treadmill vs outdoor running

I can run outside for over an hour, past 30 mins on a treadmill i get super bored, even with music or a tv going.
I feel like a hamster on a wheel. I have noticed that i dont get as good a workout leg wise on a treadmill due to its moving and Im not. Its a winter routine for me due to ice, but when i can get outside. I much rather that.

I find the control you have on a treadmill one of its better features. Regulating speed is easy on a TM, not so much outside, especially for a new runner unless you use a GPS watch. If you run an out and back route outside, or even a loop, once you are out there you are committed for that distance back. On a TM you can stop whenever you want and will be right where you started.

I use both but prefer outside by a long shot. It's more challenging physically, but much more visually stimulating. When I run outside, I tend to listen to my body more on how fast it wants to/ can go. That being said, I do love my treadmill for rainy or scorching days, or days when the kids won't let me leave the house.

Philtex wrote: »

I find the control you have on a treadmill one of its better features. Regulating speed is easy on a TM, not so much outside, especially for a new runner unless you use a GPS watch. If you run an out and back route outside, or even a loop, once you are out there you are committed for that distance back. On a TM you can stop whenever you want and will be right where you started.

This is a good point. I had a lot of trouble when I was a very new runner trying to regulate my pace, and I was constantly going out too fast and ending up exhausted well before my planned route was finished, even if it was a distance I knew I could cover. It was nice when I was starting out to be able to say "okay, 5K at 10:00 min/mile, 1% incline" and then just run without thinking about it.

Most people here will sing the praises of outdoor running and talk about the treadmill like a torture device, but I really don't feel that way. I use both the treadmill and outdoors and I like them both for different reasons. I go outside when I like the weather and it's daytime, inside when it's inclement or dark. Both have their advantages to me but I tend to run a little faster outdoors for some reason.

One thing I do like about the treadmill is being able to blast my music and read a book or watch something or whatever and just zone out completely. It's kind of nice to be able to completely ignore my surroundings for a while. I also like not having to worry about what I'm wearing or carrying and I can just hop on with no fuss. I also live in a fairly cold climate and it's nice to not have to battle minus forty temps and snow and ice and dark for months on end if I want a workout.

Outdoor runs feel a little easier to me because there's a defined sense of how long I'm doing it for based on my route, plus I have a lot more to observe and occupy my mind that way. But everyone is different.

I love the treadmill, no dogs, vehicles and I can open the windows for fresh air. I grab a good book and gradually increase my time and difficulty. Before I know it 30 to 60 minutes are finished.

Outside, off road for me. I get as bored on flat tarmac as I do on a treadmill, plus off road uses more body skills and core muscles. I keep myself entertained by watching the wildlife, trying to pick blackberries in motion and doing my best not to fall over something. Gives me a mental challenge.

I run faster overall outside. I think this is because my pace changes to reflect the surface, I doubt we evolved to run a steady continuous pace. The movement of air over my skin helps evaporate my sweat so keeps me cool, on a treadmill i would most likely give up due to overheating after time.

Plus outside I get to discover new places, I'm constantly getting lost in the woods near me. I'm looking to join a running club soon to explore more places and let other people get me lost.

Not a fan of treadmills at all, but I can see where they've got value for those who can't get out and run in the real.

I get very bored, so I'd rather get kitted up and go out. Night-time running on trails is great fun, and good training for long duration races that'll extend into the night, or night races.

The variation in terrain gives far more training effect, although that assumes you've got ready access to challenging routes. If all you've got access to is flat surface, then you need to use one to give yourself some elevation.

Needs must though, for some.

When i was prepping for a race i only ran on a treadmill. Everyone said that i woukdnt be able to duplicate or beat my treadmill times outside. I beat my treadmill time and won. Turns outi hate running either way.

singingflutelady wrote: »

marciblue1 wrote: »

I love the treadmill, no dogs, vehicles and I can open the windows for fresh air. I grab a good book and gradually increase my time and difficulty. Before I know it 30 to 60 minutes are finished.

You can read while running?

I didn't post this but I can and do on the treadmill often, with my ereader and the font size increased a bit. I just put it on the ledge and tap whenever I need to turn the page.

Granted, I only do this with "easy" runs (for me that's no faster than about a 9 min/mile or 6.8 mph) and wouldn't do it with sprint intervals or anything, but I don't find it too challenging most of the time.

I cant do treadmill running, I get far too bored. But not everyone has the luxury of the right weather or safe area to run in so this is where a treadmill is handy.

Started out running on the treadmill in March. Logged around 12-16 miles a week. Was really nervous about transitioning to outdoor running because runner friends told me that treadmill running is easier as the belt is helping to propel you forward. I have now been doing all of my runs outside for about 6 weeks. Not sure if this is true for most but I find running outside easier once you find a comfortable pace. Something about the sunshine and fresh air makes me feel lucky to be out there running. Dreading heading back indoors this winter!

Before my accident I loved both, treadmill excellent hiit training, can do any time of day, night time etc in any weather, loved running out doors too, but my access to that was difficult as cant leave two small kids alone at home. Both great, but loved my treadmill, just awesome.

I do both. While I like running outside, since I typically train in the early morning, I'll just head to the gym to run on the treadmill during the winter. It's part of my routine. I do some resistance training, some core work, then I'll crank out 4-5 miles on the treadmill. If I want to mix it up, I'll do intervals on it as well. I don't mind the treadmill for runs up to an hour. Weekend long runs are all done outside.

Ugh - dreadmill. I prefer to be outside; any weather, any time.