18 Replies to “Rule Your Running Terrain: Because races aren’t done on a treadmill”
Perfect post since I just finished my long run for the week. I hate the treadmill but have used it more this winter than in the past since the weather conditions have been less than ideal this year. I just finished up my run outside and with a half coming up in 3 weeks, I tend to focus on making sure as many of my runs as possible occur outdoors. I find the treadmill is fine to get a run/workout in, even to work on speed, but nothing prepares me better for a race than actually running on pavement. I like to throw in some hill runs as well just to diversify myself and be prepared for hills that may come up in a race.
Such a helpful post Cait! And you are right – terrain makes such a difference. Downhills are also very much under-rated! I actually find them harder than uphills if the slope is steep, because it’s so hard to maintain correct form and my knees inevitably protest.
Oooh yah. This one’s been on my mind a lot lately – I wish I could fit hill running, trail running. grass and road into my plan every week! I feel like I do a little too much on the treadie right now (it was 2 out of 4 runs for a while), but I think I’m back down to just intervals on the treadmill – and whatever, it makes me happy.
Trail running is bliss, and hills definitely make a difference!
haha…i can totally relate to actually LOVING the treadmill. i’ve gone thru phases where i had to force myself outside…but if u’re alone and need a good push to keep u honest on those intervals the tready can help!
Hills build machines! Is there anything better than overtaking (or chicking as the case may be) ON A HILL 😛
Great post timing for me too. I’m hoping I’ve covered the hills in my session to prepare me for race day but I am suddenly stressing about weather. I have trained all through the Aussie summer and now I am going to race in our coldest state. I expect to be racing in a temperature that is no where near what I have been training in. AHHHH! So I will definitely take your tip and be extra diligent with my warm up!!! :=)
It’s going to help you so much! I always found it sooooo much easier running in Canberra after training in Sydney (or Melbourne, for that matter). Your body is going to love you – and you’re smart enough to warm up 🙂
isn’t that murphy’s law?!?! 😛 but actually, if i had to pick one way to go, training in HEAT and then being able to race in a cooler temp, so long as u do a good warm-up, will prolly work to ur advantage. heat running is SOO taxing, u’ve been working over-time so the temp drop should make those paces feel easier. that said, how cold is the temp???
I live in a really hilly area, so hill training pretty much happens anytime I step out my door for a run. I’ve definitely seen a direct effect from running hills every day when I run a flat/flatter race course. I feel so much stronger. Thanks for the great tips about different types of training/their benefits and drafting during a race!
I prefer road races, but predict I may switch over to trail races some day. I’d say I prepare for various weather conditions by running in just about all types of weather during training. I don’t have a treadmill, so I always run outside and the only time I don’t go is when its really bad.
I prefer road and trail races. I like to train in trails once in a while ‘coz it’s more forgiving to my knees. I live in Cincinnati which is perfect. I get a lot of hill training.
I do my training outside. I like the roads better than the treadmill. I try to run in various conditions to prepare myself. My last race, I ran through sleet. Not really a good experience.
ya, sleet running in a race…doesn’t sound like a ton of fun but it certainly makes for good stories afterward!! and hey, makes u tougher!
thank you so very much for the nomination, Ja! 🙂
Great post! I’ll admit, I’m guilty of running too many miles on the treadmill when the Wisconsin winter weather gets nasty, which has led to a few imbalances. But now that the weather is getting nicer, I’m excited to run more miles on the roads since that is where I do the majority of my racing.
Perfect post since I just finished my long run for the week. I hate the treadmill but have used it more this winter than in the past since the weather conditions have been less than ideal this year. I just finished up my run outside and with a half coming up in 3 weeks, I tend to focus on making sure as many of my runs as possible occur outdoors. I find the treadmill is fine to get a run/workout in, even to work on speed, but nothing prepares me better for a race than actually running on pavement. I like to throw in some hill runs as well just to diversify myself and be prepared for hills that may come up in a race.
haha…glad the timing worked out just right!! i agree, if u can get outside i think it beats the treadmill. 🙂
Such a helpful post Cait! And you are right – terrain makes such a difference. Downhills are also very much under-rated! I actually find them harder than uphills if the slope is steep, because it’s so hard to maintain correct form and my knees inevitably protest.
thanks! and you’re spot on about those downhills! 🙂
Oooh yah. This one’s been on my mind a lot lately – I wish I could fit hill running, trail running. grass and road into my plan every week! I feel like I do a little too much on the treadie right now (it was 2 out of 4 runs for a while), but I think I’m back down to just intervals on the treadmill – and whatever, it makes me happy.
Trail running is bliss, and hills definitely make a difference!
haha…i can totally relate to actually LOVING the treadmill. i’ve gone thru phases where i had to force myself outside…but if u’re alone and need a good push to keep u honest on those intervals the tready can help!
Hills build machines! Is there anything better than overtaking (or chicking as the case may be) ON A HILL 😛
Great post timing for me too. I’m hoping I’ve covered the hills in my session to prepare me for race day but I am suddenly stressing about weather. I have trained all through the Aussie summer and now I am going to race in our coldest state. I expect to be racing in a temperature that is no where near what I have been training in. AHHHH! So I will definitely take your tip and be extra diligent with my warm up!!! :=)
It’s going to help you so much! I always found it sooooo much easier running in Canberra after training in Sydney (or Melbourne, for that matter). Your body is going to love you – and you’re smart enough to warm up 🙂
isn’t that murphy’s law?!?! 😛 but actually, if i had to pick one way to go, training in HEAT and then being able to race in a cooler temp, so long as u do a good warm-up, will prolly work to ur advantage. heat running is SOO taxing, u’ve been working over-time so the temp drop should make those paces feel easier. that said, how cold is the temp???
I live in a really hilly area, so hill training pretty much happens anytime I step out my door for a run. I’ve definitely seen a direct effect from running hills every day when I run a flat/flatter race course. I feel so much stronger. Thanks for the great tips about different types of training/their benefits and drafting during a race!
I prefer road races, but predict I may switch over to trail races some day. I’d say I prepare for various weather conditions by running in just about all types of weather during training. I don’t have a treadmill, so I always run outside and the only time I don’t go is when its really bad.
haha…the perma-hill terrain! 😉 i lived in a place like that, certainly builds the tolerance for the incline. haha
I prefer road and trail races. I like to train in trails once in a while ‘coz it’s more forgiving to my knees. I live in Cincinnati which is perfect. I get a lot of hill training.
I do my training outside. I like the roads better than the treadmill. I try to run in various conditions to prepare myself. My last race, I ran through sleet. Not really a good experience.
By the way, I nominated you for Liebster Blog Award. Check it here –> http://athletewithinja.wordpress.com/2013/03/24/long-over-due-liebster-award/
Thanks.
ya, sleet running in a race…doesn’t sound like a ton of fun but it certainly makes for good stories afterward!! and hey, makes u tougher!
thank you so very much for the nomination, Ja! 🙂
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Great post! I’ll admit, I’m guilty of running too many miles on the treadmill when the Wisconsin winter weather gets nasty, which has led to a few imbalances. But now that the weather is getting nicer, I’m excited to run more miles on the roads since that is where I do the majority of my racing.
i live in CA, i know i’d never survive a ‘real’ winter like u guys get!! 😛
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