Active Community: Message List - treadmill vs outdoor running?

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

dxbrunner — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:36:07 GMT

Unfortunately sometimes we have to revert to treadmills, if like me you live in a hot climate there's no choice. Here in Dubai today the temp was 34o/c at 6am and is hovering around 37o/c now (11.30pm) with around 85% humidity. My run today consisted of treadmill looking out the window and praying for the cooler weather at the end of the month early October.

Personally I hate treadmills but where needs must it's the best option and it's far better than the couch..!!!

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

stephanie horns — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 03:17:54 GMT

I live in Palm Springs, CA....running in the dry heat, you get used to it. 75 degrees - we need a jacket. We have about a month of humidity here so I take advantage of it and run outside since I am not used to the heavy air. This increases my time on the treadmill for longer distance runs and helps out alot with interval training. The big advantage is that when I race where there is some humidity, my body doesn't flip out. I try to run in uncomfortable weather conditions ....without injury, I believe that some pain means I am getting stronger.

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

exc176 — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:09:00 GMT

First of all I would like to say, You are awesome! You have made done so much! Lost weight, decreased your time... WOW.

I started running back in August using a treadmill. It's great way to start out I think. It helped me with my pace and it was good. Sometime in March I began running half of my runs off the treadmill. I ran on the track. Holy, the first time was hard and I remember that running 4 miles on the flat track killed me. I was sad because I was running sooo slow outside than I was on the treadmill. Back in the day, I would run a 10 minute pace on the treadmill and a 11 minute pace outside. But I kept at it. When I decided to run my half marathon, I started doing my long runs on the treadmill (8 miles) in March and my short runs on the treadmill. Weaning yourself off the treadmill is key, I think. It will take time. But I know that you can do it. When I went home for summer my brother introduced me to hill workouts! I started running all my miles off the treadmill and on the road. There were several things i noticed:

1) the wind is killer...it hurts to push against the wind. I almost died when i ran my first 8 miles off the treadmill. I was lethargic the entire day. laughs

2) the sun is killer...it makes you feel heavy

3) Keeping pace is more difficult..so the slowing down and speeding up makes the run more difficult. ALthough the pace i ran on the treadmill helped me a lot in remembering what a 10 min. pace felt like

4)You can push yourself...you can run faster if need be and slow down on a whim...You are more attuned to your body. This is sorta difficult to do on the treadmill...

So, I agree with the post above..it's best to try to get off the treadmill. I know how hard it is but it's possible. Running on the road is more fun! It is also more interesting.

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

robbie777 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:50:35 GMT

Hope I can chime in as a newbie. I have trouble running outdoors after running on a treadmill only I feel it is the difference in muscles used. I had foot surgery three years ago due to an extremely flat right foot (calcaneal ostomy and tendon graft). The surgery was a total success. Before the surgery I thought my running days were over. Because of my flat feet (they still are not perfect) I tend to run with no "spring" in my step and the treadmill seems to exacerbate this. I need to use those muscles in the front of the calf?? to push off and I don't seem to get that on the treadmill. For instance when I run on the treadmill I am fine, but when I run outside the muscles on the front of my lower leg become tight and crampy and then numb so my feet just seem to be flopping down. Any ideas on exercises for these muscles would greatly be appreciated.

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

Lovin2TRI — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:33:18 GMT

Fartacus' comments hit exactly on how I feel - STAY POSITIVE and give yourself a pat on the back for all that you accomplish. Don't knock yourself if you slip now and then. And If you don't enjoy what you are doing, what is the reason for doing it? Fartacus - you obviously have a sense of humor (your name alone gives ME a chuckle! LOVE IT!). I will never be a world-class runner or come in #1 in any race, but my personal accomplishments in the past year (my first year as a runner) have kept me going. Sure, I have a bad run now and then, but I look back at where I was a year ago when I couldn't even run to the end of the street, and I tell myself, "Hey, look how far you've come!" That's the only time I look back, by the way....

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

Fartacus — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 06:32:30 GMT

I know that others have already stated the differences between running on a treadmill vs. outdoors so, I will just remind you of your own words.

"I started running about a year ago on the high school track and

initially I could not even run the 100 yard straight stretch but I kept

at it week after week until I had built up to a coupla miles."

That alone is a great accomplishment. Before you hangup those shoes of yours, think about how far you've come.

I wish you the best in your run in Sept.

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

spenney — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 03:12:14 GMT

i would def. not run on a treadmil whenever you can b/c it does half on the workout for you... besides running outside is way more fun... especially when you have friends with you... with a treadmil the ground moves for you... outside youre the one who has to move... plus you get used to diferent weather situations... which is good for races

[http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=311672&id=768540627&op=5&view=all&subj=522945260]

my friend (478) and i (386), despite being from different schools train together and push eachother to run faster... its great other wise i wouldn't run as much and it wouldn't be as fun...

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

lenzlaw — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:03:58 GMT

Norbertt wrote:

So I get that the treadmill is worse then running outdoor , but what ahout running on an indoor track ?

Not worse, just different. Allowances must be made. Some elite runners preparing for a spring marathon in poor weather conditions, have done 90% of their training on a treadmill. An indoor track would be like an outdoor track without the wind and weather. Road surfaces aren't quite as smooth so it is still helpful to get out there sometimes.

Len

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

Norbertt — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 19:31:29 GMT

So I get that the treadmill is worse then running outdoor , but what ahout running on an indoor track ?

Re: treadmill vs outdoor running?

TerraRunner — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 12:04:35 GMT

"Is there a difference in performance on a treadmill and outdoor running?"

Are you kidding? You know the answer to this question. You are living proof! I know you are down on yourself right now about the difference you've felt physically, but let's look at what you've accomplished: You went from not being able to run 100yds to being able to run 6 miles at a stint. Huge accomplishment #1. Again, you went from not being able to run 100yds to doing 4x5 mile runs a week. Another huge step. You reduced your running pace from 15 min/mile to 11min/mile. If I could cut my per mile time by 4 minutes, I'd celebrate like it was 1999! And, you lost 70lbs all while doing this! That has to feel wonderful! Let's think about the health benefits of that...less pressure and strain on your heart and the the organs your vessels supply. You probably reduced your cholesterol numbers. Have you had blood work done lately? Do it and compare with former bloodwork before you began running. You've probably increased your natural life span by a number of years. All that said, I do hear your frustration. I agree with your husband. I think it's the air your breathing. Have you tried to baby-step some training to ween you to running outside again? I've found that when winter turns to spring, and spring turns to summer, I need about 2 wks to adjust (while running outside during those two weeks) to the new weather. I just ran for a week in Bermuda (I live in CT) and took a couple days to adjust when starting to run back in CT. Give yourself time. Also, I've used an inhaler in the past for exercise induced asthma. May-be ask your M.D. about that option.

Boy, you are stubborn. I just read the last line of your email. Re-read it again picturing someone else saying it, and see if you don't find a little stubbornness in it.

Run outside for about 2 wks to a month and be aware of how your breathing feels during every step. Log it so you can look back on it. Don't throw away your shoes. You just need some outside time. GET OFF THAT TREADMILL except for the coldest winter months.