For many people, the first question is, “Is it possible to train for a marathon on a treadmill?” As long as you choose the right treadmill and not some flimsy machine from Amazon for under $600, it is entirely possible to use a treadmill for your entire marathon training cycle.
Treadmill Marathon Training Can Be Easier On Your Body
One of the major reasons marathon training can become interrupted is due to overuse injuries, which often are the direct result of running on hard surfaces like concrete and asphalt. Trail running can help alleviate the problem, but it is not an option for everyone. And, as marathon training often requires you to cover long distances such as 10-15 mile runs multiple times a week, simply running on a track or on park grass really isn’t an option.
Here at Treadmill Reviews, we know that treadmill training can be a tough transition from outdoor running. But there are several things that recommend treadmill training for your next marathon.
Impact Reduction – A treadmill’s cushioned deck can help support and protect you during your treadmill marathon training cycle. The best treadmill manufacturers often can reduce up to 40% of the impact of running, thanks to superior cushioning.
This reduction of impact can help, especially as you need to do longer and longer runs back-to-back so that your joints don’t become strained with the demands of your training.
Weather Control – As anyone who has trained even for half marathons can tell you, the weather often doesn’t cooperate with your training schedule. Instead of pushing through extreme temperatures and unpredictable weather patterns, you can choose to run inside on a treadmill where you can control your running conditions completely.
Greater Safety – Running outside can be inherently dangerous. Not only do you have to watch for other pedestrians and vehicles, but road conditions can leave a lot to be desired. Rather than court a twisted ankle or worse, running indoors on a treadmill can keep you away from these dangers.
Also, treadmills can help when you don’t live in an area where you are comfortable running outside, especially since many adults have to run in either the early morning dark or after dusk. By using a treadmill for your marathon training, you can provide yourself with a much higher safety factor.
More Entertainment Options – Some runners believe that you shouldn’t have any distractions when you run, and you should immerse yourself in the act of simply moving and running. While there is a certain amount of meditative merit to that kind of running, if it’s not for you, then you shouldn’t force yourself, especially if it leads to you ending up dreading your runs. And training for a marathon will take many long hours, whether you choose to run inside or outside.
So, to help make the miles pass more easily, you can try a variety of entertainment options, especially if you are safely on a treadmill. Things, like watching TV or streaming something, listening to podcasts and audiobooks instead of keeping an ear out for traffic, can be much more fun. Also, if you have a NordicTrack treadmill, you may also have access to iFit Coach, which allows you to use the built-in touchscreen to access scenic videos shot around the world.
Balance The Ideal Workout Conditions With Added Stress
With all the extra benefits that a treadmill can provide you with can actively reduce the real stress, a race will put on your body. While that can be considered a downside of treadmill training, you can compensate for the greater ease that treadmills provide as you train.
Using Your Treadmill Incline
One of the biggest benefits that you can receive when using a treadmill is the incline function. If you are marathon training, we recommend that you have a treadmill that can incline up to 15% at least, and preferably have some decline functionality. With this added functionality, you can simulate running outside more effectively.
Also, if you live in a particularly flat area, incline training on a treadmill is a key way to prepare your body for the strain of running uphill and the impact of downhill running. By adding incline training to your marathon training, you can strengthen your legs, so you aren’t one of the people left floundering when hills appear.
Add Weightlifting To Your Cross-Training
Along with adding hill training to your workouts, you should include weightlifting to your cross-training days. Many people tend to focus on other endurance activities like cycling and using an elliptical on their non-running days. But these activities don’t do much to build up the auxiliary muscles that support your joints.
But weightlifting can help you target the muscles that are not always triggered by distance running. These muscles can help support your knees, ankles, and hips as you run and help take the stress off your other muscles. Also, lifting heavy can help build up your bone density and prevent common runner injuries such as shin splints and keep hairline fractures from developing due to constant impact.
Commit To Weekly Interval Runs
You can add extra stress to your treadmill runs by committing to interval workouts at least once a week. Many runners avoid intervals like the plague, as this type of workout pushes you to the edge of your endurance and a little beyond. However, doing interval runs can not only compensate for the easier environment of the treadmill, but it can help improve your overall performance.
Mix In Outdoor Training Runs To Shake Things Up
Now, even if you are okay with doing all your marathon training on your treadmill, you may want to take the occasional run outside. Running outdoors can help re-acclimate you to how it feels to run outside and provide you with a needed change of pace. Because no matter what kind of entertainment you enjoy on your treadmill, the mental endurance needed to run long distances can require you to change things up to keep your mind and body engaged.
A good time to take an outdoor run is on your long run days. These days usually fall on the weekend, so you can plot out the best time, rather than trying to plan around weekday responsibilities. We recommend you use Google Maps or other mapping tech to help plan out the best route and ensure that it is long enough to meet your long run requirements.
Ensure Your Treadmill Is Up For Marathon Training
Not all treadmills are designed to withstand the pounding that comes with intense marathon training. And even if you don’t break down a flimsy treadmill, using a cheap treadmill can be very uncomfortable.
If you don’t have a treadmill or have a treadmill that isn’t up to your training needs, you may want to check out the best treadmills of 2019. Not all of them are rated for marathon training, but many are, and you can more easily find the right treadmill for your needs.
If you don’t have a treadmill or have a treadmill that isn’t up to your training needs, you may want to check out the best treadmills of the year. Not all of them are rated for marathon training, but many are, and you can more easily find the right treadmill for your needs.
That way, with the right treadmill, no matter what season your big marathon is held in, you can train effectively for it by using a durable treadmill.
