In my early 30s, I was at the peak of my career. I ran in the rain, no problem. I ran in the blazing sun, no problem. I ran at 9 p.m. at night – that was no problem either. However, as a busy mother of two, I no longer have the opportunities I once had.
Unfortunately, childcare, time of day, and bad weather (getting sick is just not an option) have kept me from training for any kind of running event for the past seven years. Seven years?!
I really don’t know where the time went, but I’m back in my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 23 running shoes and I’m fired up, so I’ve signed up for the Royal Parks Half Marathon, sponsored by Sweaty Betty. One thing’s for sure, I won’t be letting my training slip now that I have the luxury of a treadmill at home.
I’ll be honest. I’ve never been interested in training on a treadmill. I’ve always associated running with the great outdoors, but it’s a must and all, and now I’ve got everything I need to do it. How much time do I have? There are 10 weeks until the big day. Can I do it? There’s only one way to find out.
Can you do marathon training on a treadmill?
In short: “Yes,” says Gregor Parella, fitness consultant at Ringside24certified personal trainer (CPT) and strength and conditioning specialist. “It’s not only possible, but it’s also very beneficial due to its specific benefits, especially for those who don’t have the luxury of working out whenever they want due to childcare issues or work commitments.”
Among the many benefits that we cannot list here, Gregor highlights that treadmill training allows you to plan your workout as you wish, whether it is early in the morning or late at night. As an added bonus, you have privacy and are close to fluids, food and a toilet.
How does running on a treadmill compare to running outside?
As a newbie, with my tablet and a good Netflix series, training for my 21k race is exciting. While there are certainly differences between running on a treadmill and running outside, I’ve already gotten a few sessions under my belt and found that training on the treadmill might not be as difficult as I thought.
Sure, I miss the fresh air and dirty sneakers, but Gregor reminded me: “A treadmill can actually minimize injuries because it offers more cushioning and is easier on the joints. Plus, there are no tree roots to trip over – and you can customize your training conditions. So you get the best of both worlds: the experience of real running scenarios and the comfort and convenience of training indoors.”
So I started. I have a training plan to follow and I’m already a week into it. Don’t get me wrong; I’m going to do some more outdoor runs because it’s important that I train my body for the bumps and potholes of the roads that keep my proprioception, balance and coordination in check – especially because the race will be through London’s most beautiful royal parks and I’m bound to encounter a variety of different surfaces and road curves – and maybe a few muddy puddles too.
I also like to train with inclines. Sometimes 5% – sometimes just 1% – but as historical research shows, increasing the incline on a treadmill to 1% is more like running outside, so I’ve factored that in as well. Consistency will definitely be key when training for this race, and I’m looking forward to running with 16,000 other runners in my hometown and my kids cheering me on from the sidelines. What a feeling!
(My) treadmill training plan for the half marathon
Below is the exact treadmill workout plan I’ll be doing in preparation for my half marathon. Most of these runs will be at a steady pace, although as mentioned above, I’ll be experimenting with the incline settings. Cross training can be anything that isn’t running, from brisk walking and cycling to yoga and strength training. Choose something that works for you and your schedule.
