Treadmill vs. Road - advice desperately needed

I'm training to run the half marathon in Disney in January. I've only been at it since August when I decided that my 140 lb weight loss justified me doing something completely out of character, and possibly insane.

In the past couple of months I've had some physical stuff going on that has interfered with me training consistently, and now that the weather has turned so cold (and I am so unable to tolerate it) I've started to use my treadmill in my basement.

I feel like I'm starting from scratch. It is SO hard to run. I can barely go for a quarter mile, and I don't know if I've just lost so much ground by backing off the training, or if the treadmill is that much harder than running on the road.

I was up to seven miles on the road, and I could push really hard to keep it just under 15 minutes per mile. If I can't do better, longer, and faster, I will fail at the Disney half marathon.

They only keep the course open for 3.5 hours, and if you don't get to certain points along the way by a certain time, they scoop you up onto the Shuttle of Shame and deposit you on the other side of the finish line.

I'm panicking and running out of time. Do you have anything you can share about the treadmill vs the road??

Thanks for any insight!

I too am intrested in this feedback, as I have recently had to move my runs indoors and onto the treadmill.   I find it harder to do treadmill as it requires you to maintain a consistent pace.

I have found the treadmill to be a mental drain more than a physical one.  I get bored.  I was under the impression (perhaps false) that treadmill running was physically easier in that it propelled you a bit and is easier on joints.

I'm sure this also depends on the kind of treadmill you have and its condition.

I'd be VERY surprised if you lost that much endurance though.  If you can, invest in some cold weather gear and try and get outside.... or to an indoor track.

I find it nearly impossible to strike a comfortable temperature balance outside on a cold day. First, I actually feel physical pain when I'm cold, so I put on hat, gloves, tights, wicking tank, wicking long sleeve, and performance pullover. I'm comfortable from the neck down, but my face is raw.

Then I start to sweat, and I start to take stuff off. But now my skin is damp and gets all chilled and clammy from the cold air.

Then I hit a shady spot and I freeze, so I put some stuff back on, then the whole thing starts all over again.

(I'm also a world-class whiner, in case you didn't already notice.)

I train on a treadmill during the weekdays and reserve my really long runs for the weekend. I've read a million times that treadmill training is actually really good as long as you combine your long runs on the road. It is supposed to be easier on the joints than running on the uneven road. It has helped me establish a good pace which has carried over for my road work. You can adjust the incline to hill train too. I personally have to do my treadmill work at a gym. I know if I put a gym bag together and go directly after work, I won't make excuses and ditch my run. Once, I show up...I'm all business. I've also been inspired my others working towards a goal at my gym too. The most I do on the treadmill is 8 miles at a time, everything else is reserved for the road. Love my treadmill work!!

You can do this! Don't let injury hold you back. It might take you few steps back before you can take a few steps forward for your goal, but it will happen. I'm running my first marathon on Sunday. I've battle and still battle with injury, but it's about finishing for me now. Best wishes to you!!!

Thank you for your encouraging words.

I actually find my treadmill harder on my knees and hips than the asphalt. Crazy, right? It doesn't make sense, but its true.

I also struggle just to maintain my balance on the thing, and I think that is diverting some of my energy.

ETA: Good luck on that marathon. What an awesome accomplishment!

I think the type of treadmill you are using is key. I used to own one that was designed for walking only. There wasn't a whole lot of motion control on it.  The ones at the gym are design for movement control and running. There is a big difference.  If you belong to a gym, give one a try. Big difference! Best wishes and thanks for the kind words of encouragement for my race.

That's a great idea. I haven't given up my membership at Planet Fitness, even though I haven't used it in forever. Maybe I'll give it a shot in the morning.

i train on the treadmill more than i train outside.  the treadmill is a little easier to train on for a number of reasons, 1) it is bouncier than the road, 2) no wind resistance, 3) no terrain changes, roads have small and large changes that require you to change your gait and foot strikes.  As mentioned above, it is also easier on the joints and can really help with interval work as you can track your pace/incline precisely.  As far as endurance and cardio, it is golden, no issues there.  I typically go by the rule of thumb that my pace/times on the TM can only be achieved outside under optimal conditions (flat, no wind, cool).  Also stated above, for training for longer distances, you still need to have some road runs to make sure your legs/bones are acclimated to the pounding of running on a tougher surface etc.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I guess I have to keep at it, I'm not really sure why I did better outside.

But yes, this wimp does require "optimal conditions." I'm too cranky to grin and bear it. I don't do suffering well. ;)