Treadmill VS. the real thing!!!!!!!

[wiskband]

OK so I am joggin my 4 miles on the treamill, the whole time thinking and imagining what the marathn will be like.
I began thinking that the treadmill kinda owns me as I am on it. What I mean by that is, I am forced to run a certain speed because the floor below me is moving! RIGHT?
Besides weather, incline, curbs, rocks, other people etc., will I be able to really do this? I plan on getting out in the "real world" the "outdoor track" when the weather gets nicer but, I can;t help but think the the treamill is a nice comfy place to run and real thing will be a whole lot different.
I won;thave the comfort of shocks below me.........you know what I mean............

Any input......
what do you all think, is my treadmill realiztic training. I mean I know it is helping build endurance, theres no doubt about that but really, is this good training for the real thing?


Renee

 

[ADisneyMom]

Hi wiskband,

I'm speaking as a walker I am not a jogger(not good for my knees).

I walked in a half-marathon on Thanksgiving and last Sunday(March 28).

Most of my training is on my treadmill. For walking anyway, I think it works for me like you said for endurance.
Even though the street surface is different from the treadmill I have been able to finish both races by training on the treadmill.

Good luck training.

ADisneyMom

 

[JustMe28]

I know that the treadmill can really kick your butt. I think it would be great to train on, of course I have never trained but I have alot of experience with working out on the treadmill and walking outside for exercise. If I were you, I'd go out somewhere and try running the 4 miles and see how you feel, before the actual marathon takes place. And, let me just say, GOOD FOR YOU for running 4 miles on the treadmill!! You sound so committed!!

 

[solotraveler]

Since you are a jogger, there is a pretty considerable difference between the tradmill and the real thing, as on a tradmill at speed you are not really fully utilizing the muscles in your legs to propel you forward. The treadmill is GREAT cardio, really gets the heart rate up, but it's no match for solid ground in terms of training for a race.

My suggestions would be to try and find a track or running route as soon as the weather is comfortable and begin to suppliment that to your treadmill training. While on the treadmill, use that handy-dandy incline feature. It can really help with the muscle-utilization that I mentioned before.

Finally, I would make sure that when you really start to train for the marathon, you get outside on the road. Really fell what asphalt feels like, run hills (up and down) and get out in the weather. While the course is flat, there are some hills that I can think of and you never know what the weather will be. From my viewpoint, it's best to know what it feels like when it's rainy or cold or both so you can be prepared on race day.

Sorry for the long, long post. (Personal training certifcation course rearing it's ugly head) I hope this helps and if you have any other questions, let me know!

Solotraveler

 

[pixiechick]

If you can adjust the incline, you might want to do so. I keep mine at a 1% or 1.5% incline. That helps mimic some of the differences. I've had no problem adjusting to outside. I actually run better on the road.

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

solotraveler said it all. I have read and have very limited experience with the difference. TM is definitely a good plus for building aerobic ability, but nothing compares to the "real" thing. If you can get out to experience it do. If not, you should still be able to do fairly well by TM training, just realize when in the real thing that your stride may be different (TM vs real). In another post I was advised that someone had competed a marathon doing primarily water training due to injury rehab. So with that said, I am hopeful that you will be successful in your effort as well.

Good luck!

 

[littlegreydonkey]

I agree with solo traveller - it is a little bit easier to run on the treadmill than outside, but cranking up the incline a bit really does make a difference. You might also want to switch to outside (even just once a week) to beat the boredom on longer runs - I can't stay on the treadmill for more than 20 minutes of steady running without going nuts now - and while I hate hills and headwinds they do make the time pass a bit faster.

 

[AKASnowWhite]

I find it much easier MENTALLY to run outside! Even with my music, the many tv's and people to watch at the gym as I run on the treadmill.....I can't help but feel that I am going NO WHERE! It's all a mind game for me.....I also find that I run FASTER outside - even with the hills and all....

Most definitely the treadmill is easier on your body - and for that reason I have to do the majority of my training indoors right now (back issues due to an auto accident ) so when I get outside to run I feel like a dog that's broken free of it's leash! It's so liberating!

 

[wiskband]

SNOW..............
My goal is to do eactly that sometime this week.........
the weather is getting nicer now I just have to find some time and then Ill hit the track........

thanks
renee

 

[evansmom]

i totally agree with AKAsnowWhite!!!! outside is soooo much more fun and liberating!!!!

i used to be the EXACT same way...i only did TM training, up to 4 miles. i was SOOOO scared of going to street! now, i LOVE street running. (well, when the weather cooperates!) cold i don't mind, i just don't like cold and rain!!!!

however, there is something about just being out there on your own, time to yourself! and it doesn't get boring. a TM you can hop off of at anytime. running a route, you always need to get back home, so you have to do the mileage (if that makes sense)

sometimes i run with friends also. we just run and chat for however long the run is that day!

way better than a TM. i do like the TM to work on speed, but nothing beats running outside!!!!

have fun and be confident!!!! you can do it!!!!