Running Outside vs Running on a Treadmill

bshedwick
bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
edited October 6 in Fitness and Exercise
I mix my runs between outside and on a treadmill at my gym. I seem to have to put out a lot more effort to run the same speed inside on the treadmill than I do outside.

I can sustain 6+ mph outside for a lot longer than I can on the treadmill. (Always run at 1% incline on the treadmill) Anyone have the same issue? Any clue why its easier to run faster outside?
«1

Replies

  • afigueroa_pr
    afigueroa_pr Posts: 344
    You kidding? I have the opposite problem. My treadmill runs are easier than the ones outside. Probably because of the wind resistance, you're actually moving forward against air instead of staying put and just moving your legs.

    :laugh:
  • smbakke77
    smbakke77 Posts: 273 Member
    It must be due to the resistance on the treadmill as opposed to the ground not moving under your feet? I have the same issue as well.
  • MsP90X
    MsP90X Posts: 1,053 Member
    I have the same problem... I do much better and am more consistent outside
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I think that may be it. That combined with a limited area to extend my stride.
  • NiciS72
    NiciS72 Posts: 1,043 Member
    I have the same issue. I think for me it's a couple of things. One, it's more interesting to run outside and see what's going on. And two, outside I can adjust my stride as needed whereas on the treadmill you have to hit a button to get the right speed and it's not immediate. Wish I had the magic answer as I'm not looking forward to being housebound soon when the sidewalks are icy here!
  • sjcply
    sjcply Posts: 817 Member
    It is easier for me to outside too, not sure why! I Hate the dreadmill, no scenery....its just boring! When I run outside, I lose track of time and when I am on the treadmill I am a clock watcher! I usually do my short runs on TM and make a point to do my long runs outside!
  • mwilbur27
    mwilbur27 Posts: 46
    Running better outside might be because of your visual cues. Some people can push themselves further without knowing it when they can look forward and see that they are making progress. It's a mind game thing.
  • tank2260
    tank2260 Posts: 10 Member
    I run a lot better outside as well.

    I think it is the environment more than anything. Running outside gets you somwhere and provides many other things to look at / think about besides how many more miles you have left.
  • Orrgarde86
    Orrgarde86 Posts: 120 Member
    I do almost all my running outside. I haven't been able to get on with a treadmill very well! I'm dreading it if the weather turns too bad, that I'm going to have to go on the treadmill...
  • drizzella
    drizzella Posts: 27
    I hate running on a treadmill. I think because I am constantly looking down at the numbers and getting frustrated. For me, running is as much mental as it is physical. So, when I am outside, I can tell myself, that if I can just get to the next tree or post, or landmark, then I can slow down..whereas on the treadmill, I feel like a rat on a rubbermat. So, then I just find myself watching the numbers thinking..surely I have gone such and such miles... Plus, outside, I don't feel so self conscious of the treadmill making all it's rickety noises of the 300+ people that have slammed on it before me, that may have loosened the bolts that cause it to make that horrible loud "WOMP WOMP" noise. Or is that just me, that is making that noise? Outside, I can do speed drills and really feel powerful. At least that's my take.
  • live4turns
    live4turns Posts: 314 Member
    Adrenaline...soaking in the natural atmosphere around you. There is no doubt this does it for me.

    ...and a good playlist :D
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    Physically, it's actually easier on a treadmill becuase you don't have to propel yourself (because the ground is moving for you). It's mostly a mental struggle. The distance is sitting there in front of you, along with your time and pace. You think more about the effort as opposed to getting swept up the scenery etc.
  • farmgirlsuz
    farmgirlsuz Posts: 351 Member
    Maybe its just because there is so much more visual stimuli when you run outside that you aren't concentrating on the numbers on the screen in front of you. I have noticed when I am watching something I am interested in on the TV monitor that my runs fly by but if I am constantly checking to see how close I am to "done" it takes forever!
    Also, when you are running outside you are probably going up and DOWN slight slopes, something you are not doing on the treadmill set at a steady 1% incline, and that too does make a difference.
    Just my thoughts..
  • n_unocero
    n_unocero Posts: 445 Member
    in theory it should be easier to run inside. you're not going forward, no wind resistance, same incline, etc....

    but i seem to run faster outside too. when i log my runs outside i average about a 8:30 mile/7mph, but when i go that fast inside it seems like i get tired much faster. maybe it's the boredom of being on the treadmil? when im outside i don't think about running, my mind wanders to other things, but when im inside all i think about is the time...and i can't wait to be done. so maybe it's just you enjoy yourself more outside which gives you more adrenaline to go faster?
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    We are not even close to the worst time of year for bad weather here in Maryland, so I'll have to do the first part of my Half Marathon training at the gym on the treadmill, but I can't wait for the weather to get better so that I can run outside even more.

    Got to be a mental thing. Staying in one place vs actually moving forward.
  • Delia_Jane
    Delia_Jane Posts: 6
    I switch week to week, I feel different muscles tire after running outside, then another set when I start my week on the treadmill. My treadmill makes me work harder to keep up the speed that I use outside. I was thinking it was the mechanism itself isn't standard or regulated correctly.
  • BerryH
    BerryH Posts: 4,698 Member
    I find the dreadmill far harder at the same speed than outside. For me it's a combination of no moving air - I overheat really easily - and lack of distraction; even great tunes or something on TV don't distract as many senses as all the sights, sounds, sensations and smells of the great outdoors as the seasons roll around.
  • jogdog
    jogdog Posts: 89 Member
    I have the same "problem" as well and have asked that question before and never really found out why. I run slow, but when I run outside and use a gps to track distance and speed, my speed is consistently around 5.1-5.2. However on the treadmill I can never get to 5.0 and I usually am comfortable at a speed 4.8. I love running outside, but this cold, damp weather makes it hard for me and I will be moving to a treadmill soon, but probably capping my runs to 30 mins. Can't stand being on a treadmill for longer than that.
  • Mollydolly10
    Mollydolly10 Posts: 431 Member
    I'm the SAME way as the OP. For me, I think it's definitely mental.

    Being on the treadmill all I have to really focus on is the numbers on the screen and the wall/tv in front of me. When I'm outside, I almost lose myself in the run, I'm not worried about my mph and all that, but I end up going much faster!
  • TNGURL
    TNGURL Posts: 89 Member
    Yes, now that cold weather is here I am forced to run on my treadmill. HATE HATE the treadmill versus outdoor running. I have a beautiful park to run in during warm weather... obviously lots of scenary & distraction from the task at hand.

    While on the treadmill, I have nothing to look at, but the screen & that's just uncool! Time passes so slow because I'm watching the clock & mileage count... I think I'm gonna start covering up the screen or something... LOL!

    Honestly, I've even thought about moving it to another location in the room.... just to maybe do something different?? Who knows.... good luck to all of us during these l-o-n-g winter months!!
  • clutterqueen
    clutterqueen Posts: 1,652 Member
    I'm sensing there is the boredom factor with the treadmill. You can mostly eliminate that by doing intervals. For a while, increase your speed .1 every 2 minutes until you max out, then bring it down for 2 minutes recovery. Then do the same with increasing incline .5 every 2 minutes until you no longer feel comfortable, then reduce incline every 2 minutes. This will actually improve your outside running. You don't have to use the clock to do this; if you prefer increase speed or incline every .2 of a mile or so. I like to keep my incline at least 1.5 or 2 the entire time, that is my "flat" running. Just a thought.
  • meowmows
    meowmows Posts: 9
    I like to run outside because I don't get bored lol. The treadmill is so... boring. Nothing changes on the treadmill, when I run on trails I get to see animals and enjoy nature. i love the woods so that might be why :D
  • kellicruz1978
    kellicruz1978 Posts: 170 Member
    I recently discovered how much more I enjoy running when I am outside, as opposed to my treadmill...maybe this is why it's "easier". For me, the treadmill has become so BORING...but when you are outdoors, the time just flies by. You also don't have to think too much about what you are doing....just run.
  • kellicruz1978
    kellicruz1978 Posts: 170 Member
    I'm sensing there is the boredom factor with the treadmill. You can mostly eliminate that by doing intervals. For a while, increase your speed .1 every 2 minutes until you max out, then bring it down for 2 minutes recovery. Then do the same with increasing incline .5 every 2 minutes until you no longer feel comfortable, then reduce incline every 2 minutes. This will actually improve your outside running. You don't have to use the clock to do this; if you prefer increase speed or incline every .2 of a mile or so. I like to keep my incline at least 1.5 or 2 the entire time, that is my "flat" running. Just a thought.

    This is a good idea, I'm going to try it.
  • the_journeyman
    the_journeyman Posts: 1,877 Member
    I run on the track instead of the treadmill. It feels strange on the treadmill and wears me out much faster.

    JM
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I'm sensing there is the boredom factor with the treadmill. You can mostly eliminate that by doing intervals. For a while, increase your speed .1 every 2 minutes until you max out, then bring it down for 2 minutes recovery. Then do the same with increasing incline .5 every 2 minutes until you no longer feel comfortable, then reduce incline every 2 minutes. This will actually improve your outside running. You don't have to use the clock to do this; if you prefer increase speed or incline every .2 of a mile or so. I like to keep my incline at least 1.5 or 2 the entire time, that is my "flat" running. Just a thought.

    I've been exclusively doing my speed work on the Treadmills (HIIT and tempo runs)
  • surgesilk
    surgesilk Posts: 92
    Running on the treadmill is easier than running outdoors, for a variety of reasons. One reason is that the treadmill belt assists leg turnover, making it easier to run faster. So most runners find that their pace on the treadmill doesn’t correlate to their road pace. Also, some of the soft tissue conditioning or “hardening” that occurs with road running does not occur with treadmill running because the plate or base on the treadmill "gives" more than road surfaces. And, obviously there are no weather conditions to deal with when running indoors. -Running World
  • bshedwick
    bshedwick Posts: 659 Member
    I run on the track instead of the treadmill. It feels strange on the treadmill and wears me out much faster.

    JM

    I really wish that there was a track in a convenient location for me. I'll have to find a high school one to use.
  • keldawm
    keldawm Posts: 35 Member
    Same for me. I have to push myself so hard on the TM. I know it is because it is so boring and the time seems to drag on forever!
  • beckyinma
    beckyinma Posts: 1,433 Member
    definitely the visual cues for me! I prefer outside, but I'm pretty shy, in my tiny town there's always at least 4 people that pass in cars that I know, so it's kind of weird...So for now i'm finding alternatives, like my trainer bike setup, workout videos and karate...
This discussion has been closed.

Categories