Guilty! I've never ran on a treadmill before.

thatjeffsmith
thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
So am I missing out on something?

I'll try to get 2 runs in a week, anywhere between 3-4 miles generally.

But am I missing out on something, training-wise?
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Replies

  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    Boredom
    Sweating
    Heat

    Nothing is better on a treadmill ;)
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    just the boredom...dreadmills suck. I only use them when absolutely forced indoors...like pretty much the sky is falling but I still want to get my run in.
  • ArmandoG28
    ArmandoG28 Posts: 283 Member
    easier on my ankles . im 280 so i kinda like jogging on teadmill more
  • janzia
    janzia Posts: 76 Member
    I don't think so. I hate the treadmill and only use it when absolutely forced too. Honestly between the two I find running outside to be harder but I still like it better, the treadmill bores me to death.
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    Right now I'm staring at the rain coming down, wishing I could be running.

    But I think I'll wait for the rain to just stop or let up a bit and have a nice wet run. I never think, well I could use the treadmill at the gym.

    I wonder how many treadmillers think the exact opposite way - have never really ran outdoors?
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Another outdoor runner here.......I used to train on my treadmill until I discovered the joy of running outside all year 'round. We go from -40C to +35C (and humid), the only thing guaranteed to keep me inside is freezing rain.

    Not only is running outside more fun and interesting it provides you with a better workout.
  • janzia
    janzia Posts: 76 Member
    I know there are plenty and they think I am crazy for preferring to run outside. Crazy thing is I own a treadmill so it would be easy to just use it while I know there are runners who actually drive to the gym to use the treadmill. I'll admit though the humidity has been killing me here and the treadmill has been tempting....
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    Anytime I visit my sis in Charlotte, the streets are packed with runners, so you're not alone!

    Here in Raleigh (Cary actually), I try to run in the morning before it gets bad. But often times I'm running in the humid afternoon and just take it at an easier pace than normal.
  • rahlpn
    rahlpn Posts: 551 Member
    Nope, treadmills SUCK!! I just joined a gym and had a free personal trainer session yesterday. Guy told me I had to warm up on the treadmill for 5 minutes. Bumped it up to 5 incline at 3.5, after 5 minutes I wasn't even breathing hard so he said we gotta go faster, bumped me up to 5 and left me there. I did a total of 12 minutes, felt like an eternity! Yeah I got warm but I was secretly hoping the machine would break :/
  • MinnieInMaine
    MinnieInMaine Posts: 6,400 Member
    When I first started running I did all treadmill and didn't have a problem with it. Then I was introduced to running outside and holy cow was that a lot harder! But once I got used to it, I couldn't STAND running on the treadmill. It is way too hard on my joints, totally boring, and I almost get panicky from feeling trapped. I'd MUCH rather run in the rain!
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    Sounds like the personal trainer you had was super creative :noway:
  • southerndream24
    southerndream24 Posts: 303 Member
    You're not missing a thing. When I injured my knee I had to run on the this treadmill that de-weights you at my physical therapists office. It was pure torture to go from a road runner to that. I will run in any type of weather....heat, rain, shine, snow, Hurricane Sandy (yes I went on a 11 mile run the morning it was rolling in). You'd have to drag me kicking and screaming to a treadmill.
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    Thanks everyone for confirming my suspicions :)
  • corgicake
    corgicake Posts: 846 Member
    It's a matter of taste. I have asthma and while what I'm on for it now finally cuts the mustard, I remember when it didn't. I don't want to go 'oh crap' two miles out from the apartment. My tastes run toward cranking the treadmill up to five miles an hour, cranking the music up, and mindlessly going until the music stops.
  • JulieAnn72
    JulieAnn72 Posts: 795 Member
    I'm in Cary too, and this humid wet weather finally drove me to run on the treadmill for my last couple runs. But I ran a lot slower than when I'm outside, and it's a lot hotter and boring. I just had a hard time breathing with the humidity and it's so high even in the mornings when I usually run.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    My #1 running goal for this year was very simple.

    Run zero miles on the treadmill.

    That's how much I love that torture device.
  • Trechechus
    Trechechus Posts: 2,819 Member
    Treadmills are boring, and I find that running on streets is a better workout anyway.
  • oddyogi
    oddyogi Posts: 1,816 Member
    Treadmills are great for creepin' on the homies in the weight room.
  • Phoenix_Rising
    Phoenix_Rising Posts: 11,417 Member
    When I first started running I did all treadmill and didn't have a problem with it. Then I was introduced to running outside and holy cow was that a lot harder! But once I got used to it, I couldn't STAND running on the treadmill. It is way too hard on my joints, totally boring, and I almost get panicky from feeling trapped. I'd MUCH rather run in the rain!

    I'm in Winston, not too far away.
    I have to use the treadmill in spring and fall allergy seasons.
    Asthma is a b|tch.
    It sucks. Boring, boring, boring.
    I prefer to run outdoors, even though it kills my ankles and shins.
  • DavidHusky
    DavidHusky Posts: 112 Member
    Haven't ran a treadmill in a long time - if I'm at the gym now and want to do cardio I use the stair machine or walk the treadmill at max incline.
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    Without a treadmill, running outdoors in Ohio means running across ice, snow banks, and through freezing rain for a good portion of the year. It just makes more sense to get my cardio in indoors instead of busting my *kitten* on the ice or exposing myself to pneumonia.

    Actually treadmill running is not bad if you are listening to music or an audio book or watching TV - it is up to the runner to find a way to mentally endure it.
  • AngelicxAnnihilation
    AngelicxAnnihilation Posts: 336 Member
    I'm afraid of falling on one, so I've never ran on a treadmill either :P
  • Bry_Fitness70
    Bry_Fitness70 Posts: 2,480 Member
    Treadmills are great for creepin' on the homies in the weight room.

    Oh, so you must be the one on the treadmill wearing sunglasses :smile:
  • Pangea250
    Pangea250 Posts: 965 Member
    OMG, yes! You are totally missing out on the monotonous boredom that comes with treadmill running!

    50144801a3a3d015e7e7976364f21855-slinky-on-a-treadmill.gif
  • TribeHokie
    TribeHokie Posts: 711 Member
    I LOVE my treadmill. Hop on, turn on a show from On Demand that I can get sucked in to (currently Game of Thrones), and the time flies.
  • thatjeffsmith
    thatjeffsmith Posts: 110 Member
    Without a treadmill, running outdoors in Ohio means running across ice, snow banks, and through freezing rain for a good portion of the year.

    The weather in Ohio keeps that state, and several others, off of my 'places to live' list. The worst it gets down here is the pine pollen in the spring and down in the 30-40's in the Winter.
  • Silver_Star
    Silver_Star Posts: 1,351 Member
    i love walking in my local park, but when i cant go out, i hook up my laptop with hdmi to my tv monitor ( no cable) and watch a whole movie while walking. I hate looking at the Time on the treadmill...and the calories burned just go by so slowwwwwly, so id rather not know. I put a paper over the display and time flies by faster :tongue:
  • karllundy
    karllundy Posts: 1,490 Member
    Treadmills are great for creepin' on the homies in the weight room.

    :laugh:

    That's funny stuff! Seriously, while I hate treadmills, I don't mind running indoors on a track, which I do 2 days a week, while running outside 1-2 days a week.
  • megan1869
    megan1869 Posts: 166 Member
    I wouldn't say you are "missing out" per se... However, depending on where you live and what the climate is like they can be a cardio lifesaver!

    For instance there are some days living in Clearwater, FL that its just too dang hot to get outside and run - or be safe for that matter while doing it... I hate carrying water with me but water fountains aren't the easiest thing to find conveniently on outdoor runs...

    or while living in northern Indiana... my lungs couldn't take the cold some days or I just didn't want to risk slipping on the ice...

    In short, treadmills can be great filler for cardio that might not else wise be possible :)

    Happy Running~!
  • billsica
    billsica Posts: 4,741 Member
    The ones at my gym have TV's built into each one. It kinda makes me really dizzy to watch.

    Hmm personally. I love to find people who are just walking slowly on it, or chatting and whatever.

    I go for two options:

    A) start at like 4.3 and set it for 25 min or 3 miles, after every minute or so I glance over and smile, then tap the up arrow. I just keep going then about half way I'm in the mid 5's. The treadmill is really starting to churn and whirl, making a racket. By the time I get to 6 (usually were I just leave it) I'm really moving and my feet are slamming down on the thing and the motor sounds like its going to explode. I hot my goal, stop it and jump off and grin.

    B) I'll go stand next to someone on it, and start it at 3.2. I just let it go on full manual and start hitting the incline button. just take it all the way up to 15% incline or whatever in a matter of a minute. I look down, trudging uphill. Then I look down on all I survey and become king of the treadmills.

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