running.... inside or outside?

michellekicks

Outside. Most I can handle on Torture-mill is one mile.

I don't even think I could stick it out a mile on a dreadmill :noway:

Outside. Always outside.

holliebevineau

Outside!!! Rain or shine!!

sidewinder76

I like both, Outside for fresh air and scenery. inside for pace training.

AmyRhubarb

I've never even been ON a treadmill - all outside for me! When I first started running (in the month of January!), there were days when I wished I had access to a treadmill, but I went outside anyway - rain, cold, fog, frosty mornings, wind - I was out there. And I loved it! It's fun being "the crazy one" out dodging puddles or putting your earbud in AGAIN because the wind blew it out for the third time. :bigsmile:

Plus I figure race day will never be on a treadmill, so might as well get used to being out there in any conditions - you never know what you'll get. Not to mention witnessing gorgeous sunrises, various critters (all harmless -bunnies, birds, livestock, etc - well, the occasional coyote, but I haven't seen him lately, and he's usually loping off in the other direction ), a bit of solitude to start the day....

mellorunner

Almost always outside, only inside a few days during the winter (roads don't always get cleared right after storms and I don't want to risk slipping on ice). I've completed up to 18.5 miles on the treadmill before, not the most "exciting" experience of my life. Couldn't imagine trying to do a full 95-100 mile week indoors, talk about boredom.

dixiewhiskey

I like running outside cause it gives me something to look at... I only run indoors during the winter and when it's too humid (and not safe) to run outside

pikanchi

Outdoors, without a doubt. I love seeing the scenery (my 5k route involves a series of hills and as I begin my last descent, I can see across to a castle ~6 or so miles away and it's glorious); I love seeing the wildlife (deer, cows, horses, rabbits, foxes); I love the challenges it brings that I'm forced to overcome (...like hills, goddamn), and I love the weather. Admittedly, I don't enjoy the heat as much, but is there anything that makes you feel more badass than being that "nutter" out there running in the wind, the rain or the snow? Is there anything that makes you feel more badass that being out there in the rain or the snow and owning that workout?

It's tougher than running on a treadmill for sure, but that's why I love it so much. With a treadmill, I'm acutely aware of the distance I've run and the distance I have left to run; I feel like I never hit my stride and every mile is excruciatingly dull. Also, I feel as if I can run faster off the treadmill as I'm more free to moderate my pace and introduce speed play without messing with buttons.

mikeyrp

When I started out I found the tread mill easier - but as I progressed I found running out doors more and more enjoyable and the mill duller and duller.

However - both have their place in my training regime....

Long runs (once a week, 8 - 15 miles) - Outside - either cross country or on road
Pace runs (once a week) - Outside, road/track - typically a total of 6 miles with 2 miles warm up, 3 miles at speed and 1 mile warm down
Interval training (once a week) - multiple variants of effort/recovery - 45 minutes to an hour - tread mill or track.

'other' training such as circuits / cycling / swimming to make up to 5 training days.

The mill works well for intervals because it can be used to drive your effort - either as speed or incline - and it is easy to see the time or distance covered. Furthermore the variance stops it from getting too dull...

MelissaH0910

Outside. I'm fortunate enough to own 50+ acres of land that's full of trails, so I can run to my little heart's content without ever leaving home. Plus, I usually start my run between 4 & 4:15 a.m., so it's very peaceful. I get to watch the wildlife while I run and enjoy the sunrise while I'm doing my cool-down & stretching. I'll probably have to move back inside to the treadmill once winter comes since I live in Maine, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

McMandy17

Outside! It makes the time go by faster. I love to go early in the morning while it's still quiet out.

hammbone55

running outside is a lot harder. On a treadmill you have a set speeds you kind of know how fast you like to run and can stop and be done whenever you want. Outside I tend to run too fast and wear myself out more because I don't know my pace and when I run now and I try to make certain time. I do enjoy the outside scenery more though and the idea that I can't just stop and go in the house when I want If I run 2 miles away from home I have to run 2 miles back.

MellyLikestoRun

Outside. I'm fortunate enough to own 50+ acres of land that's full of trails, so I can run to my little heart's content without ever leaving home. Plus, I usually start my run between 4 & 4:15 a.m., so it's very peaceful. I get to watch the wildlife while I run and enjoy the sunrise while I'm doing my cool-down & stretching. I'll probably have to move back inside to the treadmill once winter comes since I live in Maine, but I'll deal with that when the time comes.

I am SO jealous! Your property sounds wonderful!

55in13

Lets see, on my recent outdoor runs I have seen a couple of deer, a few foxes, dozens of rabbits, a few hawks (one let me pass within 15' or so; they are getting conditioned to the suburbs). I have gotten several ideas for things to do in the yard. I have been window shopping for extended cab pickup trucks. On the flip side, I have dodged thunderstorms and sweated so much in the heat that I left a trail of drips.

Indoors at the Y track, it is always fairly cool and dry, the track is perfect and there is nothing to step over plus the impact is lower. You do have to watch for people wandering on with weights and not paying attention. Mostly it is just boring. I will do a few laps, then hit a few machines for a couple of reps and then more laps.

I often run over an hour outside; sometimes up to 2. I rarely run more than 15 minutes at a time indoors. I may run 45 in a long gym session if you add up all the laps here and there, but usually less.

ETA - I see most people are talking treadmill inside. I never use the treadmill anymore.

Bry_Fitness70

I've never been chased by a dog on the treadmill, so there are times when that is a better option...

midnight419

Outside.

morningmud

I love outside but can't deal with the Georgia heat during the summer and don't want to run in the dark during winter, so I only get to run outside during spring and (hopefully) fall.

berriboobear

I feel like the odd one out! I love running inside, my treadmill has been my best friend... although I've been cheating on it with Insanity for the past month...

phytogurl

I prefer running outside because it's more entertaining and I like the fresh air. I even prefer it in lousy weather and will dress for it, rather than run on the treadmill!

KimLee76

which do you prefer if you run inside or outside?

I just hate running outside. I think it is so much harder. may be it will be easier to run outside when I get better and I don't have to have the treadmill to make my feet go?

I'm a convert to outdoor.

I hated and I do mean hated outdoor physical activities period other than walking the dog lol. I'm from the south and breaking a sweat outside is something I actively tried to prevent rather than intentionally jump start. At least that's the way I felt until I reluctantly entered my first 5K. The energy from the crowd aside, I noticed that it addressed some other areas of trouble I was having on the treadmill.

One is it combatted boredom. I have listened ot music, watched tv, carried on conversations, and anything I could think of to keep the treadmill from feeling tedious. Still, I honestly found it quite boring. Running outside gives me all sorts of things to occupy my mind from little secret races I'm running against others to the game I affectionately call "name that smell".

Another is my speed has increased. I did not realize that setting my mph on the treadmill was limiting me. I still wouldn't know if it were not for the app on my phone. In addition to my average mph, it also gives me my max mph. I was shocked that my max outside is normally about 5 mph faster than anything I've set on the treadmill. And maybe I'm just uncoordinated lol, but it feels a lot easier and my strides are a lot longer than the balancing act I've been pulling on that little stretch of rubber on the treadmill.

Now, I recognize that the anal side of me definitely appreciates the stats I get from the treadmill. But between the step tracker I was wearing anyway and the route app on my phone, that part of me gets satisfied as well.

fooninie

Outside exclusively. I love how it engages stabilizers and the senses.

spetermann190

MUCH more enjoyable to run outside ... But tready easier on my knees ... So I split it up between the two ...

RonandDi

I'm one of the odd ones, I don't mind running on the treadmill. I get up and watch the morning news while getting my daily 4 miles in. I like running outside and do it as much as I can, but find it easier to get my run in first thing before everyone is up.

Also, I think that running outside is easier than inside, I can cover a lot more miles, quicker outside than I do inside...hills and all.

White_n_Nerdy

Inside. I'm a severe asthmatic, and the a lot of things in the air outside interfere with my breathing abilities. I can make it for 45 minutes at 5.2 on the treadmill inside, but I last maybe a max of 5 minutes at the same pace outside. It doesn't help that I live in Madison, WI for the school year (which is pretty highly polluted) and then Racine, WI for the remaining months (which gets Milwaukee/Chicago/Racine pollution).

Honestly though, as long as you're exercising, does it really matter WHERE you're doing it?

Codefox

I'm always shocked when I hear someone say they think the dreadmill is more enjoyable than a run outside. I'm glad that it is easier to up the speed on that medieval torture device so that I can get my miles logged and get off the thing quicker. I don't even take music with me when I run outside...the changing scenery is all I need. 8)

SquishyVicki

Outside!!
On the treadmill I cannot even manage a mile without finding an excuse to stop - every step is torture!! Outside though I LOVE

Coquette6

I prefer running outside. That said, I'm a pretty fairweather outside runner. Not too much wind, no rain, not too hot, not too cold, not too humid, no bugs... If I waited for ideal conditions outside, I'd probably run about 6 times a year. So I use the indoor track at school, it takes away my various weather-related excuses. Not as good a workout (no wind resistance, no hills, etc), but it's better than not doing it at all. I do prefer the track to the treadmill, because I prefer to set my own pace (speed up if I feel good, slow down if it's getting hard, no faffing with buttons between intervals since I'm currently doing C25k) and while I'm going around in ovals, at least I feel like I'm covering distance.

bipsqueen

I like both, I use the treadmill when it's extreme outside, and I use it to push myself to go faster. When it's warm/cool enough outside, I love running where the scenery changes, as does the terrain.

FlabFighter86

Outside. I get so bored and distracted on the treadmill. Love the smell of pollen, fresh cut grass, like looking out over the sea. And if it rains, it cools me down. I come back feeling refreshed rather than exhausted.

alienrite

Treadmill is my go-to guarantied run every morning and supports my consistency. Outdoor running is what it is all about though and I savor and enjoy every time I get the chance to do it. 5AM runs are tough though in the cold and/or dark. I am enjoying the long days now and hopefully won't get chased back inside until September. Still my treadmill waits patiently making sure I have no excuses not to get my run on.

Justact1

I get bored running inside. Outside, there are so many more options.