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

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.

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.

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!

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!!!

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

Boring !

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.