Comments on: Running on a Treadmill Increases Injury Risk?

By: kch

kch — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:27:17 +0000

@Julie - Sorry to hear about your injury problems. It is tough to train in the winter without using the treadmill though, at least if you live somewhere cold/icy/snowy or you’re trying to avoid running in the dark.

I guess the answer, if you have to train on a treadmill, is to be ultra-conscious of your form, which can be difficult. Like you, I’m trying to minimize my time on the treadmill.

By: Julie

Julie — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 19:20:58 +0000

Ran across your site while trying to decide how I want to train for my next marathon since my last round didn’t quite turn out as expected.

What went awry? Developed a case of plantar fasciitis, as well as shin splints.

What was I doing more of than I have ever done in the past? Treadmill running. Due to winter conditions and the need to log runs in the wee hrs of the morning, I was hitting the gym for 6+ mile runs on the treadmill several times a week.

I’ll be avoiding the treadmill as much as possible for my next 1/2 & full marathon training.

By: jonathan

jonathan — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 16:08:40 +0000

Treadmills are a required evil. Because they (usually) cost a lot of money, people think they must do you some good…

Also, people tend to run outside based on feel or perception - “That hill was a bit steep, I’ slow down a bit” is instinctive.

People don’t think in mph or kph but suddenly do when they are on a treadmill

By: crossn81

crossn81 — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:17:45 +0000

I would agree! Although I’m not sure about exaggerating the pain of plantar fasciitis, I developed something more along the lines of shin splits when I was doing treadmill running a couple of days in a row at a hotel gym. I hate treadmills so that gave me a good reason to avoid them!