Runners - Outside or Inside?

Topic pretty much says it all, which do you prefer? and why?
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Replies

  • PunkyRachel
    PunkyRachel Posts: 1,959 Member
    Outside, because I hate treadmills, and don't have a gym membership.
  • HeyGoRun
    HeyGoRun Posts: 550 Member
    Inside.just because I like running very late at night.
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    Outside! Love it. Trail running, especially. Feels more challenging, plus there are more things for me to focus on when I'm outside.
  • Just starting but outside is my preference. Much more engaged in the exercise when going somewhere in nature. However, when it's hot and humid, inside at gym on treadmill.
  • mkphotogirl
    mkphotogirl Posts: 55 Member
    when i first started running, i stayed inside on a treadmill. it wasn't until my first race several months later that i ever ran outside. it's a completely different experience. now i rarely ever use a treadmill because i get bored after a mile or so -- but outside i can keep going. i do like to change up my route a little bit, and it does help that i live in a beautiful area where the weather is temperate year round and the scenery is gorgeous. like other runners, i do also enjoy trail running although i don't get to do much of that anymore.
  • lesteidel
    lesteidel Posts: 229 Member
    Treadmill. Two reasons, I usually run late at night, and I am extremely clumsy.


    Running in the dark when you're accident prone is just asking for trouble on so many levels
  • codeezy21
    codeezy21 Posts: 19 Member
    Outside!! I love running somewhere...the best runs are me running, lost in my music and eventually getting lost and having to gps my way back home.
  • flyingmickey
    flyingmickey Posts: 4 Member
    Outside with my dog.

    I don't have a treadmill and don't want to make room for one. I'm way to cheap to pay for a gym membership.
  • Thanks for the replys, all! I'm restarting a running program after an injury left me unable to do it for a few weeks, I think I'll change it up for the first few weeks and experiment with both until I decide but it seems like I'm leaning towards outside
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    Outside! Hate treadmills
  • Steady state, outside 100% I can't run a 10k to treadmill city.

    HIIT sprints however are all inside, all the time.
  • JL2513
    JL2513 Posts: 867 Member
    Outside, hands down. Fresh air, sunlight, constantly changing terrain and scenery. Freedom at its best.
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I swear I saw a treadmill in Game of Thrones being used as a torture device.

    Outside for me. Treadmill is a last resort. One of my 2013 goals was zero treadmill miles. Still on pace.
  • I swear I saw a treadmill in Game of Thrones being used as a torture device.


    dK9MYCJ.gif

    I run & walk. The thing that tears me out of the house, even when I'm tired, is the scenery.
  • SadFaerie
    SadFaerie Posts: 243 Member
    Outside. Only time I ever ran on a treadmill was when I had my feet checked out for fitting running shoes and the clerk was rolling on the floor laughing at my desperate attempts to keep balance.
  • MinimalistShoeAddict
    MinimalistShoeAddict Posts: 1,946 Member
    I swear I saw a treadmill in Game of Thrones being used as a torture device.

    Outside for me. Treadmill is a last resort. One of my 2013 goals was zero treadmill miles. Still on pace.

    Haha I love this answer. I do use the treadmill occasionally but think I will make running outside only one of my September goals.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    Outside. Why would you pay to run indoors when you can run outside on variable terrain and have interesting things to look at. Sun, Cold, wind, rain and snow it all can be fun and you don't have to pay a subscription.
  • HealthyVitamins
    HealthyVitamins Posts: 432 Member
    Outside every time, love the smell, the weather on my skin. I get to run past people's houses when they are cooking and smell all the different foods they are cooking.
  • __Di__
    __Di__ Posts: 1,659 Member
    Topic pretty much says it all, which do you prefer? and why?

    I used to run on my treadmill, indoors all the time because I would get shin splints if I ran outside. However, I switched to outside after I had my gait analysed and had new shoes fitted and I had that done, after I ran a 5k race and realized that running outside was a little "different" to running on the treadmill.

    I adore running, it has changed my life and I cannot praise it enough. I thank God that I am able to do this activity, seriously.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    Outside, unless there's freezing rain or a thunderstorm. I'm very fortunate to live very close to a recreational path that runs along the Ottawa River. I get to see all sorts of wildlife (deer, duck, herons, rabbits etc etc.) and experience the sheer joy of sunrise along the river.

    The treadmill is a useful tool but I could never describe it as fun, running outside can be sheeer bliss (even in the winter if you dress properly)
  • CathOh
    CathOh Posts: 72 Member
    Outside for sure. Rain or shine, snow or sleet. I haven't run indoors for several years, and still manage to run close to 100 miles per month, even in the great white north. I love seeing other people be active. I love the fresh air, the sun... nothing is better.
  • YoBecca
    YoBecca Posts: 167
    Outside - for all the reasons listed above, and also b/c it helps me feel in touch with my community. Both my physical community - I've seen my entire town by foot, seen what's happening on all the streets, etc. - but also the community of runners. As a former non-runner, I like being able to consider myself part of that community - and that happens by getting out there, saying hi, learning the etiquette, etc.
  • HeartRN77
    HeartRN77 Posts: 39 Member
    I do both weekends usually outside since during the week I have too get up very early to exercise I feel that I get a better run in outside
  • meerkat70
    meerkat70 Posts: 4,605 Member
    Outdoors, all weathers.
  • Altruista75
    Altruista75 Posts: 409 Member
    I'm just getting into to it but I find that I run so much better (longer & faster) outside than on a treadmill! If the outdoors could be climate controlled, free of creepy men that bug you while you run (my newest experience) and loose dogs then I think I would run out there all the time! I will still use my treadmill when I have to but I definitely prefer it outside!
  • Topic pretty much says it all, which do you prefer? and why?

    Outside, definitely. Running is way more fun for me when I am going somewhere. Plus, I like to drive past places I've run or hills I've done and think, wow, I can't believe I ran that far/long!

    That said, it sucks during weeks like this where it was 100 degrees and 90+% humidity all week, but you take the good with the bad. I spent the week looking at cold weather gear to remind myself it's only temporary!
  • mlogantra76
    mlogantra76 Posts: 334 Member
    Definitely outside although years ago I did it inside. Right now, I run 5ks on the weekends and my training runs during the week are done in the early morning in the dark.. If its a training run, I like to get it done before work and I find outside is not as boring. I have found that when I run on a treadmill, it aggravates my feet problems. I have bunions that don't hurt if I wear the right shoes/dress shoes/ etc... However, even with good sneakers, the pounding of the treadmill hurts my feet.

    edited to add. I don't mind running in rain, snow, etc.... As long as its not lightning or thunder as that is not safe. To me, it just adds variety and challenge.
  • Outside. It's so much more liberating than being stuck on a treadmill. :smile:
  • Outside as well. Trail running is a very meditative experience.
  • Myhaloslipped
    Myhaloslipped Posts: 4,317 Member
    Outside. I get bored with it so quickly when I do it on a machine.