to all the real runners

Who gives a ****, just run.

^This guy gets it!

It's one thing judging internet people, but to judge people in real life by how often they run on a treadmill vs. outside? Hmm, weird.

I run outside and on the treadmill. I don't need to use the weather, time restrictions and the like to justify why I run on the treadmill either. I like running on the treadmill. I also like running outside. Big whup.

I'm not a runner but a cyclist. Bicycle rider to be more specific. If someone told me they only did the stationary bike (recumbent, spinning, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't consider them a cyclist. I would consider them someone who prefers the bicycling simulation machines for cardio. I often do the running simulation called elliptical machines but I don't tell people I jog or run.

There's something about steering and pedaling while navigating traffic, rocks, holes, pedestrians, bicycles and other obstacles that makes it real. If you never ride into the wind or deal with rain or other weather, how is that being a cyclist?

So, if someone like Michael Phelps swims exclusively in pools but never in the ocean or lake, he's not really a swimmer?

No, but I'm not pompous.

This ^^^, so so much of this ^^^

\What's funny to me is that I 'run' outside, and have only ever run outside, because I couldn't afford a treadmill if hell froze over (I have a gym membership, but I only use it for classes and swimming. The actual 'gym' sends my anxiety through the roof!). My 'running' is in 60-second bursts, with 90sec-2 minutes off, because it's all I can manage.

2 weeks ago, I was only managing 30-seconds on, with 2-3 minutes off. I'm improving every day. My BMI is 30 (down from 38 when I started); still 'obese' until I lose another 2lbs. I quit smoking less than 3 months ago. My lungs and breathing are recovering every day, I'm in horrific shape, but holy crap, am I ever working on it. That being said - I might go for a 5-10k walk/run combo every few days, where only 33% of the time is spent running.

There are people who run on treadmills who are a) WAY less fat than I am, and b) in MUCH better shape. I don't call myself a runner, though I'm sure there's people out there at a similar level as me who do. While I don't begrudge them that distinction one bit, you can bet your *kitten* that the people running treadmills for more much longer and much faster are more of a 'runner' than I am right now, and maybe more than I'll ever be.

Um. It's not like running on a treadmill is fake running. Why? Because it's indoors? Is indoor track running also fake because it's indoors?

I grew up in Chicago and it wasn't safe to run in my neighborhood. I ran inside on a treadmill. I didn't crave being outside or care. I liked running. You don't get to determine how people identify themselves, whether or not they're "real" decided solely on whether or not they move "like you."

That's rude. I like all runners. Or joggers. Or whatever they call it/themselves as long as they're happy doing it.

My personal view....if they run (inside or out) they are runners. Doesn't matter if they are the beginners who are starting out with C25K, easy runners who do a few easy 2-3 mile runs a week on a treadmill or if they are the ultra finishers who are crossing Death Valley in under 24 hours...including all those in between. Everyone has different goals, so whatever people do to achieve them...why does it matter?

So, if someone like Michael Phelps swims exclusively in pools but never in the ocean or lake, he's not really a swimmer?

I don't claim to have an opinion about swimmers.

I find that when i run on the treadmill i don't feel as productive or stress relieved as when i run outside. there is something about being outside running completely in your element that the treadmill doesn't offer. but to each their own, and at least they are doing it and bettering their own lives.

I once did 15 miles on a treadmill while watching 'It's a Bug's Life'. It was incredibly productive AND stress relieving! :happy:

But..srs. I know what you mean.

I run outside occasionally (if the weather is just too beautiful to miss), but I actually prefer treadmill running: I find looking at the numbers tick away is super motivating for me. I also have allergies that can make running outside very annoying.

I started running for fitness/weight loss, and didn't really consider myself a runner until I started to enjoy and look forward to my treadmill time

Ah, but Captain, you didn't directly say it. You implied it. Sometimes it really does just come down to semantics. You started a thread called, "to all the real runners," which automatically holds the implication that some runners are NOT "real" runners, which is why some people made the logical assumption that you felt there was, in fact, a distinction. Not to mention, it clearly had some folks immediately on the defensive. Because I'm clearly some kind of masochist, I enjoy a good verbal repartee, so this didn't really bother me, but I do feel obligated to point it out to the crowd. Sometimes what you don't say speaks just as loudly as what you do.

so you're telling me what you think i meant? or are you telling me what you think other people think i meant?

Oh hell...I don't think I remember anymore. I was merely illustrating that by using the words "real runners" the automatic implication is that NOT-real runners exist, so it already indicates bias in that direction, whether you meant it or not. So I think I might be telling you what I think other people will think you might think based on the the title alone, not necessarily on what you really think, but that's just what I think.

I tease people who run on treadmills exclusively. But I admire that they can do it (I'd be too bored).

As for whether they are runners, why not? I log more time on a bike than running these days, still I'd consider myself a runner before anything else...

do you ever find yourself in a conversation with someone who says they run, only to find out that it's only on the treadmill? do you immediately dismiss them as not being a real runner?

I'm not a runner but a cyclist. Bicycle rider to be more specific. If someone told me they only did the stationary bike (recumbent, spinning, traditional, etc.) I wouldn't consider them a cyclist. I would consider them someone who prefers the bicycling simulation machines for cardio. I often do the running simulation called elliptical machines but I don't tell people I jog or run.

There's something about steering and pedaling while navigating traffic, rocks, holes, pedestrians, bicycles and other obstacles that makes it real. If you never ride into the wind or deal with rain or other weather, how is that being a cyclist?

:yawn:

Personally I consider a person that runs on a treadmill just as much of a runner as a person that runs outside. I believe runners come in all shapes and sizes and have different running preferences. I also believe that someone that can only currently run half a mile can be considered a runner. Every runner had to train from running a very short distance to being able to run further and probably faster.

I am currently a treadmill runner. This is mostly because I live in a not so safe neighborhood where running alone isn't really safe, so I hit up the local gym to get my running in right now. I also can only run a mile right now, and at a slow pace (12 minutes last run). I don't think this makes me less of a runner than anyone else. I also spent a great deal of running outside in the past, on bike trails, through neighborhoods (when I lived in a safer part of town), I ran in a couple 5K's... I actually was up to 7 mile runs until I injured my knee. After that I didn't run for quite some time, I actually just started up again. I started back on the treadmill this time, although I do plan to take my runs outside when I have the chance to drive a bit further to find a safer place to do so - or when I have a buddy to run with.

I guess my point is, I try not to judge other runners, and I think if a person considers themselves a runner, then they are.

Whether or not one agrees with the OP, I believe his view is looking at it objectively. Let's look at it from other perspectives of not just the treadmill vs running outside.

If someone runs in the pool (actually does laps back and forth) are they considered a runner?

Is a rhythm gymnast really a gymnast?

Is a bodybuilding really a sport?

Do people that workout solely on machines really lifters?

I believe POV will dictate how some will obviously feel about this. I don't believe there's going to be a definitive answer for any since many categories can be defined subjectively.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
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Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Another point - where do we draw the line? Do you have to achieve a certain speed to be a "real " runner? Tosh! Anyone moving in a forward (or backward) direction at a speed that is faster than their walking pace is in effect running. To say otherwise is exclusionary - so too is it with separating treadmills and roads. Its like saying mountain bikers aren't real cyclists because they don't road race.