Eek! The weeks are flying by and before I blink I will be at the starting line for the 2018 Chicago marathon. These days, I need to get in a variety of runs. Some of them are better on the open road and some are better done on a treadmill. Here are 3 marathon training runs I do on a treadmill.
One:: Interval Runs
I have to admit, these are my favorite kind of runs! Yes, I know that isn’t typical for a marathon runner. Usually they like the long runs, but I love these because they make me feel strong and accomplished.
An interval run - which usually is filled with speed work mixed with slower recovery paces repeated multiple times. Unless you live near a track, a treadmill is what you need to get these runs in. The machine makes it easier to run the prescribed distance, and/or the prescribed speed. For me, it also allows me to push myself to run a little further or a little faster on each speed interval.
So far this summer I’ve run 400-meter repeats, 200-meter repeats and 100-meter repeat workouts all on the Matrix TF30 treadmill I got earlier this year from Johnson Fitness and Wellness.
Two:: Hill Runs
These runs are essential to training in order to build muscle. And they are the runs I absolutely dread!
While vacationing out near Boston getting hills in was easy peasy! Every road was a hill. But back in the flat Midwest, hill workouts are more challenging to fit in. Driving to a hilly suburb seems silly, so I do hill workouts on the treadmill.
Since it’s easy to adjust the incline, I’ll often push myself to do a run that has various inclines throughout going from a ‘flat road’ at 1% incline, up to 5%, back to 1% and then up again to an 8% or 9%. Varying the time I spend on the hill and the incline percentage helps build muscle and push my legs to make it through more difficult runs later.
Three:: Steady Pace Runs
I’m totally one of those runners who goes out too fast and then burns out before the finish line, needing to really push myself to finish. To combat that, I’m trying to get better at recognizing my pace and keeping it steady. But while running outside, it is difficult to keep things consistent across long distances. That’s where the treadmill comes into play. I can set the speed to my usual tempo and then keep at it for a number of miles, to get my mind and body accustomed to running consistently at that speed. These treadmill runs have made me more consistent when I take my runs outside, and have helped me increase my usual speed.
BONUS:: Night or Early Morning Runs
Now that it’s summer, getting in runs is pretty easy no matter when I need to do that. But as the fall approaches and the daylight is lessening, my early morning or evening runs will need to move to the treadmill. I know for a lot of us female runners safety while running is crucial and something we are considering in light of recent news. Personally, I would prefer to do an indoor treadmill run than an outdoor run when it’s dark out and few people are around. Being able to run indoors also ensure that I get my runs in when I am supposed to, and don’t need to put them off until I can find the daylight.
This is a sponsored post. I was provided product in order to give my honest opinion and share my thoughts about the treadmill and how its used in marathon training. All opinions are my own.
