Treadmill vs outside - General running

Ben Gillam

27/07/2007 at 13:56

I'm new here, so apologies if this has been discussed before!

I have just started running outside (with a GPS watch), whereas previously all my running was on a treadmill.

I've found it so much tougher outside, it's really depressing! Either i stick to my treadmill speed and can only manage half the distance i would normally expect to do, or i run at a comfortable pace, which is about 1 mph less than i would normally run indoors.

Is this just me or do others find a big difference? For what it is worth, my outside run is mainly round the local park, and about 20% of it is on road.

Nam

27/07/2007 at 14:19

do you set your treadie at an incline of 1.5 or 2?

CraigB

27/07/2007 at 14:20

I tend to set my treadmill to +1mph to my outside speed to get the same as an outside workout, so yours sounds about right. Running on a treadmill is easier than running outside :)

Ben Gillam

27/07/2007 at 14:22

My gym is like walking in to a time warp. I swear the average age of equipment is more than average age of members.
Anyway, as a result the treadmills don't have a facility to add any incline, so i run "flat".

CraigB

27/07/2007 at 14:22

I personally wouldn't set an incline on your treadmill to replicate running outside as is doesn't use the leg muscles in the same way. Although that's good for all round toning, if you clock up loads of miles on the tready it'll build your calves up in the wrong places.

Stump

pirate

27/07/2007 at 14:24

Ben - No problem there, just run comfy and work on the distance first. The speed will come later.

It's all good.

Pick a race and have fun :)

Nam

27/07/2007 at 14:25

Outside you use forward and upward propulsion, whereas the treadie does half the job for you due to the ground flying beneath you. Incline imitates it a bit but I'd say just get out there.

Ben Gillam

27/07/2007 at 14:30

ok, that's a great help. thank you.

I won't stress now about having to match my treadmill times when i am outside!

Marc Bingham

27/07/2007 at 15:35

Getting out there and seeing the local area whistle by as you struggle up your own version of Everest is what outdoor running is all about. There is no comparison as far as I'm concerned. Treadmills are way to easy to get off and offer no challenge what-so-ever in my humble opion.

Most runners I know would rather have nothing to do with a tread mill even if it's snowing outside!

Get out there and breath some fresh air. Your body will catch up quicker than you think!

STU -

27/07/2007 at 15:38

you are dead right there marc -outdoors all the way.

Auro

27/07/2007 at 15:44

I think outside is easier - purely from a boredom perspective. I get soooo bored on the treadmill, whereas getting out and about offers more to keep you going.

moonferret

27/07/2007 at 15:51

There is no doubt running at the same speed on a treadmill is a lot easier. I can run 10km in under 34mins on a treadmill, but 38mins is about where I'm at on the road. I do about half of my sessions on the treadmill and half on the road. When on the treadmill, I find that it acts as a superb "pacemaker" and doesn't allow me to "slack". I set the speed, and either maintain that speed throughout, or move it up slightly, never down. It's also softer on your legs than the road, thus serving as a handy "off-road" alternative.

Ben Gillam

27/07/2007 at 15:53

Well having gotten over the initial shock of planning a 6 mile run (Comfortable in 45 mins on a treadmill) and then having to walk after 4 miles and eventually taking 55 minutes to complete the run, I am now improving outdoors. Although i still find it frustrating that i can not do the times/speeds i am used to on a treadmill!

I always quite enjoyed treadmill running as i could "shut off" for a while, and just get into a comfortable rhythym (also i could watch sky sports which i don't have at home!).

I have to admit i still prefer treadmill running at the moment as i dont have to get odd looks from people as i wheeze past them while they are walking their dog, or avoid the various obstacles that invariably get in the way etc. etc.

That said i'll stick with outdoor running for now, as i want to go in for a few races and i know treadmill running alone would not be ideal preparation.

DIM Wickett

27/07/2007 at 15:58

Boredom factor aside - I'm convinced that treadmill running is harder.

Over the past year, I've ended up having to do a lot of my speedwork sessions in the gym on a treadmill - simply 'cos I'm doing them in my lunch hour, with no usable roads nearby.

My times are significantly faster on the roads - even when I'm doing the same distances (eg 5k or 10k) at the end of a triathlon. Rarely get sub-20 5k indoors, but outside (during tri), no problem at all.

I may just be a freak though.

DIM Wickett

27/07/2007 at 16:03

I think the difference is that, when using a treadmill, you can force yourself to run at a set pace for a set amount of time, regardless of how you feel - I never touch the speed controls once I'm up and running.

I find that's a good discipline for when you're running outside - I'm less tempted to back off when I feel like I'm tiring. Does that make sense? It does to me, anyway.

Ben Gillam

27/07/2007 at 16:05

makes sense to me, but surely if you're less tempted to back off when a speed is set on the treadmill, your treadmill times would be faster than road times?

27/07/2007 at 16:05

I never get sub-20 5k on the treadie either - but then again I never get one outside.
However, I agree with Wickett - I find it easier to do anything other than intervals outside and my pace is better (although still a plod!)

Bionic Ironwolf pirate

pirate

27/07/2007 at 16:06

I hate treadies - hot and stuffy, no air, sweat pouring off and dripping down your nose, boredom, pretend Arnie Schwarzeneggers poncing about, versus fresh air, varied scenery, and my dog running with me, no contest. Give me outdoors every time.

Teso

27/07/2007 at 16:11

I find treadmills harder also,, I can never get a sub 20min 5k on a treadmill,

So if ever running indoors I just ignore the numbers and step up the speed until it feels OK, and try and up it for the last few mins.

No numbers to distract you outside,, just hills!

runnerswhirl

27/07/2007 at 16:42

I can run faster outside than on a treadmill too...I always feel a bit freaked out trying to go fast on a treadie and think I am going to fall off. Then there's the fact that you get so HOT and its so BORING.