Treadmill Running vs. Actual Running
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4bugsmama
Posts: 3,200 Member
I have started running on my treadmill, and have ran a few times. My question is how this running compares, in your experience, to outside running. I would like to get to the point of going outdoors for my runs when the weather is a bit nicer and not so cold. But I'd like to know what I can expect when I head outdoors. TIA
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Replies
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In my experience, running on a treadmill is physically much easier than running on the road, but mentally much harder. While running on the road is much harder physically, but easier mentally. The treadmill does some of the work for you, plus you don't get the terrain differences.
I've recently relocated to a rural area where it's not safe to run on the narrow country roads, so I've been running on the treadmill and I'm hating every minute of it.18 -
It’s not really ALL that different in my experience (on flat, even road). The road is a bit more difficult because you must pace yourself (which takes some time to learn), there are elevation changes, uneven surfaces and road camber, etc. There’s also traffic (and other people).
You’ll also have scenery, fresh air, sunlight (maybe).
I’ll take outside anytime.4 -
VioletRojo wrote: »In my experience, running on a treadmill is physically much easier than running on the road, but mentally much harder. While running on the road is much harder physically, but easier mentally. The treadmill does some of the work for you, plus you don't get the terrain differences.
I've recently relocated to a rural area where it's not safe to run on the narrow country roads, so I've been running on the treadmill and I'm hating every minute of it.
I feel the same way. It's icy where I am right now so I'm back to the TM. I hate it, but get that it's all in my head. I can't wait for spring when I can run on the trails (even flat) again. I find 10K hard on the treadmill but was doing 15K before the snow came with about the same level of difficulty.
One thing I do dislike about the treadmill is the constant pace. Running outside I can do a faster average pace, but will vary it (without really thinking) as I do the run. 5K on the treadmill at 6 min/km seems tougher than finishing a 5k Parkrun under 28 minutes.6 -
Thank you for the input! We have great outside weather most of the year and I want to prime myself for when I can head outside. I love the sun too, so I am excited that running outside is a possibility for me for the first time in forever!4
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I actually find outside running easier -- the time goes faster, and my body can do its natural pace, instead of being constrained to one constant.6
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I think if you enjoy running on the treadmill you will LOVE running outside even more.
I have a love hate relationship with my treadmill. Only love that its there when weather is bad and that's all.
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I'm not a runner anymore, but when I was I found outdoor running to be physically more difficult but mentally much easier because the dreadmill is boring and the time seems to stand still.
Outdoors you have to contend with elements such as wind and weather, as well as uneven surfaces and harder surfaces among other things...but you also have wonderful scenery and fresh air and the time goes by so much faster. I usually put up better times outdoors even though it was physically more demanding simply because it was that much more enjoyable.4 -
I like both. With my current treadmill, it is a lot easier to run outside. I think my hand me down treadmill is always at an incline, even at the lowest point, because it is really hard for me to run a full 5K without needing to walk. I thought I was just sucking at life when I started running on it. But then on my first run outside after getting it, I felt so energetic and ran that 5k so quickly that I immediately knew something was up with the treadmill.
I really like running on my treadmill though because I have a sweet set up in my home gym and get to watch Netflix and have climate control and I can take my shirt off and look like a gross hag and none of that matters at all!
ETA (because I just read some other replies): I'm never at a constant speed on the treadmill. I'm always switching from 3.5 to 3.8 to 5.5 to 6 to 5 back down to 3.5, adding incline, taking away incline, etc, etc. Always changing. And if I'm on a "long run", I always increase by .1 every quarter mile till I'm at my personal max.3 -
I used to love outdoor running a while back but now I just getting back to exercising, I find the treadmill much easier to get started. Eventually I will get back outdoors because its very boring on a treadmill. I used to run in 20 degree temps outdoor as well it never bothered me.1
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I'm a distance runner and love running outdoors and do it as often as possible but will go inside when the weather just won't cooperate (and i mean usually just ice as I will run in the rain outside). My only suggestion to help transition to outside from inside is to run inside at a 1% incline and NOT flat. A consistent 1% helps your body adjust to the change in terrain even on flat roads (is a road ever really flat) as well as wind drag. You may want to google it so you don't think I'm nuts but running on a zero incline inside is not a good thing.4
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In my experience, it hasn’t been that different. For whatever reason I feel like I’m going so much slower on the road but then my average pace at the end is pretty much what I set it to on the treadmill (I usually just set one pace and go) so it must be some kind of mental thing.
It’s way too cold and icy for me to be running outside right now so I’ll be on the treadmill for the next couple months until it warms up again.1 -
It's interesting... given that it's the same basic movement, they almost feel like completely different activities (indoor running vs outdoor running).
For me, I'd so much rather be outside... so running outside is FAR easier than running indoors. Yes, most of this is mental, but it's enough to make the treadmill *seem* very difficult.
Others will give you the opposite perspective, feeling like the weather or their safety or some other factor makes outdoor running much more "difficult", and that the treadmill is much easier for them.3 -
I am so grateful to be able to run year round outside. Yes, it's cold and rainy, but I'll take that over a treadmill any day. Even just the sound of people's feet pounding drives me nuts. That said, I only run 1-2 times per week. The rest of the time is swimming or lifting. I LOVE trail running for so many reasons, that if I get on a treadmill, I usually just walk fast. I'm clumsy and don't do well with that belt moving under my feet.1
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I run at the gym and it took me trying 3 treadmills before I settled on one. The one I usually run on (next to the wall) had someone on it. There was someone on the far end as well, so using the basic urinal rules, I grabbed the middle one. Nope. Too noisy. It clunked with each step. Moved one to the right next to the guy running and could not get the thing to start, so two to the left next to a lady running and finally settled in.
Don't have that issue outside. 2 -
I feel like I should just go out and do it! Bad weather be damned
If I can do a steady 15 minutes on the treadmill, I can surely muster up the energy to do as much outside. Maybe not as quickly or as easily, but I am determined to do this! This, by the way is a HUGE milestone for me. I was once so sick with asthma that I had to be confined to a hospital bed with a tent over it so I could breathe. Sure, it was when I was a little girl, but that mental block of not doing strenuous activity has held me back for sooooo many years. I want to go out and do what I've never done before. I want to feel the cold wind against my face and through my hair as I run. Sounds silly, but this is so invigorating and freeing 
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The main thing I noticed in going from treadmill running to outdoor running was how many little muscles you use to stabilize yourself running outside. The treadmill is perfectly flat and even. If you run on trails or even roads you have to balance yourself from side to side, on slants, over/through holes and bumps, and go around corners, etc.6
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Despite the science stating/supporting that running on the treadmill is easier, running outside feels easier for me both mentally and physically. I prefer to run outside, but I own a treadmill that I use during cold weather and dark early morning runs (which means November through March for me) and I typically pass the time watching Netflix.
For you, If you don't have much or any experience running outside, I would recommend that you be prepared to do some run/walk intervals or be willing to take a walk break or two to allow your feet and muscles to acclimate to the terrain, elevation, and concrete that doesn't absorb shock like a treadmill might.3 -
I feel like I should just go out and do it! Bad weather be damned If I can do a steady 15 minutes on the treadmill, I can surely muster up the energy to do as much outside. Maybe not as quickly or as easily, but I am determined to do this! This, by the way is a HUGE milestone for me. I was once so sick with asthma that I had to be confined to a hospital bed with a tent over it so I could breathe. Sure, it was when I was a little girl, but that mental block of not doing strenuous activity has held me back for sooooo many years. I want to go out and do what I've never done before. I want to feel the cold wind against my face and through my hair as I run. Sounds silly, but this is so invigorating and freeing
If you can, do it! Many outdoor runners refer to the treadmill as the dreadmill because they hate it so much.
I am new to running so I will give you my newbie perspective. I live in Maine and when I first started running, I was concerned about the winter weather here. I started running in October so I was able to run outside with no issues but the bad weather was right around the corner. We had a huge snowstorm and I ran on a treadmill. I was a hot mess. I asked the experienced runners for advice and decided I was going to head back outside. Now, I love running when the temps are between 20 and 40! I learned that if I dress for weather 20 degrees warmer than it is outside, I stay warm enough without overheating. I wear a ball cap when it's raining or lightly snowing to keep the weather out of my eyes. I will run outside until it gets into the single digits or the conditions get icy. I run in rain, snow, anything to avoid being on the treadmill. I enjoy the fresh air, the different scenery, and feel like the time passes quicker. Also, a tip the pros gave me to build endurance that has helped me tremendously, run slow. You should be able to sing without being winded. I sometimes run slower than I walk but it means the difference between running a mile and running three without stopping.5 -
@4bugsmama . . . sounds like your doing awesome! Running outside is WAY better, even in the elements. Temps in the 40's, watching the sun rise is running nirvana. I will say that a treadmill can be great for speed work and sprint intervals, 200's 400's and 800's . . . just set the pace and go. You'll either run at the pace or slide off the back . . . just kidding!1
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In my recent experience I can say that for me running outside is much harder on my body but better for my mind. I just finished 3 months of running only on the treadmill and could run 30 minutes at 6km/hr quite well, when I went for my first run outside I could not walk properly for 3 days due to the doms I suffered. I was shocked! I used to regularly run 30kms a week so my body had fallen back into the rhythm quite well now but that first run was torture.
I'm selling my treadmill I hate it so much now!!3 -
So much genuinely nice and helpful information! You MFP'ers rock! Thank you for the words of wisdom...and honestly feel as though I can do it! Sure, it won't be pretty, but I'll get it done and enjoy the adventure 2
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debrakgoogins wrote: »
I will do that! I may not get this run done today, but I am determined to do it soon! Thanks!1 -
I run on treadmill in the fall and winter. I have done it for about 7 years. I kinda like it and I know I can always run . In the spring and summer I ride bike. The thread mill can be hard on your knees . It makes you keep pace as well..good luck!! Ps I am on my 3ed one
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I work a whole different set of muscles when running outside...I feel it's more effective. I definitely like it more, when push comes to shove I consider the tread better than nothing2
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Poorer.
Yeah, just buy shoes and run they said.
Oh you need good shoes. At least $100. Plus need trail shoes. And they wear out in 3-6 months so need a backup pair when I find a sale.
You should sign up for a race. Budget is ~$500 this year. Not including travel costs.
Gotta train in the winter. So either a treadmill or a gym membership. Should lift too so gym membership. $60 / month (cuz I can't lift heavy at PF).
Need running tights. Need compression shirts (I hope to not need these when I lose my belly). I don't need them, but sports bras or those things go flopping all over the place.
Join the local running club (another $35).
Running at night so headlight, light up thingy so cars can see me.
*kitten*. Wife is getting into it as well. More shoes, shirts, bras, tights
Oh, and a fitness watch. Hey look at this new one on sale. Hey wife, have my old one and I'll get this one.
Oh, now that I can run let's take up cross country skiing for fun. Just dropped $700 on a new set of things.
About the only thing saving my wallet is I spend way less on fast food and eating out for lunch than I used to.10 -
@Tacklewasher you sound very professional at this running thing! It will take me awhile to get to your level, but thank you for the image of things to come 1
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@Tacklewasher you sound very professional at this running thing! It will take me awhile to get to your level, but thank you for the image of things to come
Scary thing is, I'm not. I've talked to people who do multiple marathons a year (I'm hoping for my first this year) and some of the money spend is ridiculous.
But then I really am spending less on beer these days 5 -
I started my running on the TM because I was embarassed to run outside. After I finished C25k, I began running outside and was shocked at how much harder it felt. After a couple of weeks, I got used to the different surface and varying inclines and it felt easier than running on the TM. I do most of my running outside now, but I'll still use the TM if it's raining, icy, or really hot and humid. I'm faster outside and enjoy it more, but I'm very happy to have the TM when I need it.3
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