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The Treadmill Marathon

January 26, 2015 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP 38 Comments

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Last Updated on March 13, 2022 by Heather Hart, ACSM EP

Saturday morning the alarm went off at 5:30 am.  It didn’t matter much, as I had been awake since about 4:30 am.  It was the morning of the Arena Attack indoor marathon in Hartford, Connecticut, and I was far too excited, and so nervous that we might somehow miss the alarm, that I couldn’t fall asleep.  I popped out of bed, got dressed, posted a picture of me body gliding my feet to instagram (it’s what running bloggers do), grabbed my bags and my boyfriend, and out the door we went.  I knew the weather was supposed to be questionable, but I was pleased to see that nothing was falling from the sky when we stepped out the door.

At least, not yet.

In the 15 minutes it took us to drive one exit South where we stopped for gas and the ever necessary road trip Dunkin Donuts, the sky had opened up and snow was coming down fast.  I brushed it off (literally); this was Vermont after all, driving in snow during January is to be expected.  So after fueling up on gas, coffee, and a few donuts (shh, it’s carb loading), we continued on our journey towards Hartford.  Within minutes the snow became so bad I couldn’t see the road.  Traffic on the interstate had slowed down to a mere crawl.   In the back of my head, the part where my mom and dad’s incessant safety warnings over the past three decades have taken up residency, I knew attempting to make this 1.5 hour trek was a bad idea.   But I really, REALLY wanted to run this race, so I kept my thoughts to myself and trudged forward.

As we slowly crawled across the Vermont/Massachusetts border, the voice of reason, otherwise known as Geoffrey,  gently coaxed me into turning around.  Even if we made it to the race safely, we would most definitely be late at the slow pace traffic was currently moving.   I knew he was right, so about 25 miles from home, I turned around.  Despite the fact that my car almost slid off the road as I entered the North bound entrance ramp, I was still disappointed.

Actually, disappointed is an understatement.  I tried to check my attitude and hold it together, but internally I was worse than a 3 year old denied candy at the grocery store checkout lane.  So I silently fumed. OF ALL DAYS MOTHER NATURE, you had to pick this one?!   Realistically, I knew getting so upset over missing a race was such a trivial, ridiculous thing.  Not crashing my car in a snow storm(or worse) should have been a bigger concern.  But running an organized indoor marathon was a bucket list item for me, and something that is surprisingly hard to come by.   Plus I had spent the week (sort of) tapering, not to mention fueling, with every intention of running 26.2 damn miles.  It was such a massive let down.

So I decided I was going to do it anyway.

Sunday morning, Geoff was amazing enough to volunteer to cover my shift at the gym.   With freshly body glided feet, I unlocked the gym doors and immediately staked claim to my treadmill.  It may sound silly, but when you spend enough time in a gym you learn to love certain pieces of equipment more than others, even if they are essentially the exact same thing.   I put on my hydration pack, set the treadmill to an easy pace (6.3 mph/ 9:31 minutes) turned on the TV, and started running.

Like most runners, I’ve previously had a love/hate relationships with treadmills.   There have been days when it’s all I can do to struggle through a 3 mile run.  Then there are others, like the week before, where 10 miles came easily.  To be honest, my longest treadmill run to date had been 10 miles, so attempting to run 26+ was indeed a stretch.  But I had this insane desire in my head to run a marathon, and damnit, I was going to do it.

So, how does one recap a treadmill marathon?   “The course was flat and pretty straight forward” might sum it up.

Here’s the run down:

Interval 1: 2.35 miles  The 5 hour energy I drank kicked in, and I already needed a bathroom break.  Geoff taped a piece of paper and a sharpie to the treadmill so I could keep track of distances and times, mainly because the treadmills at our gym are highly unpredictable.  Regardless, I would put the treadmill on 0.05 mph (the slowest it goes, barely a turtle walk) in order to keep the clock going.  Guess who forgot their watch AND fitbit at home that day?

Interval 2: 10.1 miles  Despite leaving the treadmill running, I managed to hit the emergency “stop” button on the side of the treadmill as I hopped back on.  This is going well already.  Restart.  Back to running.  Interval 2 went by surprisingly went by fast.  I gave up on watching TV about 20 minutes in and handed the reigns, I mean remote, over to another gym goer.   I put on my ipod and just zoned out.  I was genuinely just happy to be running.  Every now and then a gym member would swing by to talk to me.   That morning I had felt like a jerk for bogarting a coveted treadmill for WELL over the 20 minute recommended time frame.  But everyone was incredibly supportive of my marathon attempt, if not slightly concerned for my sanity.

I ate a single Clif Bar Shot Bloks* every two miles,  swallowed Hammer Nutrition Endurolytes* every hour, drank water whenever I felt like taking a sip.  It was surprisingly hot in the gym for once (I swear I’m always freezing in there!) so I drank A LOT of water.  As a result, I believe I had two bathroom breaks in this interval.  The treadmill automatically stops at 99 minutes and 30 seconds, which for the record is 79 minutes and 30 seconds longer than the recommended 20 minutes during busy times gym guideline.

treadmill marathon 1

Interval 3: 4.82 miles  At about 17 miles in, I was starting to chafe on the inner part of my upper arm where my hydration pack was rubbing.  I called Geoff over and asked him to grab the Body Glide out of the bag behind me.  At that moment he asked me what my current stats were, and thank goodness he did, because as soon as I said them out loud, the treadmill stopped.  Not only did it stop, but the screen went black.  Nothing stops your heart like going from a full on run to standing still in the matter of two seconds.   I turned around to see Geoff digging through my bag…with the plug to the treadmill dangling behind his back leg, completely unplugged from the wall.   Not going to lie kids: I turned into a bitch for a minute.  “Shit! I can’t believer that happened!  Fuck, fuck, FUCK!! ” they all came out of my mouth.  Geoff reminded me that I just TOLD him the numbers I had JUST read from the screen, he repeated them again and told me to write them down.  And to calm down.  And to quit being a jerk.  He was right, of course, but at 17.2 miles in, my brain was starting to turn to mush.  Math was becoming harder by the minute and I was just a few miles away from entering survival mode; at this point even the tiniest thing felt like a huge deal.  And really, it was not a big deal.  Sorry Geoff.

Regardless, the treadmill was plugged back in, my arms got a fresh coat of Body Glide, and I started what I hoped would be the last interval.  (Note, I added two minutes onto my time here to account for the unplugging and subsequent body gliding)

Interval 4: 9.02 miles  I cruised through the next three miles before everything started to fall apart.   I hit that “you didn’t train for this” wall that I just KNEW was coming.

running_1thewall1

From: The Terrible and Wonderful Reasons Why I Run Long Distances

Mentally, I felt great (for the time being).  My cardiovascular endurance felt great, my breathing was calm, my heart rate low.  My legs on the other hand, were on FIRE.  I was starting to get really hot, so I took an extra endurolyte and asked Geoff to water down my buff (headband) to help keep me cool.   My new game plan was to run one mile, walk for a minute or two.   To be quite honest, this is where I felt that running on a treadmill was an advantage.    When your legs hurt as much as they do on at the end of a marathon, it’s so easy to stop and take a walk break.  Not as easy when you are on a treadmill.  You have to actually go through the process of pushing buttons instead of simply stopping, and frankly that was far too much effort, so I just kept running.   My breathing started to become labored for the first time all day.  I was hungry, tired, and slightly dizzy, likely from running in place for the past 4 hours.  I was ready to be DONE, but wouldn’t quit just yet.

With two miles left, our friend Mike came over to check on me.  He laughed at how ridiculous this was as I told him my legs hurt so _____(insert your choice of expletive here) bad.  When I told him “I want a finishers medal for this” he scrambled off towards the front desk.  Out of the corner of my eye I could see two grown men in their 40’s cutting and pasting feverishly.  It made me laugh, but only for a few seconds.  I had a “race” to finish.

The very last mile was slightly easier.  I so desperately wanted to be done that I cranked the speed up to 6.6 mph and just ran.

And then it was over.

I was presented with the most ridiculous, amazing finishers medal I have ever seen.

treadmill marathon 2

One day I will purchase a cell phone worthy of non blurry photos. Until then, you get these fuzzy fun pics.

I couldn’t stop laughing.  According to my medal, I took 1st place in the treadmill marathon.  First place out of four: it was me against my legs, monotony, and the voice in my head  (you know, the Blerch).

treadmill marathon 3

If my calculations were correct (questionable, as math is really, really hard after running for hours) the run took me 4:21:42 to cover 26.29 miles, including all rest breaks and the accidental loss of electricity.

WHAT I LEARNED FROM MY TREADMILL MARATHON:

1) Treadmills don’t suck as much as I previously thought.  It’s all about attitude.  Think the treadmill is going to be boring, and it will be boring.

2) My body is capable of amazing things.   I haven’t run more than 10 miles in a very, very long time.  Yet I was able to relatively easily run a marathon.  That’s pretty cool.

But that said…

3) How in the WORLD do you people run 50, 100, or even longer races?  I really have my sights set on doing longer distances this year.  I can only hope that with proper training (notice a trend here?) the legs become accustomed to longer distances. It all makes sense in theory, but the DOMS I’m experiencing right now makes me skeptical.

4) I’ve finally, FINALLY, got my long distance nutrition down.  I had zero stomach/GI issues during the run, and none after.  More notably, I wasn’t feeling bloated at the end of the run, as I typically do.

5) I really like to run.  Which is great, or a treadmill marathon would have been a horrible idea.

______________________________________________

*Amazon affiliate links used in this post.

Filed Under: Heather's Rambling

About Heather Hart, ACSM EP

Heather Hart is an ACSM certified Exercise Physiologist, UESCA certified Ultrarunning Coach, RRCA certified Running Coach, co-founder of Hart Strength and Endurance Coaching, and creator of this site, Relentless Forward Commotion.   She is a mom of two teen boys, and has been running and racing distances of 5K to 100+ miles for over a decade.  Heather has been writing and encouraging others to find a love for fitness and movement since 2009.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Fat Boy Big Wall

    January 26, 2015 at 12:05 pm

    I’m not one to care about finishers medals, but that one is pretty cool. Great story!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 26, 2015 at 12:06 pm

      It is in fact, my favorite medal to date 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. Strength and Sunshine

    January 26, 2015 at 1:22 pm

    You are so stellar my friend! Way to go! I would have been so mad if I wasn’t able to do what I set out to do! I would have been like you and SOMEHOW accomplished it! You did just that and kept yourself safe from the elements! Seriously, you rock! XOXO

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Thank you Rebecca!! 🙂

      Reply
  3. cottercrunch

    January 26, 2015 at 1:44 pm

    wow! you are amazing. I’ve made it 12 on the treadmill. and now i get vertigo. haha, no treadmill since. Yay for fun medals! LOL!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:22 am

      Seriously, that medal is the best part! 😉

      Reply
  4. Hannah Hawley (@sirenical)

    January 26, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    You. Are. CRAZY! But that is why I love you.

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Love you too lady!

      Reply
  5. Bonnie Lang (@bonnielang)

    January 26, 2015 at 1:58 pm

    Amazing job! A marathon in general but one on a treadmill? That’s no joke. Loved what you said about the treadmill being all about attitude…really true!

    I have only 1 run marathon before and my story is similar – there was a once-in-200-years-flood that washed the highway out where the marathon was supposed to be…I couldn’t get there anyways, but with all the craziness around the city and surrounding cities, the marathon was cancelled. I was SO disappointed (I know just how you feel!) but ended up running my own with my mom and husband on bikes around me. Anti-climactic but also incredible at the same time! (Here’s my story: http://survivethrive.org/the-inaugural-waterton-marathon-an-expected-weekend/)

    WAY TO GO!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:21 am

      Hi Bonnie! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your story! Yeah, the disappointment after so much anticipation is AWFUL! I’m glad you were able to put in your 26.2 despite the cancelation! 🙂

      Reply
  6. [email protected]

    January 26, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    Holy heck you’re my hero! I also have this strange desire to do this just to say I’ve done it – is that weird? Maybe I’ll start with a smaller distance! Great job conquering it!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:20 am

      Not weird at all! That’s the exact reason I have a strange desire to run 100 miles 😉 Not on a treadmill though, haha!

      Reply
  7. Patty @ Reach Your Peak

    January 26, 2015 at 4:15 pm

    I saw this on your instagram and thought that’s awesome! I can’t even run over 3 miles on the treadmill I get so bored. Good for you and congrats on 26.2!!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:19 am

      Thank you Patty ! 🙂

      Reply
  8. Kerri (@KerriOlkjer)

    January 26, 2015 at 5:44 pm

    So bummed you had to miss your race, but WOOHOOO! That’s amazing. I had to do one of my long runs on the treadmill. 8…12 miles? One of those. It’s mentally tough.

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:19 am

      Yeah, the scenery did get a little boring, but the people watching was great!

      Reply
  9. Colorado Gal

    January 26, 2015 at 7:31 pm

    When I saw you were doing this, I thought you were a lunatic but well done! 🙂 Love how you didn’t let the weather deter your plans!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Running does make me a little crazy!

      Reply
  10. Christine @ Love, Life, Surf

    January 26, 2015 at 9:33 pm

    I was so bummed for you when I saw that you couldn’t make the race but so amazed that you ran this on your own. You are amazing. I’ve run 12 miles on the treadmill before and oy! That was enough for me!! Awesome job.

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:18 am

      Thanks Christine! I think once you have a # of miles set in your head, it makes it easier. Like, if you think “I’m only going to run 10 miles”, then mile 8, 9, & 10 are hard. But if you know you are going to run 26, no if ands or buts, then the first 20 aren’t so bad. Runner logic! 😉

      Reply
  11. organicsandra

    January 26, 2015 at 9:38 pm

    You are a beast! Woohoo! Congrats on making it through your crazy treadmill marathon and even though it was the race you wanted you conquered it! truly a story to remember!

    Reply
    • Heather

      January 27, 2015 at 8:17 am

      Thank you Sandra!!! 🙂

      Reply
  12. Theodora

    January 27, 2015 at 8:49 am

    So badass.

    Reply
  13. Linda @ The Fitty

    January 27, 2015 at 8:55 am

    You’re fantastic, sstubborn, and so dedicated! I can’t believe. you did it all on the treadmill, I’m super proud of you.

    Reply
  14. Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner

    January 27, 2015 at 9:00 am

    ha love it! I could never do a marathon on a treadmill!! I would die of boredom and probably die anyway 🙂 congrats that awesome!

    Reply
  15. Kelly

    January 27, 2015 at 9:09 am

    This is awesome! I would have been so disappointed about missing the actual indoor race (which I had NO idea existed, btw!) but CONGRATS for doing your own! I have been thinking about doing a marathon on a treadmill for awhile, but our gym’s treadmills cut off at 60 minutes :/ You’re amazing – congrats!

    Reply
  16. Pretty Little Grub

    January 27, 2015 at 9:43 am

    I’m in awe that you did this! It’s too bad you missed the official race but it seems your medal and experience was way cooler anyways!

    Reply
  17. Lisa

    January 27, 2015 at 10:28 am

    I can’t believe you did a marathon on a treadmill! LOVE that finisher’s medal!

    Reply
  18. Elle

    January 27, 2015 at 10:29 am

    Wow! Cannot imagine a treadmill marathon. You are such a BEAST!

    Reply
  19. TeamFitMommy

    January 27, 2015 at 5:12 pm

    WOW! You ROCK Heather! What a creative way to do a marathon! It is not one of my goals but I can appreciate your love of running! Way to Go!

    Reply
  20. Femme Fitale Fit Club

    January 27, 2015 at 8:41 pm

    Oh my word kudos to you because I don’t believe I could do it. You are a SHERO!!!

    Reply
  21. Safari

    January 27, 2015 at 9:56 pm

    WoW!!! This is absolutely AMAZIN!!!! I struggled to run 8 miles on the treadmill last weekend…can not IMAGINE 26.2 miles!!! I, too, have a goal of running a 50 miler…perhaps even a 100 miler. But I definitely have to get faster before that happens. Again…I am in complete Utter AWE of you…you rock!!

    Reply
  22. Kate @KateMovingForward

    January 27, 2015 at 10:37 pm

    CONGRATULATIONS!! That is absolutely amazing! You earned that big, beautiful cardboard medal!

    Reply
  23. jillconyers

    January 28, 2015 at 5:02 am

    It’s definitely a good thing you like to run haha! #5 made me laugh 🙂 You my friend are going to rock the longer distances and when you do you will have been bitten by the ultra bug. Beyond a marathon is addicting.

    Reply
  24. Larisa Dixon (@0to26point2)

    January 28, 2015 at 6:34 am

    Ahhhhh girl you’re crazy! Lol! Love it

    Reply
  25. runningbuns

    February 3, 2015 at 2:00 pm

    This is SO awesome! If I wasn’t rehabbing a hip injury, I would soooo do this this weekend! Way to go!

    Reply
    • Heather

      February 4, 2015 at 11:04 am

      Thanks runningbuns! 🙂

      Reply

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I'm Heather, mom of two, ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist, and an overzealous athlete who cannot focus on a single discipline, so I train for all of them at the same time. When in doubt, I run...and then write about it. Read More…

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