Going from treadmill to outside... what's it like?

RunnerFive
RunnerFive Posts: 67 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I can run for an hour on my treadmill anywhere between 4.7 - 5.3 mph. It's hard during the first 20 minutes, but at that hour mark, I feel like I can kep going. Last night I burned 1006 calories doing this.

I want to try running outside and taking advantage of the trail near my house. I heard that it's harder to run outside, but how? What's it like? What makes it different?

Who has made that transition from treadmill to outdoors?
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Replies

  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    LOTS of people will tell you how much harder it is. That you can't run as fast, or as far. I've seen numbers like 50% and 80% of what you can do on a treadmill. I had totally psyched myself out because of this.

    When I made the switch to running outdoors, it was very SLIGHTLY harder physically (and I was a bit sore the next day, which never happened on the treadmill), but so much easier mentally. The biggest thing I think people do is go too fast once the treadmill isn't controlling speed. I didn't have that problem and I was fine. I'm very consistent in my running pace. To help with this, I would recommend using a smart phone app that will call out your speed and pace every 5 minutes to help keep you on track. I use Jog Log now and love it! It costs $1.99 but WELL worth it to me.

    My post about jog log: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/622655-great-running-app-jog-log
  • hottiebikerchick
    hottiebikerchick Posts: 187 Member
    It was harder on the knees without the shock absorbers on the treadmill....was slower, but sweat MORE! and feel much more accomplished when done....you feel like you are actually GOING somewhere...LOL
  • tony2009
    tony2009 Posts: 201 Member
    Maybe it's the environment, but I can run MUCH farther outside. I cannot stand to run in place after knowing it's sunny outside. I can get in maybe one hour on a treadmill before I just get bored and jump off. Outside, I get in 4-7 miles depending on how I feel.

    I also cannot notice a difference between the resistance of a treadmill as opposed to the trails. Maybe it's just me, but you'll never know until you try!
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I experienced some mild shin splints when I made the transition and found that there level of exertion is higher (no moving belt propelling you) but I have no real desire to run on a treadmill any more. (I run outdoors all year 'round, even in the middle of winter & it gets cold here)
  • missywill1
    missywill1 Posts: 23
    Did you slowly work up to running for an hour?

    I usually do intervals on the treadmill but have a hard time with the running---I would love to get more time in running though.
  • Sumo813
    Sumo813 Posts: 566 Member
    Personally, for me... it sucks. You're definitely using more, plus it's harder on the joints. On the treadmill I can easily jog a mile... recently for a fight camp, we had to do a mile run to get to the park we were training at and dear Lord... it was NOT fun. It seemed like my breathing was out of sync, joints hurt more (300lbs will do that I suppose)... this of course is just MY experience... but I'd prefer treadmill running... however, I know that road running is much better as far as exercise is concerned.
  • Dave198lbs
    Dave198lbs Posts: 8,810 Member
    lions and tigers and bears...OH MY!
  • Jellyphant
    Jellyphant Posts: 1,400 Member
    I agree with the top poster. Initially, you get REAL sore. For me, it was because i ran around the block and it was on the side of a small hill. I have a hrm and compared to the exact same distance on the treadmill, I burned 100 more calories running outside [considering the elevation, I guess.]
    It's glorious. Fresh air, hot sun, sweat pouring down your face. AH! I just didnt like that the pavement was hella hot and started burning through my shoes, haha. S'all good, I still have incredible workouts! <3
  • runfatmanrun
    runfatmanrun Posts: 1,090 Member
    It's freedom. Screw the initial pain and crazy drivers, I'd rather run in the rain or snow than run on a treadmill.
  • Tarale1
    Tarale1 Posts: 23 Member
    I found that running outside is a bit harder because you don't have the motion of the treadmill to help you, but having said that, I found that since i started outside 2 days a week (Sat and Sun) that I have seen lot's of improvement. I prefer to be outside, especially since the trail by my house is literally steps away from lake ontario and has tons of scenary.

    I say, put your ipod on (or whatever music device you have), runners and head outdoors - your body will thank you for it later.
  • stepharega
    stepharega Posts: 211 Member
    bump bump bump!
  • Will_Lift_4_Shoes
    Will_Lift_4_Shoes Posts: 238 Member
    I wouldn't say harder as much as it is different. The road feels different than your treadmill does. It will be an adjustment period where you may run slower, but as you get used to where you are running outside you will love it. Now, I can't stand running on my treadmill. Kudo's to you for making it that long on the treadmill!
  • mindysreadyforchange
    mindysreadyforchange Posts: 103 Member
    I started running outside and have in the last month moved to inside on the treadmill...only because I live in AZ and it is blazing hot here. I couldn't hang with the heat anymore.

    I prefer to run outside...it is so much nicer and beautiful. I feel like it helps the time go by instead of staring at a machine. With that being said I feel like I can run longer inside on the treadmill. I think that it is harder to run outside because of the different terrain. You cannot control that when you are outside it just happens. Where as inside you can control it. I also like running outside because I have to finish! I mean I have to get back home right! No choice but to finish! Inside I can just hit stop.

    I will go back to outside as soon as it cools off!
  • RaeN81
    RaeN81 Posts: 534 Member
    I was not as fast (at first) but it was so much more fun. Things to look at, fresh air to breathe and actually movement. You'll love it.
  • capnwo85
    capnwo85 Posts: 1,103 Member
    More sun.
  • kelleybelly35
    kelleybelly35 Posts: 73 Member
    I have always ran outside....just the thought of being stuck on a treadmill for a run makes me shudder : /
  • stfuriada
    stfuriada Posts: 445 Member
    Harder.

    More friction against you, hotter, more noises and distractions.
  • bigbcor
    bigbcor Posts: 5 Member
    I personally only use the treadmill when I have to, i.e., the winter months or when it rains. The rest of the time I prefer flat roads and mostly trail running. Running on the treadmill for me is very boring and when I I finally get on the road I find I actually run faster times per mile as the tread mill holds you at a specific pace. When you run free on the road your pace changes frequently. I have now moved onto mostly trail running and mountain biking as both feel better on my joints than the treadmill or road. Just my thoughts.
  • blynn2708
    blynn2708 Posts: 262 Member
    I found the transition a little harder, but much more enjoyable! To see other runners, getting the fresh air, change of scenery, way better outside! Also, I find my legs are burning more, I feel so much better after running outside! Good luck, take it slow:flowerforyou:
  • donna_glasgow
    donna_glasgow Posts: 869 Member
    simply put, its less boring and colder :)
  • mmsilvia
    mmsilvia Posts: 459 Member
    Everyone is different. I used to prefer the treadmill. I would only run outside about once a month or so but, one day my treadmill died. I never replaced my treadmill and now I love running outside. The fresh air, the freedom ~ everyday is different :smile:

    Although, I live in New England and I know come this winter I will be missing my treadmill.
  • Duck_Puddle
    Duck_Puddle Posts: 3,237 Member
    My biggest challenge was pacing myself. I "felt" like I was going slow enough but was actually going 4-6 min per mile faster than I did on the treadmill. So of course it was "harder" to run outside. It'd be "harder" to run on a treadmill at that speed too (for me). It is a little different (even at the same speed), and you'll probably feel it some in the muscles that stabilize the side-to-side movement of your legs (you'll be using those muscles to adjust to uneven terrain-which you don't encounter on a treadmill). But if you find it significantly "harder"-you're probably going significantly faster (or not keeping an even pace-and even shorter bursts of speed can take more out of you than you're expecting). I lived off a smartphone app that chirped at me every minute telling me how fast I was going-until I finally learned how to slow down.
  • LoraF83
    LoraF83 Posts: 15,694 Member
    I found it was harder. I'm a novice runner and was doing about a mile on the treadmill a few times a week during the winter. Then, I started training for a 5k, which involved running outside. It was a tough transition! It's harder on my joints and in the beginning I was very sore the day after a run. I found it much more difficult to control my breathing (which I already have trouble with). I was also working on increasing my distance, which may have been part of my problems.
    I'm starting to train for a half marathon right now and probably 75% of my training will take place outdoors. I might do a little treadmill running here and there (depending on heat and humidity). I'm learning to love running outside, but the treadmill was definitely easier for me.
  • MamaKeeks
    MamaKeeks Posts: 234
    I am someone who loves instant gratification when I can get it, and the treadmill just doesn't give it! I like to know I am MOVING AHEAD, going somewhere, making distance... so I prefer to run outside. It soothes me more too. I used to run inside all the time bc I thought I looked like a dork running - and I do, but now it makes me feel so good I just don't care! lol

    I think the most important thing for making the transition is your shoes - make sure you've got good ones, the RIGHT ones, because asphalt is more demanding on your body.

    Get out there and enjoy the fresh air! You'll love it :wink:
  • TheAncientMariner
    TheAncientMariner Posts: 444 Member
    I hate the dreadmill with a passion (still a better love story than twilight)! I started running outside from the get go. The few times I've been forced to run on a treadmill it was boring and it made me lightheaded when I stopped. I also cannot run long on a treadmill and I sweat like a pig. I also run slower. I love running outside better because, as others have said here, you feel like you're going somewhere. I always feel like I'm more connected to the world when out on a run. It really is a beautiful thing!
  • MCinSoCal
    MCinSoCal Posts: 87
    I'm the opposite it seems... I started out walking/jogging outdoors but ended up where I almost have to use the treadmill indoors because the bright sun and heat of outdoors was triggering severe migraines for me each time I went out and there were more than a few occasions I was really worried about being able to make it back home....so I moved indoors to the treadmill and while I still get the migraines from time to time they're not near as severe...

    However, I will agree that being outdoors with the scenery and all is nice, just wish I could tolerate it while jogging... :glasses:
  • timboom1
    timboom1 Posts: 762 Member
    The major physical difference, the treadmill moves and you pull yourself forward to keep up, outside the ground doesn't move and you have to push yourself forward. It is slightly harder to run outside because you can't just lengthen your stride a little bit and go the same pace like you can on the treadmill without the same turnover rate.

    Outside is harder on the joints as well, you do have to think more about form and not over striding which will cause all kind of aches and pains that a treadmill with some shock absorption will forgive.

    For me the major non-physical difference is the scenery changes when I run outside, not so much with the treadmill.
  • lbmore33
    lbmore33 Posts: 1,013 Member
    I can do both with no problems...treadmill give me that consistant pace I try to stay with...when I outside, to many variables. The biggest difference you may encounter is just that the variables..control ur breathing...the road conditions...weather...i run at my gym 4 days a week...but ur right the outside scenery is great especially on a beautiful day...when I trained for my first marathon it was in the winter months so outside was challenging...treadmill had to suffice 20 miles 4hrs all treadmill (lovely) lol
  • muddyventures
    muddyventures Posts: 360 Member
    I moved outdoors recently, and I love it, I'm running in the rain too and it just feels so good. I recently went to the gym because it was super windy and I was bored out of my mind at 3 miles (I've been getting 26-30 in a week outdoors). I plan to do my best to stay outside, and I've been able to go further.
  • PittGatorJD
    PittGatorJD Posts: 23
    I actually did the opposite...I started outside before I went to a treadmill. I can run farther, faster, and with more endurance on a treadmill. That being said, I live in Pittsburgh and have to deal with lots of hills. I think this made my treadmill running easier. The biggest difference though? I can't stop clock watching on a treadmill and I get bored. This never happens outside. 60 mins outside feels like 15 mins inside to me....

    Once you learn to enjoy running outside, you'll hate the days you're planning to lift because you know you'll save time just using the treadmill, but you'll yearn for the outdoors.

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