Running vs. Treadmill: My Observation

jskaggs1971

With a break in the cold, I decided to go run outside today (yay!) instead of on the treadmill at the gym.

Strangely, I found that I ran a faster pace (9-10 min/mile) outdoors than in the gym, where I feel like I'm crushing myself to hold an 11 minute mile pace at 4% incline. I just thought that was funny, since most of the time I hear people say "running on the treadmill is easier".

Anybody else notice this? I think it's probably mental and due to running outdoors being a lot cooler.

Just for comparison, I'm an on-again, off-again jogger who's on his 3rd trip through C25K, currently in Week 5.

sandiki

interesting.. I noticed that my speed fluctuates more outdoors...I think mainly bc I move to the beat of the music in my ear...I will try and see if this too happens to me.

KimmieBrie

I always end up going faster outside - my pace may vary - but my time to go a certain distance is always lower outside and I can go further distances than when I run inside.

I struggle in the gym to find that perfect pace messing around with the treadmill - and often feel like I'm overheating. It's easier outside for me. My fastest time doing 5k was in an outdoor race. I've never been able to match it indoors.

ruststar

It could be that 4% incline is the difference...I've heard that 1% incline can can mimic the more challenging experience of running outside, so 4 % seems like you are forcing yourself to run on a steeper incline than you experience outdoors.

emmaleigh47

Count me in as another one of those runners who struggles indoors. I dont know what it is with the treadmill ... I have tried to vary the incline ( but 2% doesnt really feel any different than 1%) ... I used to think it was because my cadence was different on a treadmill (which it is) but now I have been working on cadence drills outside so I have matched them up pretty good.

I am rehabbing from a back injury and did a run 1 walk 4 last night and it was like ... boring ... and felt alot harder than it should have. I dont get it...

jskaggs1971

It could be that 4% incline is the difference...I've heard that 1% incline can can mimic the more challenging experience of running outside, so 4 % seems like you are forcing yourself to run on a steeper incline than you experience outdoors.

That may be. However, I've noticed the same thing running the hills around my house, some of which are an 8% grade. Up is slow, down is... less slow.

Anyhow, I see I'm not alone, so cool.

And, emmaleigh: I agree. Maybe it's that when I'm more free to pick my pace, I run faster, until HR and breathing tell me to slow down. On the mill, I try to set it and forget it, and simply try to change/shorten my cadence when I want to move my feet faster or slower. Anyhow, it's supposed to be sunny and nice here in Denver this weekend, so yay for more outdoor exercise. I hate the gym, but I'm making myself go anyhow.

kelsully

it could be the 4% incline...I have heard that .5% to 1 % inline is comprable to running on flat ground outside. Unless you are running hills when you are running outside, your incline might be such that your pace is tough. I can fly on a treadmill and it helps me work on my speed for outside.

Kymmu

The trainer at my gym told me that most people run faster outdoors.
It may be the songs or scenery. I know I will often tell myself 'keep going till that tree/ lamppost" .
Maybe it's just more motivating?

missikay1970

i can't wait for warm weather so i can run outdoors to see if i notice a difference. i have terrible ear problems and can't run outdoors in the cold. come on spring!

stevwil41

I've not noticed the speed thing but I have noticed that my back bothers me less if I run (or even walk) on a treadmill rather than outside.

kelseyhere

My times are always worse outdoors. I think this is because I'm not very good at pacing myself so I end up getting winded and then have to walk. I can keep a steady pace on the treadmill (well the machine does it for me) so I can run for longer periods of time without walking.

Also having to fight traffic and watch for cars sometimes slows me down or distracts me from my breathing.

directorj

Weird. I run faster in the treadmill but shorter because its so boring! Outdoors I can run continuous but depending on the terrain

Nicola0000

It could be that 4% incline is the difference...I've heard that 1% incline can can mimic the more challenging experience of running outside, so 4 % seems like you are forcing yourself to run on a steeper incline than you experience outdoors.

I heard 2% is near to running outdoors, so 1-2% sounds about right. Maybe reduce the 4% and see how that goes?

Nicola0000

Weird. I run faster in the treadmill but shorter because its so boring! Outdoors I can run continuous but depending on the terrain

agree, so boring!!!!!!!!!!!!

Nicola0000

The trainer at my gym told me that most people run faster outdoors.
It may be the songs or scenery. I know I will often tell myself 'keep going till that tree/ lamppost" .
Maybe it's just more motivating?

I find I run faster outdoors too. I think its a visual thing, as I find I cant judge how fast im running on the treadmill, but when you're outdoors, you can see the scenery go past,

LorinaLynn

I'm much faster outside. I think it's the lack of airflow on the treadmill. Even with ceiling fans, I boil and sweat pours off of me, and it psyches me out. It's more of a mental exhaustion than a physical one. Outside, even if I'm going slow, I'm at least creating my own 6mph breeze!

Plus, running at one consistent pace isn't natural. It's normal to speed up and slow down a little.

AriannaTiyen42

I think it might be the 4% incline. I always thought 1% on the treadmill was comparable to running outside on level ground.

AriannaTiyen42

I think it might be the 4% incline. I always thought 1% on the treadmill was comparable to running outside on level ground.

staceyb2003

it depends on the weather here in the midwest. I definitely feel the workout more outside.

staceyb2003

I think it might be the 4% incline. I always thought 1% on the treadmill was comparable to running outside on level ground.

I always thought that too. Is it not?

Lolamako

Same here, with a 2% incline, I run SO SO SO slow on the treadmill. And mines outside, so I get shade, wind and overall mild to cold temps, and yet I still run like 13-15 minutes miles for 30 minutes that feels like FOREVER. Yet I can run steady 9 min miles for 6+ outside. Go figure. Suffice to say the number *kitten* that I am, I run outside 99.9999% of the time.

kelseyhere

all you people complaining about sweating on the treadmill, try running in Arizona in the summer.

I would choose my treadmill right under the AC vent with a fan pointed at me any day

dancingj2

Weird. I run faster in the treadmill but shorter because its so boring! Outdoors I can run continuous but depending on the terrain

I run faster on the treadmill too. I think its becuase I set the speed.

I have a TV in front of my treadmill which keeps me on it longer.

tam120

I find it harder to run outside but I have given up trying to determine my pace because the apps suck *kitten*, they're more trouble than they're worth. I do speed drills on the treadmill with the built in programs and that keeps me occupied so it's a bit less boring. Outside, I just run, sometimes I try to run faster, sometimes I just watch my hr, sometimes I just let my dog determine the pace (to a point, she always wants to run faster than I can) :bigsmile: . I run outside for pleasure and use the treadmill for working on pace and speed.

tam120

all you people complaining about sweating on the treadmill, try running in Arizona in the summer.

I would choose my treadmill right under the AC vent with a fan pointed at me any day

Yeah, no thank you, Cleveland in the summer is hot enough for me, I can't imagine AZ.

jrlenig

I totally agree I run so much more quickly outside, but I over pronate and the smooth surface of the treadmill encourage my feet to roll so I am steadier!

Tan43

I use Treadmills for Interval training due to be able to program different speeds and inclines to provide HIIT and leave the much loved consistent pace running for the beautiful outdoors. I have an 8.5 Km track (approx 5.3 miles ) which I can get around on a good day in about 50 minutes. I don`t overly push myself as I enjoy the relaxing rythmic pace this provides and this also gives my mind such a break from the stresses of this crazy world.

jskaggs1971

Interesting feedback, all. thanks. Maybe I'll dial the incline back to 2% the next time I run at the gym and see if I can maintain a 10 minute pace. Today, however, was glorious. Around 40F, so I was a bit chilly warming up in compression shorts, tights, a tech teet, and a fleece pullover. However, once I got going, it was perfect, and I came back feeling refreshed and happy, instead of wanting to dive straight into a shower.

I love our dry winters in CO. The sweat just disappears.