Treadmill-only training looks pretty legit to Lionel Sanders

So I guess you've changed your idea that just because an elite athlete does something it doesn't mean it applies to AG'ers, huh?   

No, I take each situation specifically. I'm not saying that all AGers SHOULD do what LS is doing, nor is he a model of the type of training a normal AGers should aspire to (you'd break yourself in the process.)

But for the specific arguments that you hear all the time on this forum that "TMs are NOT the real thing", "You need to train outdoors in addition to TM work", "it's a bad idea to only train on the TM only - you'll get slower", taking an example from one of the best world-class athletes who does almost entirely TM work is one of the best counterarguments to these situations.

Totally different situation than saying I'm endorsing what elites do as models of what AGers should aim to do - most AGers training should look nothing like professional triathletes or elite triathletes who can tolerate super high volume, high speeds, and don't have a job outside of triathlon to balance training with.

I bought my first treadmill last fall and glad I did.  We had a brutal amount of snow in Southern Ontario and I doubt that I could have managed 1 decent outdoor run a week.

Basically would have been forced to run on the indoor 100 meter track at the Y, which is just as mind-numbing as the treadmill IMO.

The added benefit is greater control for speedwork (even when running outdoors, I tend to do all speedwork at the Y on the treadmill) and for hill intervals (quite flat where I live).

I was worried whether the treadmill miles would translate to outdoor miles, and my n=1 experience is that they are comparable.

I had a 5K race a few weeks ago and was only a few seconds off my time from the same race last year with conditions being nearly identical.  

I guess I didn't realize that there was a strong belief that treadmills weren't "legit" methods for training.

I suppose you lack some specificity of running surface but if I was forced to do all my running inside for one reason or another, I wouldn't worry I was under-prepared. 

I would just not be very enjoyable. 

I think the not "legit" part refers to the speed.  running a 7 min mile on a treadmill may not translate to a 7 min mile on the road.  Probably depends on the age, quality, and maintenance of the equipment.

According to my (old, inaccurate) treadmill, and my basic calibration with my Garmin 220... a 12:00 mile on the treadmill translates to a 10:00 mile in real life Haha. 

haha! Yeah, how about RPE?

a 7:30 mile on the treadmill FEELS like hell  

Ah. Sure. I guess if we get into that. But I wouldn't really use that as some sort of argument that all treadmills are inferior training devices because you use one of these:

What it doesn't end is the argument that many people simply find running outdoors much more enjoyable. 

Oh, but there is definitely an widespread belief that it's 'not as good' to run only on a treadmill, meaning that you won't be as fast as you would be as you trained outside. Just search here at ST - this question comes up a lot, and there are always a big number of folks who say that you need the road impact in addition to TM training to get the full benefits. Ask on a marathon forum, and it's almost mantra for this 'you need to do a LITTLE outdoor running' to be the answer, which I think LS is proving isn't true.

As for running indoors ALL the time, I would hate that, and I'm a huge TM fan! I can't even fathom what it would be like to run 83 mpw for months, all indoors like LS does.

Hmmmm. I haven't really noticed that belief. I just don't know many people that do it because it's just not that enjoyable. Also as mentioned above, it can be hard to find one that's calibrated correctly. 

A treadmill is an extremely controlled environment and I can absolutely see how it can be used as an excellent tool in training. 

But regardless, I don't think one guy's race results prove much. There are a ton of variables including the fact that he said he ran more volume than he ever has before while training for S and B. Also that he said he had some restraint is his race execution. Which leads me to believe this has not been the case in other races. 

Awesome! 

When one of my twins was about 3 she got on our treadmill and her sister pushed the speed button higher and higher.....she got thrown off the back of it and pinned between the belt and the wall while the belt took some skin off her legs.  She thinks Sanders is full of it.

I don't know, these 2 pioneers seem to be having a good time

(wooden-treadmills.jpg)

I absolutely think THIS guy's  (Lionel Sanders) results speak a lot for the reality of TM training being legit. 

Remember, he's not just some average guy running on a TM - he is one of, if not, the fastest run triathlete out their right now. If TMs had any sort of significant limitation, it would almost certainly be exposed by this guy's all-indoor regimen. 

It's not often than you get this combo of a world-class athlete at the top of his game using a very unusual (all-indoor running) training regimen, so when it works, it's worth looking at and re-evaluating the alleged limitations of TM training, even if it's not something you'd adapt yourself. 

Hey be careful about kids and toddlers around TM for real. It's no joke. Mike Tysons's 4 year old daughter died from an accident involving a treadmill, for real.

I've had those days when I'd rather catch an episode of West Wing on Netflix that stare at that freaking bike path for another 6 miles. 

They are rare, but they happen. 

I have just never heard of these accusations that TM training isn't a perfectly viable option.

I'm not disagreeing. 

However, if I were to disagree, I wouldn't look at some dudes blog post who ran well and be convinced. As I mentioned, there are many variables.