Treadmill versus running outside

caridee2

Hiya,

I'm just wondering if it's just me or do you find it a completely different experience to run outside than inside on a treadmill? Apart from the obvious (temperature, wind etc), I find that although I can comfortably jog for an hour on a treadmill (not that fast, usually 7.5 or 8 kmph), I can't for the life of me replicate that when I go for a jog outside, around my town or the local park! Usually I'd have to take a quick walking break after about 10 mins, before I can jog/run again!!

Am I not as fit as I'd thought? Should I give up the treadmill and focus on jogging outside instead? My next goal is to run the Mini Marathon (10k) next May, but there's no point being able to run 10k on a treadmill and then failing miserably once I get outside, is there?!

showry

I'm the opposite,

any longer than half an hour on a treadmill and I'm done, physically and mentally,
could run for hours in the fresh air though,

Highway_To_Hell

At the beginning of this year when I started trying to get fit/lose weight, I used a treadmill as I was unable to finish 500 meters without taking a break, once I got to over the 5k mark without stopping I moved outside (in preperation for the BUPA 10K), it took a while to get use to running with the elements but once converted I couldn't go back to a treadmill. Obviously a bit of care is needed due to the condition of some of the paths but avoiding dog S**t is the most annoying especially now in the darker evenings.

Even with the bad weather this summer I only got a bad soaking a few times and most of them were at races. The other day i tried to do 10K on a treadmill as the weather was bad but ended up giving up and going out for a run instead (did 10 miles instead), decided I quite like running in the rain its just getting out in it is the problem.

Roper

Hey it might have something to do with the air but more likely the make up of a treadmill. There is no drive needed with a treadmill, they continue to move underneath you regardless of whether or not you push off them properly or not. Therefore you can jump in the air, land, repeat and bingo, you're running. Outside, the ground relies on you to move it! Add in slopes, kinks, different surfaces (tarmac is nicer than concrete, grass is softer than tarmac, bike lanes seem springier...) and you have a tougher experience, but more rewarding.

In the spirit of lists, here is my top 4 uses for a treadmill:
1. Injury rehab
2. Accurate timing for certain types of cardio
3. Watching telly
4. Providing comedy moments for You've Been Framed
5. Dancing

Krusty_Clown

Are you sure it isn't a pacing issue? On the treadmill you know exactly what pace you are running at, as it's on the screen in front of you. Outside, no screen, no machine-based control over your pace. Perhaps when you take your run outside you are moving off too fast.

Have you considered trying a heart rate monitor? Nike+?
Even mapmyrun.com and a stopwatch will help.

You also have to concentrate more, as you're running on an uneven surface with many pitfalls awaiting you, like puddles, dog-poo, cream-crackers, etc.

jakeypooh

Im the same since running the womens marathon in June I cant go back to the treadmill. I can run no probs for an hour outside I do 10K in about 45 mins 3 times a week.
I injured my back 2 weeks ago and was in the gym, got on the treadmill and only got 10 minutes out of it, hit a mental wall. I just cant run on teh treadmill anymore.
So much to see and watch outside and I personally amn't one for watching TV when running, Ipod on and off I go

Like the above don't even care if its raining once Im not stuck looking a the wall and my kilometers slowly clocking up

bridmwhite@gmai

In order to even get close to replicating the amount of work it takes to run outside on a treadmill you must be at an incline - 3% on a treadmill is about the same as running on the flat outside. It's because outside you have to propell forward and you have wind resistance.

Canis Lupus

7-8kph on a treadmill is walking fast not jogging

I'd possibly argue getting up to a comfortable 30 mins at 11 to 12kph on the treadmill then taking it outside however with winter around the corner I don't really see an issue with doing treadmill work till the weather improves.

I think you should set a distance or a time and go for it. If you need to stop and walk then do so but the next time you go running try to beat the time you did on the last run before you have to walk and concentrate on walking for less time etc. It's really a case of baby steps but it creeps up on you and one day you'll run for x amount of time and go wow... I just did that!

For me breaking 10k was a great feeling and then I started doing 5k at speeds that I couldn't have maintained for a minute when I started and then increasing that to 10k distances etc.

The thing is if you're running once or twice a week it's not really going to improve you all that much. The crap fact is you'll need to start heading out every second day and if you're serious about doing your utter best, when you're about 8 weeks (or better, longer) away from the event then you're probably looking at 5 days a week with two spread out rest days. What's really helpful is to grab a plan off runners world or something like that and sticking to it. Really helps to get you out the door on days you just can't be arsed with it.

Like others have said though. Once you start running outdoors you'll never be able to use a treadmill again for any serious amount of time. It's boring as ****.

Oh, and I can't recommend proper running shoes enough. Your knees will take a complete hammering if you wear the wrong shoes.


EDIT: ACtually. Seeing as you're not achieving your next goal till May maybe look at something like the training plan for a triathlon ( http://www.halhigdon.com/trifit/trifast.htm for the winter months and replicating it in a gym. It's not goal specific granted but it'll give you 4 things to focus on over the winter months (running, swimming, cycling and weights) improving your fitness as you go whilst not getting as boring as it can be pounding pavement day after day then you can switch completely to running as you get nearer the event. Just an idea.

RacoonQueen

You also have unnoticed inclines to deal with outside etc... the best way to train for running on a treadmill is to train on an incline and keep adjusting the incline to replicate what roads are like. I know some treadmills you can programme them to change inclines periodically and speed periodically, although, most gyms tend to use life fitness equipment which I don't believe you can do this on so you'd have to do it manually. You could try looking at the runners world website, they have a fair few treadmill workouts you could try to help improve performance on the road.

I can't run on treadmills at all. It's so boring.

RacoonQueen

Canis Lupus wrote: »

7-8kph on a treadmill is walking fast not jogging

No it's not. For some people that would be an easy run pace.

caridee2

Canis Lupus wrote: »

7-8kph on a treadmill is walking fast not jogging

I have short legs; it's jogging for me!!

liamo

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Are you sure it isn't a pacing issue? On the treadmill you know exactly what pace you are running at, as it's on the screen in front of you. Outside, no screen, no machine-based control over your pace. Perhaps when you take your run outside you are moving off too fast.

Although I can't remember the source, I read recently that tests showed that runners tested outside and on a treadmill chose a faster pace outside. This appeared to be an unconscious thing. So you may have hit the nail on the head.

conceited

Running outside I feel taxes you more than a treadmill . I'd definitely agree with the pace being faster outside, unconsciously ofcourse.

Reyman

There's only one way to check this. Set your treadmill at 8kph and 2 degrees incline and time yourself over 3km.

Run a measured 3km outside and time yourself. I'm willing to bet you're moving much faster out in the open. But let us know how you do?

bman

Reyman wrote: »

There's only one way to check this. Set your treadmill at 8kph and 2 degrees incline and time yourself over 3km.

Run a measured 3km outside and time yourself. I'm willing to bet you're moving much faster out in the open. But let us know how you do?

Also, it's easier to maintain a constant pace (ie. threadmill) than it is to speed up and slow down (ie. road running). You won't consciously be speeding up and slowing down but it's just the way it'll happen, esp as you start out.

Oryx

Hi Caridee. Im a beginner like yourself. I found running outside harder at first too, but it does get easier. This is what Ive found is helping:

I use the first 10mins as warm up. I tend to feel pooped just because Im warming up, I take a short break walking, then begin to run again, I find I can keep going then.

Conciously relax your shoulders, I tend to tense my shoulders when Im struggling and finding it hard, and it helps if I can relax them.

Find a rythm when you run. Its very easy on a treadmill, harder outside. But when you get into a steady pace of feet and breath, youll find it much easier to keep going. Other than that, do a set distance, and complete it by a mix of running and walking, as much as you are able to run. Then each time you go out, try and extend the run sections by small distances. Time yourself, and youll see any improvement on that distance, which is really encouraging.

From one noob to another, good luck.

caridee2

Thanks Oryx, much appreciated! Think I'll try out your suggestion! Hopeyour training is going ok too! It's tough starting out but I really enjoy the feeling of achievement that comes with pushin through that last km or whatever!!