Going from treadmill to outside... what's it like?

DaughterOfTheMostHighKing

it's a big difference! the treadmill is softer in landing on your feet and the miles tracked are not always correct for what you are actually doing. I found that the treadmill shortened my stride so I had to extend my stride intentionally for a long time before I got back to where I was before using the treadmill. :P

Di3012

I can run for an hour on my treadmill anywhere between 4.7 - 5.3 mph. It's hard during the first 20 minutes, but at that hour mark, I feel like I can kep going. Last night I burned 1006 calories doing this.

I want to try running outside and taking advantage of the trail near my house. I heard that it's harder to run outside, but how? What's it like? What makes it different?

Who has made that transition from treadmill to outdoors?

When you first start training outside, run slowly and then slow down a little more, then run your distance. Record it all and how long it took and what your route was. Once you have completed one training session outside without stopping to walk, you will be fine and it is all go.

Just do not go off too fast and do not try to maintain a too-fast run because if you have to stop it doesn't help you psychologically the next time you venture out, it is crucial you keep going to your plan.

Regarding the routes you run, try to vary those every session, it stops the boredom, keeps you fresh. I use the website "Gmaps Pedometer" to work out my routes and stores each one, it tells you how far you have run and you can put notes next to each route such as how long it took you to run that course etc. When you measure out the route on GMP, don't forget to click the "manual" box otherwise it will not allow you to measure the off-road bits. It doesn't matter where you live in the world with that site either, it is all done via satellite.

fitmom_pam1976

I just started running outdoors on Monday! I have to say that it is harder in the sense that when you are on the treasmill, when you want to stop (or give up) you just push a button. Whereas being outdoors you have to get from point A to point B no matter what! I def am sweating more and burning more calories. But overall, I feel soooo much more accomplished when I finish my outdoor run!! I am LOVING it!!!

tabulator32

The biggest difference for me was having to keep an eye out for stuff you won't find on your treadmill. This would be stuff like...

1. Broken glass
2. Cars that pass too close
3. Loose dogs that want to "play" (this is not always a bad thing)

Other than that, I totally prefer running outdoors to running on a treadmill.

hevhoyda

Personally, I think it's easier to run outside there's more to be distracted by and you aren't just staring at the same things. I love running out in the country because then you have no choice but to make it to that next road, which isn't always exactly close. Also, I live on a farm with woods if you have that option it's fun to mix it up with trail runs once in awhile.

tabulator32

I hate the dreadmill with a passion (still a better love story than twilight)! I started running outside from the get go. The few times I've been forced to run on a treadmill it was boring and it made me lightheaded when I stopped. I also cannot run long on a treadmill and I sweat like a pig. I also run slower. I love running outside better because, as others have said here, you feel like you're going somewhere. I always feel like I'm more connected to the world when out on a run. It really is a beautiful thing!

LMAO at the twilight comment.

:bigsmile:

Di3012

I just started running outdoors on Monday! I have to say that it is harder in the sense that when you are on the treasmill, when you want to stop (or give up) you just push a button. Whereas being outdoors you have to get from point A to point B no matter what! I def am sweating more and burning more calories. But overall, I feel soooo much more accomplished when I finish my outdoor run!! I am LOVING it!!!

You do realize there is no hope for you now don't you, you are hooked :oD

RunnerFive

Sounds FANTASTIC!

Realistically, there's only Saturday night and Sunday morning that I have time to run indoors, all other times it's dark and I'm working. NOPE, not running in the dark! Maybe that's a good thing, because it sounds like it will be painful the first week or so. I'm OK with that, it's a beautiful trail and I want to take advantage of it

I know for certain that my STRIDE will make a difference as well, that wasn't mentioned yet. I always see a girl running on the trail when I go by on my bike... she's running and her feet are slamming against the pavement, completely flat footed., Like, BANG, BANG, BANG, BANG! I can HEAR her feet when I go by, and I just cringe. I won't be doing that!

I have Saucony shoes, I think they're the reason I can run so well on the treadmill. I LOVE them, like running on a cloud

And to pass the time, I've always got the Zombies, Run! app. But I don't have a GPS, so I won't be able to tell how fast I'm going But I do have a HRM, that's something.

Thanks for the tips folks!!!!

fitmom_pam1976

I just started running outdoors on Monday! I have to say that it is harder in the sense that when you are on the treasmill, when you want to stop (or give up) you just push a button. Whereas being outdoors you have to get from point A to point B no matter what! I def am sweating more and burning more calories. But overall, I feel soooo much more accomplished when I finish my outdoor run!! I am LOVING it!!!

You do realize there is no hope for you now don't you, you are hooked :oD

LOL! I sure hope so!!!

johnsummerton

Outside is fun . Treadmill is sooooo boring , I run for much longer outside.

alienrite

I run before work at 5AM and have been almost entirely training on my treadmill. Longer days and it is light and beautiful at 5AM so I went outside this morning. My pace went from a struggling 9:45 min/mile on the treadmill to a 6:59 min/mile outside with a 22:44 minutes/5k. It was such an abrupt change in pace that I had to check the distance and time several times. It felt so good to actually move through the world. My pace and stride felt great and strong and something about the momentum of my weight moving forward seemed to bring a balance to my effort that was wonderful. It was completely contrary to what I had expected.

DavidMartinez2

Once you get away from the dreadmill you will not want to go back.

BonaFideUK

Its harder because most treadmills have shock absorbers for your stride. The pavement or country track isn't going shock absorb anything and your joints will feel it.