My blog http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions Just another WordPress site Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:41:48 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Can I train for a half marathon on a treadmill? http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/can-i-train-for-a-half-marathon-on-a-treadmill/ http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/can-i-train-for-a-half-marathon-on-a-treadmill/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 04:31:33 +0000 admin http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/?p=8 Yes, of course! Training on a treadmill is going to get you fitter and stronger just like running outside, BUT….I wouldn’t recommend it. Why?

5 Reasons not to do all your Half Marathon Training on the Treadmill

1) No wind resistance that you get while running outside
2) No terrain variety. Your feet will plant the exact way all the time, they will not use other muscles because they won’t have any tree roots to step over, curbs to step down from, camber in the road, etc, they will just move in the same manner for the complete run which doesn’t give surrounding muscles any exersize and tires out the ones you are using.
3) It is more difficult mentally for some people anyway to stay on a treadmill for extended periods
4) The treadmill may not be calibrated properly which may lead you to believe you are running faster or slower than indicated
5) Solidarity. Yes, you can probably put on a movie, listen to your iPod, etc, to keep you entertained, but you will miss out on the joy of conversation while running outside with a group. Group running makes the runs go by so fast, it also makes it easier to get out the door for a run when you know someone is waiting for you.

 

If you do decide to train for a Half Marathon on the treadmill, follow these tips.

 

5 Tips for Half Marathon Training on a Treadmill

1) Set the treadmill at 1% minimum incline. This will help mimic the wind resistance you get when running outside so when you do get outside, it won’t feel more difficult than running the same pace on the treadmill
2) Vary the terrain. Ok, so you won’t have natural hills, tree roots and curbs to navigate, but try varying the incline and / or incline. Increase the incline for 1 minute, then go back to the starting point. Try increasing the incline to various grades, play with the amount of time as well. Have fun with it.
3) Vary the pace. When running outside, you will never stay exactly at a certain pace, so mix it up on the treadmill as well.
4) Fill up you iPod. The longer you run, the more difficult it will be to stick it out on the treadmill, so download some podcasts or music you like to listen to, anything that will keep you motivated and keep your mind off the clock
5) Try to at least get outside one day per week so that on half marathon day, running outside will not be completely foreign to your body

]]> http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/can-i-train-for-a-half-marathon-on-a-treadmill/feed/ 0 What pace should the half-marathon be run at? http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/what-pace-should-the-half-marathon-be-run-at/ http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/what-pace-should-the-half-marathon-be-run-at/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:52:18 +0000 admin http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/?p=6 The half marathon should be run at or just below your lactate-threshold pace which is a pace that you should be able to hold for at least an hour or more.

To find out what your LT pace is, you can run a 5k race or even just do a 2 mile time trial, however, I believe a race is more indicative of what you are capable of then just doing a time trial on your own.

Once you have your 5k time, use a running calculator such as the McMillan Running Calculator or runbayou.com to find out what your threshold pace though be. Use the pace you found as a good starting point. For example, lets say you ran a 5k in 19 minutes flat, if you enter that time into the McMillan calculator, it tells you that you should be able to run a 1/2 marathon in 1:27:50. It also tells you that your tempo pace (or LT pace) should be between 6:26 and 6:43 per mile.

]]> http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/what-pace-should-the-half-marathon-be-run-at/feed/ 0 How long is a half marathon? http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/how-long-is-a-half-marathon/ http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/how-long-is-a-half-marathon/#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:48:23 +0000 admin http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/?p=4 A half marathon is officially 13.1094 miles long, or 21.0975 kilometers. Half marathons have been growing in popularity over the years probably because it is a challenge to complete one, but does not take the same time commitment as training for a full marathon. ]]> http://half-marathon-calendar.com/questions/how-long-is-a-half-marathon/feed/ 0