Hill training when you don't have hills

[kevinspradlin]

A guy from Texas wrote to me and asked the best way to prepare for the Mountain Maryland Marathon which, as you might know, has a hill or two.

He said he didn't have hills where he is and asked if treadmill incline training would be the best way to prepare. I said I'd seek information from experienced runners who might have been in this predicament.

My "flattest" time to run was while I was in Iraq. Where I was permitted to run, there were no hills. But it didn't matter, because there weren't any races with hills, either.

Feedback is appreciated.

Kevin

[tommy]

Not a lot of options really, the treadmill might be it. Maybe a really tall stairway or something. Stadium steps? I dunno what he has around him. Not extremely busy highway on-ramp?

[frojoe23]

I'd concur with Kevin on this one. I think the treadmill would be just fine - it would also place the demand of maintaining pace up an incline as well.

[Justin]

I could see the treadmill as a good alternative. I would assume one could do an incline tempo run on one of those and it would be tough. I think hill running is something that generally weeds out the less fit runners, usually the faster or more fit runner will make it to the top of the hill fastest no matter how much specific training they did on hills. I know there is mental advantages to practicing on what you'll be racing on, but I would think given a good dose of tough tempo workouts, intervals, and long runs and physically you'd be fine.

[kevinspradlin]

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I'll be sure to pass it along to Joel in Austin, TX. I also sent to him the link of an Austin-area trail running group that just might be able to find a hill or two...

I also disspelled the myth the first 11 miles are all up hill. Well, they are, mostly anyway, but it's not like climbing to Frostburg McDonald's the whole way. It's much tamer than that ... I hope he signs up. If he does, I'll credit your guidance for reassuring him.

Thanks!