So I am reaching out for some desperate insights on this death trap known as a treadmill. I have ran on a treadmill before but nothing to serious because I enjoy the great outdoors way better, but I am fighting a small tickle in my throat and I don’t want to increase my chances of making it worse; seeing how I live in Michigan. So, here is my concern… I am training for the 70.3 in Panama City, Panama which is 3.5 weeks away and I have a 90 minute tempo run today and I would love to run outside, BUT this tickle can’t turn into something more. I am pondering the dreadmill rather then taking a day off. Can the treadmill actually be close to the real deal to where I can actually get a good training in? Thanks everyone
DOing your 90 minute run on the treadmill wont hurt anything, just make sure to put your incline at 1 or 2 %. It will hurt you if you do all your running on a treadmill then race on the roads.
As far as your throat goes, I would think that running on the treadmill would expose you to the illness risk as much as running outside seeing as how its been proven that the cold/wet thing isnt was causes the common cold/flu.
Although, on the treadmill, you will have better access to hydration which will make a difference in how ill you get (or dont get). I like the treadmill, I have to use them all the time here in China because of traffic, air quality and not always knowing where to run when im in new places that have no running community.
the treadmill can be great for tempo work and hills.
besides, you HR doesn’t lie, so if you are doing the work, you are doing the work.
i live north of you…toronto, and i run outside mostly but treadmill once per week at least during this time of year.
just get good videos.
So I am reaching out for some desperate insights on this death trap known as a treadmill. I have ran on a treadmill before but nothing to serious because I enjoy the great outdoors way better, but I am fighting a small tickle in my throat and I don’t want to increase my chances of making it worse; seeing how I live in Michigan. So, here is my concern… I am training for the 70.3 in Panama City, Panama which is 3.5 weeks away and I have a 90 minute tempo run today and I would love to run outside, BUT this tickle can’t turn into something more. I am pondering the dreadmill rather then taking a day off. Can the treadmill actually be close to the real deal to where I can actually get a good training in? Thanks everyone
Treadmills are great. they are not like running on the road. there is a lot more “give” than the pavement.
Just run on the treadmill and keep your effort as planned, you will be fine. Find a fan and it will be a bit more tolorable.
jaretj
the treadmill can be great for tempo work and hills.
besides, you HR doesn’t lie, so if you are doing the work, you are doing the work.
+1
Long runs on treadmills are awful. If you really don’t want to go outside, then find an indoor track.
Tickle it back.
The treadmill sucks, it’s boring and monotonous for me even with video/headphones. And I find even with the 1-2% incline that most believe better simulates the road my mechanics change on the treadmill. That said for a one-off 90-minute session I say you suck it up…gotta get the workout in but you obviously don’t want to get a cold this late in the game.
You probably won’t love the session, but it’s also not gonna kill you.
Burning Smell From My Treadmill
Burning or Hot Wire
This is an ominous sign that a wire in the motor may have a short. Any time you notice an electrical smell, stop using the unit. You may be at risk for electrocution or the treadmill may catch on fire. Unplug the treadmill. Do not restart it or plug it in until the technician locates the problem. Even if you just plug it in, the wiring may continue to burn. If you cannot tell the difference between burning rubber and a burning wire, assume the treadmill is dangerous and leave it unplugged until it can be looked at by a professional.
If you are worried about getting sick, then rest today and mix up your running schedule the rest of the week to accommodate your 90 minute run. I agree with the above poster, dressed properly, running in the cold isn’t going to make you and more sick than the treadmill. Just don’t wear your self down and let that tickle become something worse.
Ingrid Kristianson set a marathon world record at London in 1985 after training all winter in Norway on a treadmill. There are other examples I’m sure I could find. Most people don’t have the mental fortitude for long hard runs on the treadmill, but if you do there is no reason it can’t be just as good running outside. Here is a link to an article that has several reasons treadmill running is better:
http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/treadmill-running.html
If the treadmill is in a gym or health club, you have a much greater risk of getting sick than you would running in the great ooutdoors. Germs make you sick not cold weather. Who knows who sneeezed on the treadmill before you get on.
No worries about running on the treadmill. I’ve heard of a bunch of people doing all their running on them except for races. I think someone else mentioned raising the incline to about 2%, which I will second. Your stride changes on the treadmill and by having that 2% incline, it’ll go back to your normal stride.
Long runs on treadmills are awful. If you really don’t want to go outside, then find an indoor track.
I’d be very worried about injuries to my inside leg if I tried to do a long run on an indoor track, especially considering most indoor track are shorter than the standard 400m track so you would be doing A LOT of laps.
If you don’t feel well enough to run outside you probably should not run at all. Take care of your health! A 90 minute tempo run is a big effort, and if you are close to sickness, then it will put you over the edge. Best of luck!
Find a fan and it will be a bit more tolorable. jaretj
A large-screen TV helps too.
If you don’t feel well enough to run outside you probably should not run at all. Take care of your health! A 90 minute tempo run is a big effort, and if you are close to sickness, then it will put you over the edge. Best of luck!
+1, The most important thing to do is to pay attention to what you body is telling you…yeah it might just be a cold, but I could be because your body is run down or needs a break, most burnouts can be avoided by listening to what your body says. That’s not to say that every time you are tired you don’t workout, there is a difference between being tired and being on the verge of being of burnout/sickness. Good Luck!
Medically speaking there is no reason to suspect that going outside is going to worsen a viral upper respiratory tact infection. However, exercising too vigorously can. Mild relaxed exercise is fine and may resolve symptoms more quickly. You may be better off resting and adjusting your schedule.
I almost rather not run, than to run on those pieces of crap…
Even though I have a treadmill at home, when I feel like I’m getting sick, I actually prefer to run outside - even when it’s miserable - fresh air just seems to help mentally.
But yes, the treadmill would be a fine substitute.
On the other hand, I agree with the others - missing one workout, no matter how key, is not going to make or break your race. Missing a week because you’re sick, and then trying to play catchup and overreaching, could screw you up royally.
Listen to your body - take a break, get some sleep, take a bunch of magic placebo pills (vitamin C for me).