Run Run Away

Question:

Danny Stimpson,         Is this marathon you are training for going to be run on a treadmill or on a trail? If the race is going to be on the trail (or road), how is training on a treadmill going to prepare you for the unexpected little things one encounters on the course.         I’ve run over sixty marathons and a few ultra-marathons; and the closest I’ve come to a treadmill is in my nephews’ bedroom. They said the hamster would probably get lost if they put him on the trail to run.         A healthy human being should be able to get out on the road and train for a marathon under real, live conditions. Anyone who can’t do that has no business entering a marathon.         However, if you insist on spending your money on a treadmill, I hope you buy it from a company I own stock in. (sippinSamuelAdamsandrootinforthe1994worldchampionMETSinLongBeachCalifornia wheretheearthmovesundermyfeet)

Response:

I am about to purchase a Premier Gold Limited Edition Vitamaster Treadmill built by Roadmaster Corporation.  It has a 2.25 HP motor and can go up to 10 MPH.  It also can incline up to somewhere around 12 to 16 percent.  It has programmable speed and elevation and the running track (16" X 49") is called a Goodyear Softtrack.  Does anybody have any comments or have any experience with this treadmill?  I intend to use this treadmill to train for a marathon this coming June.  The 10 MPH is plenty fast enough for me.  I just hope its durable enough for the pounding it will get.  I did call Roadmaster Corp. and a salesperson told me that he knew of a guy in Kansas City who bought an older model to train for the N.Y. marathon.  Can anybody give me any warm fuzzies on this expensive purchase?  Thanks. Danny

Response: