Marathon Weekend 2016

[Z-Knight]

I was doing 3% for a long time, now down to 2% because it is easier and hence I'm faster - so I feel more acomplished even though it is all in my head. Whats crazy is how much my heart rate drops when I drop the incline. For example, running at 2% had my heartrate at around 160, but at the end of the run the treadmill dropped to 0% but I kept the same speed and my heart rate was below 150, and felt super easy. I remember how hard it was at 5.5% a year ago and even at 3% - crazy how much a little incline affect things.

 

[RunDisneyDad]

Put me in the non-treadmill camp. The thing I dislike about the treadmill is you don't go anywhere and when I run one of the things that gets me through longer or tougher runs is picking a landmark ahead and motivating myself to get to that landmark and then pick the next one and so on.

Ironically as I talk badly of the treadmill I'll likely be doing a run on the treadmill tonight as its raining cats and dogs here...hmmm, maybe I should appreciate the TM more.

 

[SeattleSuz]

I understand that! I got nipped by my first dog over the weekend. It was a small disposable pup, but loud and quite disruptive.

I took my boxer for a walk the next day and didn't see the little rat!

-Brian

Giggling at "Small disposable pup"

 

[FFigawi]

Speaking of treadmills, I would suggest that no matter how much you like them, you still need to do a good amount of running outside. It will build strength in your feet and ankles and help prevent getting shin splints in the later stages of the marathon.

 

[bcarey2k]

Speaking of treadmills, I would suggest that no matter how much you like them, you still need to do a good amount of running outside. It will build strength in your feet and ankles and help prevent getting shin splints in the later stages of the marathon.

Agreed. I hate TM. I love running on the track (so soft) .... But most treadmills have some give too ... Pavement really doesn't. My feet know the difference .... Especially after mile 2.

My 2 cents

-Brian

 

[Keels]

Speaking of treadmills, I would suggest that no matter how much you like them, you still need to do a good amount of running outside. It will build strength in your feet and ankles and help prevent getting shin splints in the later stages of the marathon.

This. Plus, I found that running on the Dreadmill indoors REALLY hindered my conditioning this summer. It would be like "Yay! Crushed that 6 miles at the gym!" and then I'd head outside to run a 10K race for time and thought I would die - between the sun, the heat and the humidity. That June 10K was the last of my running indoors on a treadmill.

Sure, it set my training back a little during the summer because some days I just COULDN'T do the mileage outside that I would normally do indoors, but the tradeoff is that I can deal with heat, sun and humidity way better now.

Even though I did about just die on my midday run here in Orlando ...

 

[opusone]

While I greatly prefer to run outside, I do run on my treadmill when the weather outside won't cooperate (usually either lightning storm or extreme cold).

Over the years, I think I've determined the main reasons for my treadmill-dislike:

1. The view never changes. I love seeing what's going on in the world during my runs, especially the long runs. I have tried to watch TV while on a treadmill to fix this, but that actually seems to make the time go even slower for me. Plus, TV is too much mind stimulation for me when I run (I don't even wear headphones because of this). I like my mind to be relaxed when I run.

2. No breeze. A nice breeze (whether natural or from your own movement forward) passing over the body helps the cooling process while running, and I really miss that when I'm on a treadmill. I seem to sweat earlier and more on a treadmill, and I think the same pace feels harder due to reduced cooling. I fully agree this may not be valid if you running in >90 degree weather, but I'm not.

3. Constant speed. During a normal run, I am fairly consistent with pace, but not perfectly consistent. I think the body takes little breaks during runs to refresh itself and use different muscles (to a very small extent).

I have found that intervals (or even threshold runs) are a good option (more appealing) if I have to be on the treadmill.

 

[derekleigh]

I don't HATE the treadmill, but it's not my preferred method for running. Like many, I prefer outside running, even in sub-zero temperatures. If the situation calls for it I will run on the treadmill. For example, my In-laws, live by a stretch of roads that has a 50 MPH limit, snake-like, and virtually NO SHOULDER. I'm usually one of the first few awake when we go so if I had to choose between running on that road or a treadmill, I'll take the treadmill.

I do FEEL like I am running harder on a treadmill at a slower speed compared to running outside. Outside a moderate pace is about 8:30 mm, but on a treadmill it feels like I'm doing everything I can just to maintain a 9:00 mm!

But I loathe the track. Holy cow I ran on our local track this past summer for the first time since, well, I did track in HS. Let me tell you, I've run HMs that felt faster than a 4 or 5 miler I did. I just don't know why, but I hated running on it.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

But I loathe the track. Holy cow I ran on our local track this past summer for the first time since, well, I did track in HS. Let me tell you, I've run HMs that felt faster than a 4 or 5 miler I did. I just don't know why, but I hated running on it.

Amen - I won't even do my .25 mile interval training on a track anymore. I'd rather dodge traffic.

 

[Kathymford]

I have only tried running on a treadmill once and I was not a fan. I felt like I was going to fall off the thing the entire time (I don't even walk straight, let alone run!). And then the next day, my calves were sore in all kinds of weird places. Not quite shin splints, but on the side, near there. I can only imagine it was me tightening everything in my legs possible since I was going to fall? What do you guys think of using the elliptical machines in place instead of the TM for runs? I know, it's not quite the same as actually running, but I figure the cardio is good? I do LOVE running at the track. I am so much faster on flat, soft land! I run at the track by my work twice a week, mostly because it's literally next door to my office building and that ensures I go! But also, there is so much going on there at that time. High School cheerleaders, football practice, lots of other runners. It's a great distraction.

On the subject of watches and apps. I use RunKeeper and have recently bought an Apple Watch. I know the Apple Watch isn't quite there in some of the running stats, but I'm hopeful it will get there some day. I do like the heart rate monitor on it and I've been using that to tell me when I'm running too fast. I don't necessarily want another device, but I do like the lap pace information @DopeyBadger was mentioning. Is there an inexpensive one that you guys could recommend?

 

[kevdad]

I think I'm pretty lucky in that I've never run on a track or a treadmill. The weather is actually pretty mild here in Colorado for year-round running other than a few very snowy weeks during the winter. And when that happens I just don't run. I seriously am afraid to run on a treadmill because my balance is a bit off and I'd be afraid of falling off and ending up in Kansas.

For intervals I use my Garmin. I set it to beep to tell me when to start/stop sprinting/recovery after x meters and it seems to work pretty well. Anyone else have much luck doing that or comments?

By the way, I'm floored by the level of discourse in this thread these days. So much positive energy and great tips. Keep it up!!!

 

[SeattleSuz]

What do you guys think of the fitbit app and the running portion that they have built into it?

 

[opusone]

On the subject of watches and apps. I use RunKeeper and have recently bought an Apple Watch. I know the Apple Watch isn't quite there in some of the running stats, but I'm hopeful it will get there some day. I do like the heart rate monitor on it and I've been using that to tell me when I'm running too fast. I don't necessarily want another device, but I do like the lap pace information @DopeyBadger was mentioning. Is there an inexpensive one that you guys could recommend?

I've been a long-time user of Garmin watches and highly recommend them. Their latest budget version (which does include Lap Pace as a data field) is the Garmin Forerunner 25. At about the same price point, the Polar M400 gets pretty good reviews, and I'm almost certain that it has Lap Pace as a data field.

A great website for GPS watch reviews is DC Rainmaker.

BTW, I use the Garmin Forerunner 225 which, like the Apple Watch, has the HR monitor on the back of the watch. I am very happy that I do not have to wear a chest strap anymore.

 

[DopeyBadger]

I don't necessarily want another device, but I do like the lap pace information @DopeyBadger was mentioning. Is there an inexpensive one that you guys could recommend?

According to dcrainmaker's review (in the "Running" section), the Garmin FR10 can do Lap Pace with the function of auto-lap set to 1 mile as well, but I do not personally own one.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2012/08/garmin-forerunner-watch.html

https://buy.garmin.com/en-US/US/into-sports/running/forerunner-10/prod107143.html

I didn't check other vendors, but I trust my Garmin 620 to be very accurate for my needs.

 

[roxymama]

I do FEEL like I am running harder on a treadmill at a slower speed compared to running outside. Outside a moderate pace is about 8:30 mm, but on a treadmill it feels like I'm doing everything I can just to maintain a 9:00 mm!

THIS!! This this this!!!

By the way, I am running on a treadmill tonight. I may just run for the time it usually takes outside instead of mileage tonight at this point.

 

[Keels]

What do you guys think of the fitbit app and the running portion that they have built into it?

Just my opinion, but I didn't really have a great experience with my FitBit. Not only did it die four months after I got it, but I never got it replaced because customer service was so terrible.

I ended up relying on RunKeeper or MapMyRun more than my FitBit, because FitBit would consistently be off by anywhere from .2 - .5 miles.

After my FitBit died, I bought a Garmin ForeRunner 10 off Amazon for like $70, and it was the best purchase I've made. I've ended up upgrading to a Garmin Vivoactive, but I've also been able to dump running apps because I've found the Garmin devices to be more helpful and intuitive mid-run.

Personally, I don't care so much about my stats postrun. My thinking is the run is done, so what can I do to change that exact result. But the pacing features, lap details, etc., that I get on my Garmin are life savers.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

BTW, I use the Garmin Forerunner 225 which, like the Apple Watch, has the HR monitor on the back of the watch. I am very happy that I do not have to wear a chest strap anymore.

I have been reading about the 225. Question - Is it comfortable wearing the watch higher on the wrist as they recommend for the HR monitor? I am so used to wearing 610 all the way down by my hand.

 

[opusone]

For intervals I use my Garmin. I set it to beep to tell me when to start/stop sprinting/recovery after x meters and it seems to work pretty well. Anyone else have much luck doing that or comments?

Yes, I do use my Garmin 225 for intervals; however, I typically use custom workouts for this instead of just using the built-in interval system. I create custom workouts because the number of repeats as well as the interval time/distance change over the training plan, so I don't have to constantly change the built-in interval settings each time I go out. Instead, I just upload all the workouts to the watch, and then each time, simply select the appropriate workout for that day. I do the same for threshold runs and choose the correct workout depending on how long I want to maintain the threshold pace (with open warm-up and cool down periods).

 

[roxymama]

I feel like I need to post this here because I am not sure many of my friends would care. I got my corral assignment for my hot chocolate race. It draws something ridiculous like 20,000 or 40,000 people or something. It takes over an hour to get through Corral A through W.

AND I GOT CORRAL C!!!! Sorry if this is not exciting for you all...but I'm over the moon. My first thought was "I get to pretend like I'm a fast runner" but then I thought...no no no, this is proof I am a fast runner...right? Anyways, who cares. I'm sure there are faster behind me who just didn't submit proof of time.

My hubby got F and that's not too shabby either!

 

[opusone]

I have been reading about the 225. Question - Is it comfortable wearing the watch higher on the wrist as they recommend for the HR monitor? I am so used to wearing 610 all the way down by my hand.

I have read those comments as well, but I'm not sure what they are talking about. I wear the 225 at the same position as my older watches (just above the wrist bone, see picture below), and the heart rate has been very accurate. I find that the only time the HR is not accurate is if you have the watch too loose, so you do need to keep it fairly snug.