It's winter, and I work long hours. That means that the bulk of my weekly runs are on the treadmill, because I leave home when it's dark outside and get home after dark in the evening. And I was getting to the point where I actually preferred the treadmill to a run outside. You're in a sad state, my friends, if you'd rather run on the treadmill than out in the fresh air - at least if the external temperature is over 35 degrees fahrenheit!
You may remember, too, that I want to get faster. Running the same treadmill run every week will maintain my fitness baseline, but I won't see any improvement. So, I did a little research and came across this little gem: Treadmill Effort Chart. And I realized that running on the treadmill without an incline is easier than running outside. I preferred the treadmill because it was easier than running outside - my innate lazy nature was coming out! I had to nip that in the bud.
So, for the last month I've been doing my treadmill runs on an incline for as long as I can stand it. I can hold a 3% incline at a 10:00 - 10:30 pace for 35 minutes now, and I expect to increase that to 45 minutes over the next month. It sucks. Massively. But I am getting stronger and more fit, and I hope I'll see some good results when I get back out on the road again this spring.
I have a half-marathon this weekend, but it's going to be cold so I don't think it will be a true test of my training. I think I'm going to have to wait until March or April to see if there's any benefit to all this incline running. I hope there is, because I'd hate to waste all this misery!
Good job on the dreadmill. And good luck this weekend! Maybe you'll be happily surprised!
ReplyDeleteI never run on the treadmill with an incline, but I have heard that it's easier than outside running. I must be weird, but running outside always feels easier to me than running on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteGood luck at your half!!
You are doing such an amazing job! I've said it before but it is worth repeating...you inspire me! Thanks for sharing the link. You know I NEED to read it and put it to use. I'm hoping to really step things up after my half. Good luck this weekend. I will be there cheering you on!
ReplyDeletegood luck this weekend. and good for you for making yourself use the incline. i know i should but unless i'm working on hills it's so hard to make myself!
ReplyDeleteGood luck this weekend! Sometimes we need to spice it up and try a different run. You should check out www.rebelrace.com
ReplyDeleteRebel Race offer a great 5k and 15k mud run with fun obstacles. Its something where you won't loose your concentration. The mud puts the fun back in running- lol.
While treadmill running is different than outside, they say that an incline of 1% is a close approximation in effort to running flat outside. If you're training on a 3% incline, I'm sure you'll see some serious improvements!
ReplyDeleteOoooh a 3% incline is badass! Go you! Good luck with your chilly half!
ReplyDeletea half marathon so soon? you are incredible you know that?
ReplyDeleteNormally 1 or 2% incline on treadmill equals running outside basing on wind resistance and road varieties. 3% incline sure gives you a minor challenge. Congrats your achievement on treadmills. Keep going.
ReplyDelete