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

Happylady123

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.

This sounds like a good idea. Mixing things up also keeps me from getting bored and keeps my legs always guessing what is next. I think breaking it up some by running on the treadmill exercises different muscles in my legs giving others a chance to heal and repair, too. Thanks for the post!

Happylady123

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!!!

So glad someone else can relate! I love my treadmill! It is not your typical treadmill. It is a challenge, and you can bet I am not watching tv while I am on it! I am changing my form as the incline goes up and down, looking at the street view to see where I "am going," and totally engaged the entire run. It definately is not boring! I can also tell that I feel faster and stronger on my outside runs. I think that is my problem for the most part.... that I am starting out my long run WAY too fast especially in the heat. I have to learn the process of running the long training run.

Happylady123

Thank you all for the tips and advice! I must say it is hard to hear someone say "embrace the suck" when according to their profile they have only run one 5k. With all due respect, running a 5k is a lot different than spending hours outside running in the heat preparing for a marathon. I can bang out 30 minutes running through anything with no problem. Just saying:laugh:

KristiRTT

I definetly agree that 30 min runs in humidity are much different than 2+ hours in humidity! I have never ran more than a half so I can't comment on 4 hours but I think getting miles in is important! I spent a good portion of my half training on the treadmill and I finished 12 min ahead of my goal for he race and it had an elevation gain of over 1200 ft!

Happylady123

I definetly agree that 30 min runs in humidity are much different than 2+ hours in humidity! I have never ran more than a half so I can't comment on 4 hours but I think getting miles in is important! I spent a good portion of my half training on the treadmill and I finished 12 min ahead of my goal for he race and it had an elevation gain of over 1200 ft!

Congrats to you! That is awesome, and glad to hear the treadmill worked out for you! Very encouraging!

aswearingen22

Thank you all for the tips and advice! I must say it is hard to hear someone say "embrace the suck" when according to their profile they have only run one 5k. With all due respect, running a 5k is a lot different than spending hours outside running in the heat preparing for a marathon. I can bang out 30 minutes running through anything with no problem. Just saying:laugh:

lol, too funny! Yea, I could run a 5k blindfolded in the desert and be ok!:) 2-4 hour training runs are a complete different animal, not even considering weather! I have run 8 half's and trained in every weather condition imaginable, but an trying to "embrace the suck" for my first marathon training. It's hard, the treadmill calls my name more often than I'd like, but never for my long runs...I really do "embrace the suck" for those, I just get out early!

Lisah8969

Thank you all for the tips and advice! I must say it is hard to hear someone say "embrace the suck" when according to their profile they have only run one 5k. With all due respect, running a 5k is a lot different than spending hours outside running in the heat preparing for a marathon. I can bang out 30 minutes running through anything with no problem. Just saying:laugh:

Funny! As I was reading these, I just kept wondering where everyone lived who responded. I live in S FL. I have done 5 half marathons. I try and do my long day outside even if it means getting to the park before the sun rises. From October through May, I can get more days outside and that's fine, but full sun and humidity during those other months...that's killer. All the races in FL are in the winter months, so no real use acclimating myself to 95 degrees and humidity for a race that has no chance having that same weather. I do agree with those who say that it is a different feel and experience from a regular treadmill to pavement and that is why I do get at least one day outside every week.

Good luck!

Happylady123

Thanks again for all the advice, guys. I ran outside yesterday morning after my 12-hour shift. This was the only way to get it done before it got too hot. My Garmin says the temp. was 75 degrees with 89 percent humidity. I ran in a park with some shading from huge trees. It really was not bad at all at this time. I focused on not letting my heart rate get above 160. If it started to creep up I slowed a tad. I also carried one bottle of Poweraid Zero along for the ride and consumed two gu along the way. I managed to knock out my 12 miles in an avg. 10:20 per mile without feeling like I was dying. I think I am starting to get acclamated.

jacquiroxx922

Thanks again for all the advice, guys. I ran outside yesterday morning after my 12-hour shift. This was the only way to get it done before it got too hot. My Garmin says the temp. was 75 degrees with 89 percent humidity. I ran in a park with some shading from huge trees. It really was not bad at all at this time. I focused on not letting my heart rate get above 160. If it started to creep up I slowed a tad. I also carried one bottle of Poweraid Zero along for the ride and consumed two gu along the way. I managed to knock out my 12 miles in an avg. 10:20 per mile without feeling like I was dying. I think I am starting to get acclamated.

Glad that worked for you!! I just read the whole thread because I start marathon training next week and had the same question. My access to a TM isn't as easy and would be at a gym, so not an awesome one like yours (and I would definitely get bored on it). I've been running in the mornings now just to keep my base miles up, but I know it will take a lot of motivation to do long runs (right now my long runs are usually around 5 miles because I'm between training and just keep my base mileage steady until marathon training starts). GL and thanks for asking this question!