eBay them.

Lastly, really give your 'marathon shoes' the test on a long run that takes place outside. I've found that I blister in different areas of my foot when running on a road vs. the cushion of a treadmill belt.

Good luck!

thanks. What about training for the 10K/XC type stuff that is coming up in the winter.

I plan on switching from the TM to the roads completely like three weeks before the season begins to get accustomed to running outside again.

I also plan on doing both of my weekend runs outside.

Sound reasonable?

I'm a professional marathoner (and I won't tell you my name or times) and I consider the treadmill a vital element to my training and preparation. I use it specifically for long runs and tempos. You can be as specific/precise as you desire in a controlled environment. You can gauge the level of your fitness regardless of weather conditions.

I don't believe in the 1% theory. I don't train at an incline, specifically because I think it causes unnecessary strain on the lower leg area, especially your calves. It's not necessary.

My advice: keep good records of all your efforts on the treadmill and use it to build your fitness level. It can be a great training tool.

good luck

I do about 40-50% of my time on a treadmill. I too do not use the incline.

My take is as follows and not everyone will agree:

- i find the easy pace on the treadmill to be harder than the same pace on the road.

- i find my 5k and tempo paces on the treadmill easier than the same pace on the road.

Not sure why this is. i think it is mostly psychological.

So what advice would you give someone running on a TM for six days a week?

Will I be really messed up if I do this for the XC season coming up?

I want to be doing around 70 miles per week. Do you think 70 miles on a TM=70 miles on the ground?

I trained to a sub3 marathon doing almost all my speedwork on the mill and now I am addicted to it -- for speedwork only. Even on a fine day I will do interval work on the treadmill. I do not believe in the 1 degree theory and leave it on 0 degrees. I know this works because whenever I do go to the track my times are faster at the same level of perceived effort than what I run on the treadmill. Plus it got me to sub3.

sounds very reasonable

i trained near the panhandle of fla when i was in college. it was simply brutal and know that i would have been a better runner overall if i didn't have to spend 3 months in freaking heat and humidity. as someone pointed out in another thread about new orleans, they often ran at midnight and the temps were in the 80s, the humidity was likely in the 80s to 90s as well. week after week of training in this kind of weather simply broke me down mentally and physically - not to mention the god damned bugs - deer flies, mosquitoes, gnats and chiggers or red bugs!