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As always, you guys get to benefit from my research! So far I've done 2 runs on my 'mill and am having a heck of a time adjusting to it. Don't get me wrong - I intend to use the 'mill A LOT...but I need to find ways to combat things like fear and dizziness and added effort.
So, me and my best Internet friend, Mr. Google went on a date today to find some answers to help me adjust. I'm learning as I go. Hopefully some of you will find this helpful as well.
Why does it feel harder if I am not using any energy to propel myself forward?
Apparently running on a flat treadmill is like running on a slight downhill grade - guess that explains why my legs were so sore after 3K. From what I have read - keeping it at 1% is kind of the standard and mimics running outside on a flat plane. (I did this off and on throughout last night and did find it was easier to run at 1% than at flat)
Why am I dizzy when I get off the treadmill?
This appears to be an operator issue and seems fairly common. Everything I've read points to an insufficient cool down. I am going to try to walk for a couple of minutes before stopping the treadmill to see if it still happens. I'll weigh in after my run tonight.
How can I find a natural form?
The best I can distill from what I've been reading is this:
- keep your feet under your hips
- try to not over stride
- keep your body upright (I've caught myself leaning forward many times already)
- look straight ahead (if I deviate from this, I notice I am all over the belt. I'm fine if I just keep my eyes on the TV)
As anyone who has been following me for a while knows - I had a gallactically bad fall on a treadmill last June. I was in a clinic and - despite knowing how to get off a treadmill - when the instructor told me I could stop - I hit the stop button and then turned around. Stupid. Stupid stupidness. I was bruised and tread-rashed from my hips to my shins. It was not a pretty sight. I'm actually kind of lucky a row of fans broke my fall or it may have been worse.
So - now my fear is centred around "what if my feet get too far behind me and miss the end of the belt". I mean, I know it won't happen. I bought a 'mill with a really long belt for this reason (that, and the fact that I am 5'9" and hubby is 6'3").
Because if I look behind me when I am running, I feel like I'm wavering all over the belt - I think I will just have hubby film me running on the 'mill and then I can see how close I am getting to the edge. I'm willing to bet I am WAY far from ever reaching it and if I see that, I might just relax a bit.
Great links!
- Several Great Articles on Treadmill Running (love the one on maintaining your treadmill)
- Six Steps to Treadmill Safety
- Common Treadmill Running Mistakes
- Treadmill Running Will Make You Faster!
- Ten Common Treadmill Running Problems
Other things I am discovering:
- Don't try to break in new shoes when you're adjusting to treadmill running. Breaking in my Karhus might actually need to be put on hold for a couple of weeks so I can find my treadmill mojo and then break them in.
- I must find a water bottle I can operate one handed on the 'mill. My SIGG is not cutting it.
Well, that's it for this week...hopefully y'all found this helpful! If you have any other great tips - please post them in the comments!
Happy running!
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