Running outside vs. on a treadmill?

sngnyrslp

I'm going on vacation to Montauk, NY next week and I'm going to try REALLY hard to go for a run every morning or evening. The thing is, though, I've only ever run on a treadmill so I'm just wondering what to expect. I usually run 3 miles at a ten minute mile. Lately I've added in an incline of 1. I know I'm not going to be able to run as far or as long outside, but does anyone have sort of a ballpark conversion? Also, any tips on outdoor running?
Also, for people who run first thing in the morning, how do you do it without having eaten breakfast or drinking any water first?

MacMadame

I run faster outdoors than on a treadmill. So you may very well be able to run as far and as long as you do indoors. I think this is very individual. I would just plan to run the same amount of time you normally do and see what your distance ends up being. You can do an "out and back" run -- 15 min out, then turn around and run back. That will get you your half hour of running without having to know ahead of time what distance you'll cover.

I always eat something before I run in the mornings too. I generally keep it very light. I go for about 100 calories of something that goes down easy. Sometimes I make my morning protein shake and drink a bit before I go out (and drink the rest when I get back). Sometimes I have a small banana and sometimes I use one of those gel packets -- I like Gu Roctane, but I've used others.

twingirls05

I'm typically an outdoor runner and can run faster for longer periods of time outdoor. I probably wouldn't focus as much on how fast/far you go, what's most important is just getting out there and doing it!!

I typically run at night. However, on the weekends, I get up at the crack of dawn on Saturdays for my weekend long runs (10+ miles). I usually eat something light (bagel thin with 1-2 Tbs of PB....banana, PB on toast.....a Fiber 1 bar....Nutrigrain Bar). So, I usally pick of those for my bfast. I literally take 2-3 sips of water to wash it down (but I make sure to hydrate really well a few days before my runs and also take a Fuel Belt with me on those runs to stay hydrated). If I drink more than a few oz the morning of my long runs, I'm always off trying to find a bathroom at any given time. So, I try to hydrate really well the days prior and eat really light. I like to wait at least 30 minutes, 45 minutes if I can...after my bfast before I head out.

Good luck and have fun on your vacation.

emd1124

I never usually read or reply to posts or anything but I have also been running (sometimes more successfully than others) so this interested me. If you are going to run in the morning, I would eat a banana and drink some water before you go. Then I would grab your IPod because the only thing that keeps me going is music. You may want to track a route ahead of time with your car so you know what one mile is, two miles, etc. As for a conversion, I have no idea but I know that you will be far achier running on the street because I feel like you use more muscles. In my experience, I was achier running on the road and felt like I got an even better run that way versus the treadmill. My last bit of advice is to start out slow. Don't worry about running as fast as you normally do. Your body will kick in and let you know when you can push it faster and when you need to slow down. At the end I always sprint.

By the way, I am going to Montauk in two weeks! We have been going out there since I was a little girl! If you have any tips for me on how NOT to eat EVERYTHING in sight while I am out there, I would love to hear them! Enjoy your vacation!

Liz75

Running is easier outside, even with hills! I've been running outdoors for years and when I try and do a 9 minute mile pace on a treadmill I become exhausted pretty quickly! Plus its sooo boring and its hard to relax on them! Enjoy the outdoors, the freedom! Just relax shoulders and take your time! I can't run on an empty stomach so I suggest you try something light.
Liz ;-)

maddox22

+1 to doing an out and back and focusing on time and effort rather than distance.

The biggest difference I notice between treadmill running and outdoor running is impact. Treadmills are built to absorb impacts, so your joints don't take as much. Outside, the ground isn't as springy, so your joints absorb more. If you run outside regularly, your body adapts to it, but if you're used to TM running, you might have more joint pain or stiffness after your run than you are used to.

I always run in the morning. I make an effort to eat something light before I run. Some things I've had good luck with are:
--1/4 c oatmeal cooked in 1/2 c water, with a little brown sugar if you want
--half a banana
--fruit sorbet (this is nice in the summer when it's hot)--I like Whole Fruit mango or lemon
--1/4 to 1/2 c plain yogurt, buttermilk, or kefir with a little brown sugar (I prefer low fat or fat free for this, because too much fat can lead to stomach upset)
--1/4 c or less cooked white rice or boiled potato

All of these have a decent amount of carbs to fuel you, and the oatmeal is also good because it has fiber, which (according to some studies) can increase your endurance and calorie burn.

I always drink some water before I go out, but I also make sure to potty several times before I leave (I usually go as soon as I get up in the morning and then again right before I leave the house).

I typically have 10-20 minutes between when I eat and when I start running. That seems to work for me, but it is different for everyone. Some people can go out and run on a completely empty stomach, but I get too wobbly if I do that.

Paul76

Rule of thumb is running on a treadmill is about 10% easier. The equivalent to running outside would be on the treadmill at 1-2% incline.

tucker131

I love my tredmill. I have 8 kids and a crazy, busy, unpredictable schedule. I love my kids a ton and I want to be around for them, so being fit is not an option. I also have had some trouble with my knees for a tredmill is kinder to them. Since my schedule is so unpredictable I love getting on the tredmill no matter what time of day or what the weather is. I also love counting my calories with it. I shoot for 300 calories in the morning and 200 at night. Both are usually 30 minute workouts. I hit it hard in the moring and have a more relaxed workout in the evening. I think for bad knees and a crazy schedule a tredmill is awesome.

sngnyrslp

By the way, I am going to Montauk in two weeks! We have been going out there since I was a little girl! If you have any tips for me on how NOT to eat EVERYTHING in sight while I am out there, I would love to hear them! Enjoy your vacation!

Oh no tips here! Next week is going to be quite interesting for me, especially because I won't have internet access which means no food logging and pretty much no accountability haha. My friends and I have been going every year (this is our fifth year), so I think I know what to expect as far as eating goes. I know we eat a lot of meals in our hotel, so I'm going to try and stock up on light snacks and healthy lunches (lots of salad!) to offset the ridiculous dinners I'll be eating (and the Ben & Jerry's. Oh my gosh the Ben & Jerry's!). Also, If you can, get to Camp Hero! When we went a couple of years ago, we got lost and ended up hiking around for about three hours. Good way to get rid of some calories! (not that I recommend getting lost haha)

rose1617

Rule of thumb is running on a treadmill is about 10% easier. The equivalent to running outside would be on the treadmill at 1-2% incline.

I agree, but I also think there is no real comparison.
You just don't get the same work output that you do outdoors if you are running on a treadmill. I have training to prove it.
9m mile for 4 miles on treadmill, 10 min mile for 2 miles outdoors... that's how it converted anyway.

rybo

Mixed responses here. Some have an easier time outside, some have it easier on the treadmill.

Other than the fact I hate the treadmill because it's terribly boring, I find it much easier to run on. My first few runs outside after a period of deep snows this winter about killed me.

gillleeman

I run both (treadmill and outdoor) and I run first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. I'm no good with any food in my stomach as I experience stitch. I do however, have a glass of water before I run and take water with me in a do-nut bottle.

My experience is running outside uses the muscles of the hips and glutes more, mine tend to ache a few days after. The treadmill belt takes a lot of the intensity out of the runs and its moving beneath you as opposed to the pavement which is still.

I also put my gradient up to level 2 on the treadie.

I agree, run out for 15 mins and back, rather than worrying about mileage.

I eat as soon as I've completed my run and this works for me.

Michaela722

It really depends on the person. I am someone who is much faster/stronger on the treadmill than outdoors. The first time I ran outside, I could run a 5k in 30 minutes on the treadmill with ease. I couldn't run 300 yards outside without stopping. I don't think that running on the treadmill is nearly the workout you get running outdoors.