if you're acclimated to running hills, you'll need to acclimate to running flat. i train in mostly off-road & rolling terrain, but when i have a longer, all pavement race upcoming, i find i need to do a few longer, boring all pavement, mostly flat runs ... these are probably my least favorite training runs, but they are good mental preparation. good luck. happy running.

Try to get in some long runs on flats, even if you have to drive.

Southern Man


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We're on a road to nowhere. Come on along.

I have to disagree a bit. I too would have to drive to run a flat course. I think hills make you strong, and that is certainly an advantage. But I recently ran a very flat course, and it was great. Most courses are not as pancake flat as they say they are. OK, I hear Chicago is, but most marathons have some ups and downs. I admit that a bit of variation helps me (for some reason hills and wind get me to focus, whereas flats tend to get boring), but when in race mode, flats are great. Yeah, run on them once in a while or hop on the TM, but I don't think "training for flats" is anything liek "training for hills" - i.e Boston, etc.

GOOD LUCK!!