Running on the Treadmill v. Outside

faceoff4

I go back and forth on this. My preference is to run outside, and if I do I try to keep it to easier surfaces like dirt trails, etc. I agree with you in the fact that my pace is always faster when I am outdoors and its way less boring. I have herniated discs in my back so I cant do outdoor running too many times a week. But if your body can handle it, I would say stay outdoors!

jessicae1aine

I thought that I loved running on a treadmill.

Then I went outside, and now I don't think I'd be satisfied with a treadmill 100% of the time.

Sierra_christine89

Eh..I know someone is going to have a snide remark when I say I don't like to run outside because I don't like people watching me run. "Well, suck it up" I've been told.
I prefer running on the tread mill because I can incline it, but when I do run on a track I feel I get a better workout for some reason even if I'm just jogging, but its not any less boring to me. I'm running around in a huge circle seeing the same thing over again, there's really no difference in boredom on the treadmill, or on a track. It's different if you run around town though!

Oh, and you said you feel like you get more injuries, or get pain when running on the treadmill instead of the track..and that's completely contrary to my situation. When I run on the track I end up either falling, or twisting my ankle from the gravel.

foxygoesfast

I don't like to run outside because I don't like people watching me run.

This is me. My God, I hate running outdoors during the day. As if it weren't enough that the scenery is tedious and every passing car or pedestrian makes me conscious of my laborious gait and flailing muppet limbs, it seems like every other time I go out, some imbecile has to honk (completely unnecessarily, not in warning) or yell something indistinguishable from a rolled-down window.

I run at night now. The Milky Way is brilliant, the trees are in silhouette, I get to watch the moon phases, and I'm barely even conscious of my body, except to enjoy the feeling when endorphins start to release, or admire the starlight on my forearms.

Treadmill feels like dystopian torture compared to night running, but pretending to be a superhero or in Hunger Games training helps if it's the only option available.

PhoenixStrikes

I find the treadmill to be easier, the pace is kept for me and I can control the incline but I enjoy running outside more, it's obviously more interesting.

jaysull21

So I've only been running since June, but I already had a preconceived notion of not liking the treadmill. While I have gone on the treadmill at the gym, and done about half hour runs on there, I just cant put the same amount of effort into it.

I have this paralyzing fear that I'm going to be "that guy" , the one that mistimes a step and falls face first onto the mat. I'm also a bit of a spazz, so I have trouble keeping a consistent pace. If I'm on the treadmill, I'm the one pushing buttons the entire time. I go from 5mph to start to 5.5 a minute latter, then 6 mph , then I stay there for a minute.... well wait, I want more incline..> I should hit that button too.... ok ok , lets go really fast .... 7.5 ... ok wait, that's too fast .... back to 6.... ughhh back to 0 incline.... Seriously I button-mash more than a 8 year old with a new video game. I can control how fast I go outside by my own body... no buttons.

Also, I enjoy the surroundings. I live in a small town in rural area, and I tell you, I enjoyed my surroundings yesterday with my long run, where I was on a county road , with little traffic, and I could hear a rooster crowing as the fog hadn't burned off yet. Something I never understood about people wanting to run with iPods... you miss so much. I love music, don't get me wrong, but .... the little things I hear on my run... a stream I didn't know was there... the only sound is my sneakers and the pavement ... rabbits bounding off as they hear me coming.... a psychotic rottweiler ready to turn me into lunch (well, maybe not that one).