Training for a hilly race when you don't live near hills

[lobsteriffic]

I'm thinking of running the San Francisco Marathon in July. It would be my first marathon.

Problem: Where I live is flat, flat, flat. I don't have a vehicle, so driving to hills isn't feasible.

I DO have access to a treadmill. I certainly don't want to do super long runs on the treadmill, but do you think running hill sprints on the treadmill one day a week would help?

I know the course has a fair bit of downhills, so I need to figure out a way to practice those as well.

Thanks!

[Hiking Fox]

Stairs. Run up escalators.

Also cycling uses the same muscles as running up hills, I believe

[lobsteriffic]

Ha, I don't know about the escalator thing but I live in a 4 story apartment building so I can definitely do stairs.

Interesting! I didn't know that about cycling. That is super helpful, thanks!

[IronGirl]

Also cycling uses the same muscles as running up hills, I believe

Some fell run coaches recommend turbo sessions on the bike through the winter to help with hills.

[Konstantin]

I considered dragging a tyre from my belt.

[DC Runner]

I think your best option is the treadmill - it's the closest you're going to get to the actual thing without running hills. Cycling is a non-impact activity and generally doesn't translate well to running. You could run highway exit/on ramps as a not-so-fun alternative.

While San Francisco is a very hilly city, its marathon is surprisingly not so bad. The course doesn't run through the middle of the city, so you're running around the worst hills. Best of luck!

[lobsteriffic]

I think your best option is the treadmill - it's the closest you're going to get to the actual thing without running hills. Cycling is a non-impact activity and generally doesn't translate well to running. You could run highway exit/on ramps as a not-so-fun alternative.

While San Francisco is a very hilly city, its marathon is surprisingly not so bad. The course doesn't run through the middle of the city, so you're running around the worst hills. Best of luck!

Thanks! I've found a few TINY hills. I'm going to try and work those in as much as I can, aside from the treadmill once a week. But I'm glad to hear that the SF marathon course isn't as cruel as it could be!

[purple_mog]

ooooooh lots of luck lady! I struggle with hill too - I'm not good at them and live in a very flat city (York, UK). I have resorted to finding any inclines and using them for repeats, not very exciting but better than a treadmill for me.

good luck
Mog