I’m planning on putting serious effort into the run training this winter utilizing a mill. Ten days ago I put in a 2 hr treadmill run. After an hour on the mill I got off to get some water, no problems. After the second hour both Achilles were tight and it took several days to get loose. Four days before I could run again – first time I’ve ever had that kind of problem on a treadmill. 1) I think it was an adaptation problem, an unfamiliar surface, and first time I ran on a treadmill this season. 2) I spent too much time running at “0” elevation, maybe an hour or so. Would sticking to 1-2 degree elevation have prevented the problem?
Did a long run out on the road Sat., 2.5 hrs. My legs took a beating. I’m wondering if an extensive use of a treadmill might carry with it a liability that the legs will not be accustomed to the pounding of the road? Might there be some adaption issues again to road running in about 4 months? If so anyway to address this on the tread over the winter? My intent is to train long, tempo, intervals, and hill repeats on the tread, and on the occasional decent day over the winter get out and test the legs. Thanks.
I’ve never had achilles problems on the deadmill and have put in several 20milers.
Treadmills are 2-4% more efficient than running on roads so a 1% or so incline should even things out. Not sure if it would have prevented the problem. If this was you first 2hr run that might be the culprit.
I think the treadmill is great for developing a steady running pace, leg speed and strength depending upon how fast it goes. I used to do my intervals on treadmill for a month and always went back to the track 1-2 secs per 800 faster than if I had stayed on the track. I think my neuromuscular adaptations to running faster on the mill than possible on the track carried over a bit.
I believe running at 0 degree incline is a bad idea on a treadmill. I used to have bad Achilllies problems, but I have found gooing to a lower, nearly flat heel and running uphill on the treadmill both help. They seem to stretch the tendon slightly with every stride. I am guessing stretching is good, pounding is bad.
Yes, running on the treadmill will make the legs less able to take a beating on the roads. Running on the roads also makes me less able to take a beating because I get injured. You pick your poison when you are over 40, over weight and out of shape. Hopefully none of those descriptions apply in your case.