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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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.
You’ll also have scenery, fresh air, sunlight (maybe).
I’ll take outside anytime.
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.
I have a love hate relationship with my treadmill. Only love that its there when weather is bad and that's all.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Don't have that issue outside.
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.
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.
I'm selling my treadmill I hate it so much now!!