Treadmill vs. Pavement

Get a headlamp and run outside.

This is exactly what I do in the winter months. Back out behind our housing development it's very rural. Fields, dirt roads, woods, and no lighting whatsoever. I never see anything but skunks, coyotes, rabbits, and cattle out there. You're going to feel a tad spooked the first time or so but when you get used to it you're going to really love running at night with a headlamp. It's very calming.

And the best part is, on those rare nights when it's crystal clear and the moon is full, you can just turn the headlamp off and run by moonlight. There is nothing, absolutely nothing, like it.

I agree completely with this. I love moonlight trail runs when the weather permits

Full moon runs are awesome. I love running when it is quiet and no one else is out and about.

Have you run on a treadmill before? If so, you should know how it compares for YOU to running outside. If not, try it and see how it compares. Most people say it's easier. On my old treadmill (a new and expensive NordicTrack one) it was HARDER. I had that treadmill replaced under warranty with a different, more expensive model, and now, it's EASIER on the treadmill. But not significantly so. I would say one run a week outside is plenty. I trained for my half last winter mostly outside. I hope to do the same half next April. I won't be doing most of it outside though - just a long run on weekends. I didn't really enjoy blue lips and ice covering my face LOL. I think ideally running outside is better, but I think it's perfectly doable to use a treadmill for much of your training. They're not all long runs after all.

I live in Michigan so it's cold and snowy. Here's what I looked like most of last winter LOL:

Are you a ninja?

I train both, I'm in NC and running outside during the summer months was nearly impossible unless it was at 5:30 am, so if I didn't make that run time, I had to run on the treadmill, or risk passing out in the 90+ degree weather. Right now we're in a rainy mess, so most of my runs this week except for my long run will be on the treadmill. I find the treadmill to be quite miserable for me, mainly because I get bored, but I do find that it helps me pace myself, which is something I struggle with outdoors. I tend to set my treadmill on a 2-3% incline while running indoors or put it on a "random" program so I do get some incline. I can't say if its good or bad, I think its about preference.

However, if you're following one of Hal Higdon's novice programs you should only be running 4 days a week with 1 day of crosstraining. I do my weekday runs on T,W,Th, and long run on Sat, but you could do W,Th,F (this one outside since you said you have a half day) with a long run on Sunday. That way you get 2 runs a week outside. I feel well prepared for my half with running only 4 times a week. You also have 7 months until your half, so that should be PLENTY of time to train, and you should have some time with it getting lighter before the half to do most of your long runs outside as well.

Maybe I can do a couple short runs outside. It's so hard to get used to. Fields and woods makes me feel like something is going to come out and snatch me up. :laugh: I can save the longer runs for Friday and Saturday afternoons.

OP...I'm with you on this one. I live in a remote area too and am scared of coyotes, skunks, cougars and who knows what else is hiding out there. What about the weekend? Can you get a longer run in then? Maybe Saturday or Sunday morning??

Personally I love both. I can get a good workout walking on a treadmill just as much as I can walking on pavement. If I wanted to pick between the two it would be the pavement. Just because of the scenery where I live everything is changing (the leaves etc) fall is happening and I love it. Now winter time I will say that the treadmill is my best friend. But during fall, spring, and summer I prefer going out and walking on the pavement. Either way as long as you are burning calories that's all that matters.