Don't Dread the Tread

First a disclaimer.  I'm not a big treadmill proponent.  I've called it the dreadmill just like plenty of other runners.  I'm nearly always much happier running outside, regardless of the weather conditions.

Yet I do tread the mill once in awhile.  I suppose I've seen the light, at least a little (the snow's been blocking out most of the light), and acknowledge that there is a place in my running life for the once dreaded tread, and so will share my incredibly poignant insights.

What Do the "Experts" Say?

In the running magazines, much has been written about how treadmills can complement or even replace outdoor running.
 

 In a not-so-recent Runner's World article, some of the benefits that are noted are that:

"Parents with young children have found that a treadmill allows them to watch their kids and get in a workout at the same time. When doing a long run, you have a ready supply of sports drinks and energy bars. Or, you can watch an instructional video or listen to language tapes while running safely on a treadmill. Some cognitive psychologists have even suggested that the mind is particularly receptive to new materials while you're running."

Another Runner's World article recommends four different treadmill workouts.  It's concluded that "by regularly running treadmill workouts like these, you can develop a better sense of pace, increase your running economy and learn to deal with hills more efficiently. Best of all, come spring, you'll be ready to set some new PRs."  

But Does Treadmill-Training Work for Racing? 

Antonio Vega

Well, it's worked for Antonio Vega. After running 120 miles per week on a treadmill (holy cow! is he nuts?) all winter in Minnesota, Antonio Vega won the National Half Marathon Championship at the Aramco Houston Half Marathon in January 2010 in 1:01:54.

Vega says running the treadmill made him mentally tougher by training him to keep going when he wanted to stop, and that it carries over to racing when he feels like slowing down.   

Okay, But What Does Dave Say?

Yes, of course, this is the question that all you many many readers want answered.  What does Dave have to say about all this?  Well, first of all, I won't be running 120 miles per week, either outdoors or on a treadmill.

Yet, at the risk of being smacked by Francine A, whose intrepid 6AM Flyers running group that I love to run with is giddily notorious for running outside through scorching heat, abominable blizzards, and probably gunfire if put to the test, nevertheless, I shall confess that I've found a small niche for the treadmill within my own training.

I've only treadmilled several times this winter, and I think once last summer.  But I have no regrets and I think there can be benefits for me.

During this past insanely hot and humid summer, a topic of discussion I had with John W, Lisa S, Mike C and others in between profanity-laced rants at Mother Nature was whether or not this would toughen us up, wear us down, or have no impact. 

Dave: "John, what do you think?"  John: "I think we should have another beer."

I don't know the answer.  But one day I just couldn't take it anymore and hit the treadmill for one summer run.  And then I hugged and kissed that treadmill when I finished my air-conditioned run (my wife is still a bit concerned about that).  

I concluded that treadmilling had been a good idea.  I ran faster than I would have outside, and further, too, since I wouldn't have dragged myself out at all that day.  And perhaps I avoided heat sickness, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or instant death.

This winter I've also made use of the treadmill on several occasions.  These were days when I probably could have slogged through the snow or slipped along slowly on the ice hoping not to break my neck.

Instead, the treadmill enabled me each time to get in a run that was productive for my training.  I ran much faster and safer than would have be possible in the icy outdoors.  Admittedly it was far less scenic, and so maybe I lost out in the long-run (although this was a short run (sorry :)  But I could enjoy the winter wonderland later in the day stomping around in hiking boots, and maybe there's nothing wrong with that?

Plus, I've found the treadmill to be great for speedwork.  I really liked the precision, for example, when I recently ran 1-mile repeats on the treadmill.  I had no choice but to keep up the ambitious pace I set for myself (pressing the button that slows it down would have been wimpy of me, and so was not an option), and I enjoyed the anal-retentive pleasure of keeping that exact pace throughout each mile, along with my pre-determined half-mile jogging pace in between each repeat.  Ahhhhh.

Don't get me wrong.  I'm not saying everyone should come off the roads and paths and woods to run in place like a hamster. 

I still avoid the treadmill whenever possible, as I much prefer to run outdoors.  But I no longer call it the dreadmill, and I still sneak a kiss of the handlebars every now and then at the gym when my wife's not looking.......

Dave K.