Marathon training... the heat or the treadmill???

Happylady123

Is it going to hurt my training too much if I do a lot of my runs indoors on my treadmill due to the heat and humidity here? My marathon is in November, so I hope to back to running outdoors fully in the fall. I tried to run last night and the humidity was killer... not to mention all the bugs I swallowed and the dogs who were annoyed and chasing me. I was not a happy camper! My treadmill has the google map app on it where you can program it to run anywhere. It wll actually follow the incline or decline of the terrain so it is a pretty good workout. This will be my first marathon, and I am not very confident. My long runs have gotten harder to complete. I am not sure if it is because ofall the extra running I am doing during the week or the heat. This is throwing my confidence a curve ball! Any advice would be helpful. By the way, I don't seem to have trouble completing the long runs indoors.

dsjohndrow

I just cannot stand to run inside. If it was a quick 3 miles, possibly, but not a 20 mile long run.

RoseTears143

Sounds like an amazing treadmill! I would agree with doing long runs outdoors though so you get used to actually running on the pavement or the terrain you will be running on for race day because treadmills have suspension systems in them...the ground doesn't.

KristiRTT

What was your base mileage before training? Can you train earlier in the am or later in the day?

I spent a lot of my training for my first half indoors, and I think if you can keep your mind busy and your not bored on the treadmill, go for it! Just be sure to run at least once a week outside so that you stay comfortable with pacing! It would be a shame if you spent all the time training and then try to run outside and can't pace your self! Good luck and have an awesome time in November!

belgerian

I would do both becouse if you can run ok in the heat/humid then you would be able to run Great in the cooler weather.

Sarge516

Running on a treadmill is different to your body than running outside. When running outside, you actually use muscle to propel your body forward. Not so on a treadmill. I say run outside if you are able. Try morning or evening when it's cooler.

JenMc14

I've never done a distance that long, so take this for what it's worth: When training for a 5K, I mostly did it on the treadmill until the weather cleared. I had run maybe 6 or 7 times outside (if that) prior to my race. My pace was about what it had been on my outdoor runs, and I was pleased with it. (32:09). If you can get outside before the weather gets un bearable, do it. If you could do a shorter run outside, do it. If not, so long as you get some long runs in a couple of months out leading up to the race, you'll probably be ok. Your treadmill also sounds way more awesome than mine (I'm the 4th owner!) as well. Good luck!

cwolfman13

Running on a treadmill on occasion is ok...but if you're training on a treadmill routinely for an actual race, you're going to be in for a world of hurt. Treadmills help you out too much...running outdoors is completely and totally different. I say suck it up and run in the heat (personally I love it and it only makes me stronger when I run in cooler temps)...or run in the mornings when it's cool. I seldom set foot on a treadmill...has to be pretty nasty outside for me to do so.

JaimeLoves2run

I disagree that the treadmill helps you out too much. We purchased a brand new proform with the incline/decline google maps app and ifit this February. My hubby and I used it to do alot of training over the winter months for our first Half in May. Thank God for it, and I will tell you one thing, this treadmill is a beast. I could easily run 7-8 mph on my old treadmill, On this new one Its a workout hauling out a 9 min mile pace. But then when I get outside, it seems so much easier. We rocked our half marathons and have been doing multiple 5k's now. Last weekend I placed in my age group with a 7:44 Pace. Do whatever feels best to you, Your Tread sounds just like mine, and Now when I run outside, its easier, a breath of fresh air : ) In more than one aspect!!!

HannahJDiaz25

Running on a treadmill on occasion is ok...but if you're training on a treadmill routinely for an actual race, you're going to be in for a world of hurt. Treadmills help you out too much...running outdoors is completely and totally different. I say suck it up and run in the heat (personally I love it and it only makes me stronger when I run in cooler temps)...or run in the mornings when it's cool. I seldom set foot on a treadmill...has to be pretty nasty outside for me to do so.

This^ When you run on the treadmill it engages different muscles then running outside. I would run early in the mornings or late at night... save the treadmill for days when its ridiculous outside. I used to get up at 4AM to run.Its the only tolerable time in July in the midwest!

bio01979

I would also add that running in all conditions (the heat and humidity or rain and wind if that is the case) might help you prepare for race day. You don't know what the weather will be on race day. It could rain, it could be cold, it could be 30C with 85% humidity

There could be bugs, or dust in the air. Who knows?

I think the treadmill is ok, but I also think training in all conditions (except maybe ice and snow in winter ) is good for preparing you to be comfortable running no matter what the conditions are on race day

my body HATES humidity, but when I was living in the Philippines for a year and doing triathlons, I had to learn to race in 40C with 90% humidity some days I hydrated well and it all worked out

UlaAshore

Treadmills make you feel good about how far you can run, and most of them come with a fan. Treadmills enable you to run far longer than you would be able to on the street. These aren't bad things, but running outside is an almost totally different experience. My bliss comes from outdoor runs, so I tailor my long runs around the lowest temps I can manage (in south Texas, heat is a huge big deal.) Running on a track is the worst, especially an inside track. I don't know why, but track running is torturous for me. I'd gladly pick an air-conditioned treadmill or an appallingly early outdoor run over the track run any day, but I make myself run the track once a week whether I want to or not. I consider the three types of running together a kind of cross training. Cross running, if you will. So I run them all every week and throw in an hour or two on an elliptical trainer for good measure. Variety is good, but do your long summer runs outside before the sun comes up.

aswearingen22

I did almost 100% of my runs for my very first half marathon on the treadmill. HUGE mistake. Huge. Any slight little hill felt like a mountain to me. And I was so used to getting lost in watching tv/movies on the treadmill, that my mental game wasn't there on race day. The next year, I still did my weekday runs on the treadmill (too dark/cold for me at 5:30am when I run), but made sure I did all my long runs outside (unless there was a foot of snow). MUCH better results, PR'd by 15 mins over the last year. I did the same for spring half training this year...treadmill during the week (and some indoor track) and then all my long runs were outside (except one 14 miler on the treadmill when we had a blizzard and nothing was plowed...I saw it as improving my mental game, that's a long time on a treadmill!). But all my other long runs were outside...in 1 degree, in sleet, in 30mph winds, etc. I think you have to be mentally prepared for race day weather as you don't know what it could be. Having run in sleet and wind and rain, etc really does prepare me to not stress about race day weather and just know how to run in it (what to wear, etc).

I'm training right now for my first marathon in October (Chicago). The humidity in the midwest is so bad. But what I've read is that it takes about 2 weeks for your body to adjust to it and I think that's been holding true for me. It's only been bad the last few weeks and FINALLY, my 5 miler this morning in 95% humidity felt easier and my pace was closer to what I'd been able to run pre-humidity. But the temp was only 65 degrees when I ran, which is why I get up at 5:30am to run. Is that an option for you? When it starts getting even warmer in the mornings, I'll get up even earlier. I'd rather run at 4:30am in 65 degrees than 6am in 75 degrees! My long run last weekend was a disaster, it was 90% humidity and 75 degrees when I started at 8:15am. 11 miles in that and it was 85 degrees by the time I finished. It was brutal. I questioned why I run. I questioned why in the world I signed up for this marathon. But I felt AMAZING once I was done, because I did it. It boosted my confidence. That 11 miler would have been easy on my treadmill with my fan, cool basement, and laptop playing a movie. But I EARNED that 11 miler in that weather.

So my advice would be to get in as many outside as you can, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. If nothing else, do all your long runs outside. And, keep in mind that if the temp is above 65 degrees, you need to slow your pace. You need to slow down enough to keep your heart rate where it normally is on a non-hot/humid run. I've also read the guidance that for every degree above 65, slow your pace by 3 seconds a mile. So at 75 degrees, you'd be running 30 seconds per mile slower than your normal. If you slow your pace, it shouldn't feel as bad after a few weeks.

scottb81

A lady in Alaska trained for the Olympic Trials Marathon on a treadmill so it can be done.

RGv2

A lady in Alaska trained for the Olympic Trials Marathon on a treadmill so it can be done.

^^I performed almost all of my training on a treadmill. I think I got outside for anything over 10 miles like twice.

JustJennie1

It won't hinder your training but it WILL be boring as all heck. When I trained for my first half marathon (like you I had to train in the heat) my long runs were done outside on Sundays (other runs were indoors) and I still tried to push through even though it was insufferably hot and humid. When I missed a long outdoor run I was forced to do it on the TM the next day.

10 miles on a TM is TORTURE!

If you can do the majority of your long runs outdoors then do it. Short, training runs can be done on a TM with no ill effect to your marathon.

BrianSharpe

I don't enjoy running in the heat and humidity either and my solution is to try to get out early in the morning before it gets too warm (but then again I'm a morning person - not everyone is).

While running on the road would be preferable if you're able to get your base on the treadmill and spend some time on the road in the fall I expect you'll be fine.

PeteWhoLikesToRunAlot

I'm in a similar boat to you. My first 26.2 is in Oct, but the bulk of my training will occur in a New England summer. 1000% humidity most of the time. That being said, I only use the treadmill in a pinch. Your body will adapt to the heat & humidity, but it takes a couple of weeks. I'd recommend heading out very early, like right before sunrise. Still humid, but the heat won't get you. Alternately, head out right at sunset perhaps?

Best of luck!

jeffrodgers1

I personally despise the Dreadmill. Most people who know me, know that I'd rather run thru a blizzard than have to use one (and I have... frequently...:laugh: ) I guess you could say part of my treadmill problem is that after all that running you never get anywhere.

Treadmills just don't offer the same workout that running outside does. Yes, they are excellent cardio. Don't get me wrong, if I was confined to the same 4 walls every day, I would probably use one. But running on a spinning belt just misses something. Your stride doesn't feel the same and You don't push off in quite the same way. You also don't have to compensate for a variable pace. I would miss the wind in my limited supply of hair and the change of scenery.

If you must run on a treadmill, do seek some balance in keeping some of your runs outdoors. To avoid the heat, try running in the early morning or late evening.

Good luck with your training!

shannashannabobana

I'm just training for a 5k, but I had to make the same choice last week when it was around 100. In that case, I picked the treadmill. It is much easier, though (although that program with inclines and such sounds really cool!) so you might want to try to do at least one or two runs a week outside. I would try to do one of the weekend runs outside in the early morning before it gets insanely hot.

GiddyupTim

Boring !

sammyneb

I say take the heat (this is coming from someone who HATES to run in the heat & humidity) I personally know I run differently on a treadmill, my stride is different and my foot strike is different (not to mention it boring to me). So I choose to run outside whenever I can. Unless the roads are full of ice (snow is fine, just not ice) and it is under 90 degrees I will be outside. Obviously a lot slower and possibily less miles if it is 90 and humid. But if you are running a full in the fall (I'm thinking of signing up for my first full in October also :bigsmile: ) Take the heat, embrace the heat, because when the fall rolls around and the temps fall you will be able to run so much easier.

donrdon

Not crazy about the treadmill but I can see using it on those extreme heat days for shorter runs. But if you can get out early morning or late evening in would be beneficial. I'm not a morning person but I will get up at 5a.m. on Sunday to beat the heat for a long run because I can't handle the treadmill for that length of time.

JusticeGirl25

Run in the heat. Feels good. Good to sweat, too.

Vansy

No it won't affect your training. I'm from Florida originally and we would get up and do our long 20-mile runs at 4 AM, that way we were finished before 8 AM to avoid the heat.

A treadmill for longer runs sucks. I was forced to do a 17-mile run on a treadmill...wasn't the most pleasant experience.

falsecho

Run outside. Embrace the suck.

You may never get used to the humidity, but when fall comes you will be much better for it. Plus you never know what race day weather will be like. If it does turn out to be crappy, are you going to quit and go home?

glin23

I didn't run my 20 milers ona treadmill, but I did a 5 mile warm up outdoors and 15 on the mill and the 15 almost made me go crazy. I'll also say that depending on your race you might need to get used to altitude/air/enviornmental conditions aside fro mthe groundfeel which is important as well.

manhn1

For my half marathon training (done 2--my third is in a few days), I do most of my training on the treadmill. Ultimately, do what you want but I doubt you'll start running like a slug because you did a few runs on the treadmill.

rybo

This is why I could never run a fall marathon. Good luck. I detest treadmills, so I'd brave the heat if it was me.

belgerian

I enjoy running outside but I do miss the treadmill it was fairly easy to do interval training to get my pacing where i wanted. It is harder to push myself on the pavement, easier just to push a button and keep up. Also the gym i used to belong had a set of TVs in front of the treadmill I would find a good movie to watch and enjoy the move while going for a nice run much better than sitting on the couch enjoying a movie. Yes I would run for 1 hour or more.

redredy9

Last year I trained for a November marathon in NYC outside. It was hot and humid and gross but we acclimated. We would start our long runs at 7:00 and finish by 11. I could not imagine training on a treadmill. I am losing my mind and start hating running after about 30 minutes on the treadmill.