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Re: First outside run...

Dre Day — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 04:47:01 GMT

because old man winter decided to make an early visit to new jersey this year, i had to suck it up and do 45 minutes on the treadmill tonight. needless to say, i am MUCH slower on the treadmill than i am on the roads. i barely got in 5 miles in that time. i normally am doing 5 miles in about 40 minutes on the road. it was a nice steady pace and a warm substitude to the frigid temperatures. however, i know where my next run be taking place....outdoors!!!!

Re: First outside run...

lenzlaw — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 01:40:57 GMT

Lachupa, it's certainly possible to train for a race just on a treadmill. But I think you have to be familiar with running on the road too. A couple Olympics ago, one of the U.S. women trained for the U.S. Olympic Trials almost entirely on a treadmill - 20 mile runs and all.

Len

Re: First outside run...

Joelskig — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:07:52 GMT

I run slightly faster on a treadmill, I just figured it was because I don,t really enjoy the treadmill and try to get done as fast as possible

Re: First outside run...

MikeDaMarine08 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:32:30 GMT

I am with Len,

It has started getting cold here in VA, I decided to run on the treadmill for my run today. I am 6'3" and have a long stride so after I stepped off the belt 4 or 5 times, I donned my gloves and beanie and finished my run outside. I guess it all comes down to preference. I tend to let my mind wander when I run..... I've seen people fall of the treadmill, I don't want that to be me! It could be bruising to the body as well as the ego!

Re: First outside run...

dfitz* — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:04:51 GMT

I don't think it's hard to understand; the physical forces are different... Running to remain stationary on a surface that's moving toward you vs. propelling yourself across a stationary and often uneven surface. Imagine a cyclist trying to train for a road race indoors on a spin bike. They too would quickly learn it's two different experiences! I just realized my dislike for treadmills is similar to my dislike for waterskiing compared to snow skiing. I never liked waterskiing because when you're being pulled you can only go where the boat goes, and you can't rest unless you let go. With snow skiing I can speed up or slow down, I can turn or go straight, I can rest or stop to gawk at the view anytime I want!

Re: First outside run...

lachupa — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:06:28 GMT

I never have quite understood it either, but there is just something different about running on a treadmill versus running outdoors. I ran on a treadmill religiously every day for a year. Then my husband wanted to start running and we started running outside. I thought it was going to be the same and found that even running the same amount of time I was really sore after running outside. I found it quite annoying because I felt like I had been wasting my time on the treadmill and haven't run on it since.

However, I have a friend who trained for a half marathon entirely on a treadmill and did just fine.

so I thought it was me

It still may be, but who knows.

Re: First outside run...

lenzlaw — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:04:12 GMT

Ha! Try running off the back of the thing a couple times!

Re: First outside run...

dfitz* — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:23:26 GMT

If you hadn't run on hills and uneven surfaces before, your muscles and joints would have gotten a little different workout than you're used to. Plus the road is a harder surface, so it's not surprising at all to me that you're sore!

Like Len, I am slower on a treadmill and I find it more difficult to run on. I never really thought about the effort and concentration it takes to keep up with and stay centered on the belt; he has a good point there. I recognize their value as training aids and I own a low-end one for when it's too cold outside, but they are in no way the same as running on the actual ground with actual wind resistance in the actual environment with actual hills (both up AND down) and bumps and dips and sights and sounds and smells!

Re: First outside run...

zookeeperrunning — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:26:27 GMT

Len,

Thanks Len...that does make sense!! I guess it will take some time for my body to adjust to running outside, especially since I can only run outside on weekends!!! I was just sooo focused on trying not to run too slow, thinking my time to finish would take much longer, that I didn't realize I was actually running faster!! I made sure to mark each mile, so this weekend when I run road side again I can clock each mile exactly, and get a better idea of what I'm running...and I guess that means I should start focusing on some more speed work on my treadmill, since now my treadmill runs are saved for shorter distances!! Thanks again for your words of wisdom!!

KEEP ON RUNNING!!:)

Carey

Re: First outside run...

lenzlaw — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:12:59 GMT

I have my own feelings about this, because I find it harder to run on the treadmill than outside. The reason, for me, is that I have to work harder to maintain an even pace and to stay on the belt. It's a much more "controlled" run. As a result I usually go a little slower inside. On the road, if I misstep or my mind wanders and I slow down for a hundred feet or so, it doesn't matter. The road's not moving. The soreness you're having is most likely due to running considerably faster outside. 15 minutes faster over 8 miles is a lot! That's almost 2 minutes per mile. You should be sore. I guess that'll teach you to run outside. I don't think the shoes matter much.

Len