Treadmill vs. Running Outside

Almost any area is a good area to run in, IMO. Just walk out your front door and put shoes on. I've ran in circles on a desert airstrip, up and down boardwalks, in the city, in the swamp, in the woods...

I think running outside is a much better way to prepare for..um...running outside. But if treadmills indeed are your only option, expect to be a little bit slower on race day when you have to contend with the environment, weather, other people, terrain, etc.

Treadmill and outdoor running are very different if you ask me! I started my jogging/running on my treadmill, did that for 6+ months, was up to 5 miles without stops......then I went outside to run......I don't think I made it a mile before I had to stop and walk! The treadmill gives and is very forgiving on your body, where the pavement is not! So, if you want to run in races and marathons, your training needs to be outdoors. I have been running outside now for a month or so and I am just now getting back to about 4 miles. Good luck to you! Oh, and outside is a lot more entertaining then the treadmill too, lots more to look at!

I would try to run outside as much as possible if you are going to sign up for something. I do about an average of 5 miles a day on the treamill, however when I run outside, 2 miles feels like 5!!! I do live in an area where its all big hills though. Good luck!

Before I ran my first 5K I trained almost exclusively on my treadmill and by the 3rd km had horrible shin splints due the change in surface. Since then I've run outside almost exclusively all year 'round (I'll suffer on my dreadmill if there's freezing rain, other than that I'm outside)

Treadmills are a great way to start building up your endurance but the running mechanics are not the same. The belt tends to propel you and the normal reaction is to lengthen your stride which leads to heel striking (something you want to avoid).

Treadmills can also be used no matter the weather or the time. Depending on your schedule that may be a safer alternative.

If you're doing most of your training indoors you should make a point of getting outside at least once or twice a week just to acclimate to the different running surface.

On a treadmill you have a lot more control of the incline, your environment (ie allergens!), your speed (sort of), how long (sort of) and stuff like that. Outside is a lot less boring, you can use your music to pace yourself and your breathing (as on a treadmill, but you don't have a concrete number), and running outside for an outside run is probably the best way to train.

I've been solely training with a treadmill, set with an incline of 3%. I took my first outdoor jog yesterday. Used the same music I've been using on the treadmill, and found the run to be just like the treadmill run! Even when I hit the incline, I had no problems outdoors. Actually, the trickiest part was where I had a decline! It was so easy to get going too fast! LOL.

Both are great, in my opinion. Just understand the differences between them!

If you are training for a marathon I would strongly suggest you do no less then 75% of your training runs outdoors. Treadmills are just not ideal. when you do your longest run do you realize you may spend 4 hours staring at a wall or a TV. Ugghh that's the worst part the next worst part is tread mills pull you along. Its totally different propelling yourself across the ground.

The treadmill is much more forgiving on your body - less injuries. Outside running is definitely harder, no doubt!

Why don't you start on the treadmill and build up some endurance and fitness, then start incorporating outside runs slowly?

I don't know if there are strict pros and cons really... but I personally hate running on a treadmill... I feel like I'm a rat on a wheel...

Running outside will wear you out. Seriously. There is less cushioning in the ground, not to mention the fact that you have to propel yourself forward without the help of a rotating belt. Many people who usually run treadmillls can regularly clock good times for distances, and then find they can't even get 10 minutes without feeling like dying outside. There are some people for whom is doesn't make any difference, of course, but the average person find it much more difficult.

I would try and get at least 40-50% of your runs outside, so that your muscles can adjust to the change in surface. You definitely don't have to do it all outside, but doing that much will help a ton.

You can train on a treadmill with no problem. Living in Montana, winters kind of make it necessary, just set it to 1% incline and that will make it feel more realistic to running outside.