Treadmill vs the track

RGv2

I feel the same. I learned to run a 5K on the TM. But after I started running out side I noticed it actually took more effort to run at what was the "same" speed on the road.

I have grown to hate the TM except for cold rainy days.

I always set the incline from 2-6 for my long run pace of a 10 minute mile. Then my HRM seems to agree with the distance run, but not the speed.

When was learning to run, I found that the steady pace allowed my to pick music for certain speeds. When I run on the street, I am never more than 20 seconds difference in my splits.

I'm complete opposite. I can blow a 5K out of the water outside compared to the treadmill. 20:30-19:45 outside, easily 22-23 on the treadmill.

RGv2

I run better outdoors. I get hotter when on the treadmill cause there is only a pissy little fan on it. I need the sea breeze I get here outside. I miss running outside, I only di it on the treadmill cause of the heat outside. Now that it's almost over & done with I'll go back outside.

Can't.....stand.....fans at the gym.

11teacb

After growing up in the south and going to school in the northeast, I can still say that no matter the weather, hot or cold, I would rather be on the road than on the treadmill or the track, but I would rather skip running and throw in some other sustained cardio than run on a treadmill.

MinnieInMaine

I freakin HATE running on the treadmill!! When I first started running I mostly ran on the treadmill and was fine with it but as soon as I got used to running outside, running on the treadmill has been pure torture! It's not just the boredom, it's the fact that I can't regulate my own pace or even the incline very well. I get almost clausterphobic when I try to run for more than a few minutes at a time. GAH! Forget it... I'd much rather just cross train and do something else (bike, elilptical, stairs, strength) if I have to be inside.

RGv2

If boredom is your issue on the treadmill, you need to find a program to challenge yourself.

GiGiBeans

I'm still a novice runner (and actually was told not to run because of crappy knees) but like the incline treadmill. I really love a muddy or snowy track. Ooo and stairs and actual hills too. I don't notice an effort difference between any of them, maybe cause I rotate methods?

gettingfit65

I run on both and there is definitely a difference. If you want to simulate outdoor running, and prevent over-extension of the back during the movement (this is common if you run toward the front of the treadmill) you should use a 2% incline while running on the treadmill.

Personally I find treadmill running easier to maintain a fast pace (I can hit 19 minute 5Ks on the treadmill, and my outdoor race time isn't even close to that). I think it's in large part what you are used to, and the pace/incline you select. They are both beneficial, but I think running outside still tops the treadmill.

Maybe this is the cause of my back/rib cage pain?????

hannakengu

Currently I'm a big fan of the treadmill - the weather in northern Europe is pretty much awful, roads are covered with ice and then some water and slush on top of that. Walking to my car without breaking bones is challenging enough, so the treadmill is my friend for a month or two before weather gets reasonable.

Even without the weather I might be a fan though, since my problem is that I start too fast and then get exhausted after 2 minutes and start hurting so bad I need to quit. No matter how many times I've tried the "this time I'll go reeeeal slow"-mindset, it always happens. Because of this, I started running on the treadmill in January, alternating fast walking and slooooow running and kept upping the running portion until I could run 30 minutes straight. Currently I'm trying to increase the speed by 0.1-0.2 kph every week or every other week, and also increase the time first to 45 and then to 60. I'm hoping to get to a reasonable speed before weather gets nicer, so I could run outside without feeling so frustrated with every. single. person. passing me on the track and scenery not changing fast enough (if I go too slow I feel like I'm not getting amywhere and I should go faster, and then I get exhausted, it's a cycle...) The boredom doesn't bother me at the gym because there's a tv in front of the treadmills, I always listen to music, and I have a very specific favourite treadmill I always pick when available, there's a tiny dot on the wall in front of it that I can stare at and just zone out with my music.

I'm still planning on moving outside when weather gets ok, because of the fresh air, sun, different terrains and inclines, and because I generally feel more accomplished and proud of myself when I do run outside - I feel more like a "real runner".

HardcoreP0rk

I knocked out 10 miles on a treadmill once, and it was quite the mental battle. I think it has it's place of course. I find certain machines are better than others, particularly the Woodway.

woodsy0912

I love both! I mix it up every day according to the weather.

I do notice that I can get faster times on the treadmill. Sometimes I do get more bored, but like someone above stated, when I am really challenging myself, I don't get bored at all.

But nothing beats running outside on a nice day! I just have to keep looking at my HRM to make sure I am exerting myself enough.

JoanB5

For me, it's like the difference in a pocket size camera versus a full sized DSLR with all the lenses. The one that takes the best picture is the one you have with you to use at the time. : ) (I own a purse dized digital and ALWAYS get the pic). I do not yet own the DSLR...and wish I had one, though I'd probably never have it with me when I needed it! LOL

donthegeek

I like walking on the treadmill so I can watch old episodes of star trek on netflix. But when it comes to running, I must be doing it wrong. It almost feels like I am landing flat footed every time my foot hits the belt. I don't have that problem when I'm running outside. I'd like to do more running on the treadmill since it gets really hot here in New Mexico during the summer and I have air conditioning for a reason. If anyone has a suggestion, send it on over - I'm sure I'm not the only one.

diver71_au

Outside for me .... all year round. Last two months I have been a mess of sweat almost as soon as I have started with temperatures in the high 30Cs and through winter last year I was running in 0-2C temps .... often in the dark.

I think that as long as you have somewhere safe to run (no ice on paths and no "scary" folk) then you should be outside getting the fresh air.

I keep telling my brother he is not a runner until he has had his own snot frozen to his cheeks.

candytag

I also like the outdoors better. I walk because I have bad knees would love to run. On the treadmill I always can stop at a mile instead of having to make it all the way back home. I get more miles in on the road than the treadmill. Theres just something about being outside even in the rain and cold.