threadmill v rds

valentine4

Hi all,

This probably sounds silly but I am fine running on a threadmill but I just can't seem to get the hang of it outdoors...

On a threadmill I can go, after a warm up, for about 40 mins doing 6km in that time. After 40 mins I am bored brainless and lack the motivation to keep going.

However out in the great outdoors with my lovely dog in this lovely weather ...I can do feck all

I feel like I am very heavy on my feet and try not to lean foward too much or flop my feet but I still get completely puffed and can literally only go from lampost to lampost without building up any distance at all.

Any tips?

daniellemm1

Bump. I currently run on the treadmill between 2 and 3 miles a day and want to make the transition outside. I said I was going to switch when it got cooler and it should be soon. Now I'm a little scared to switch because I know that I will not be able run as far/as long as I am now and I am worried my feet just won't move me at all

CarsonRuns

Outside, you are running faster than you think you are. There is no treadmill to pace you. Try slowing down when you run outside, even if it feels like you are barely moving.

kmorganlfc

The treadmill will develop a lot of the muscles required to run as well as the cardio system, but not everything. The muscles in the lower legs which project you forward don't get any exercise at all. So if the majority of your runs are on a treadmill, and no matter how long you've been doing it, when you go outside to run the lower leg muscles and tendons/ligaments are still on day one of your running program. Only running outdoors will execise those muscles, and that's a big reason why running seems so difficult to you outdoors.

Pinkranger626

This is because running outside IS more difficult. Outside tou have to deal with wind resistance, humidity, different terrain, and there's no belt doing some of the work for you. My advice, keep doing it. Start out where you run/walk it could be as little as running for 1 minute and walking for 2 minutes, eventually you will build up the stamina and the muscles to be able to go farther. Switching from treadmill to road is like switching from shadow boxing to boxing with a heavy bag, it's slightly different even though the movements are the same.

Don't give up! Eventually you may find you prefer running outdoors, much more to look at than on the treadmill.

valentine4

thanks all! I definately going to stick at it now and take it slow and steady. I love the comparison between shadow boxing and the real thing

thanks again!

Edele

donrdon

Outside, you are running faster than you think you are. There is no treadmill to pace you. Try slowing down when you run outside, even if it feels like you are barely moving.

I definitely agree with Carson. There's no thought needed when on a treadmill, it sets your pace. Outside you need to be aware and control it. This will take some time but will get easier to judge the more you take it to the street. In the mean time slow it down and run at a comfortable pace.

davemunger

Are you aware of how far you are running on the roads? If you don't have a runner's GPS, use a phone to track your speed / distance. There are plenty of free apps for doing this. This will give you a better sense of how fast you are running and how it compares to the treadmill. Personally I find it hard to run as fast on a treadmill as I do on the roads. Boredom and repetition inevitably creep in on the treadmill.

Also, try running outdoors with a partner--the conversation will make the time pass more quickly and you will each be accountable to the other, so you're less likely to skip a workout.

wolfgate

As others have indicated, it is largely what you've trained for. I do 95% plus of my running outside, tracking workouts on GPS so I know pace, etc. When I do run on a treadmill, I go slower for the same level of effort. Exact opposite of what people say who do most of their running on the TM.

CarsonRuns

The treadmill will develop a lot of the muscles required to run as well as the cardio system, but not everything. The muscles in the lower legs which project you forward don't get any exercise at all. So if the majority of your runs are on a treadmill, and no matter how long you've been doing it, when you go outside to run the lower leg muscles and tendons/ligaments are still on day one of your running program. Only running outdoors will execise those muscles, and that's a big reason why running seems so difficult to you outdoors.

This is a gross exaggeration. Yes, the motion is different, but not THAT different that no development of specific forward running muscles, ligaments and tendons (which ones, specifically??) takes place.

daniellemm1

The treadmill will develop a lot of the muscles required to run as well as the cardio system, but not everything. The muscles in the lower legs which project you forward don't get any exercise at all. So if the majority of your runs are on a treadmill, and no matter how long you've been doing it, when you go outside to run the lower leg muscles and tendons/ligaments are still on day one of your running program. Only running outdoors will execise those muscles, and that's a big reason why running seems so difficult to you outdoors.

This is a gross exaggeration. Yes, the motion is different, but not THAT different that no development of specific forward running muscles, ligaments and tendons (which ones, specifically??) takes place.

I'm glad you chimed in with this because I was starting to panic at the thought that I would be totally starting over. I can breathe again.

teaparty75

i went thru the same thing !! i thought "how diff can it be ?" LOL....stick with it and slow down - eventually you will get better and start to appreciate the beauty of running outdoors !!