I'm new here, so apologies if this has been discussed before!
I have just started running outside (with a GPS watch), whereas previously all my running was on a treadmill.
I've found it so much tougher outside, it's really depressing! Either i stick to my treadmill speed and can only manage half the distance i would normally expect to do, or i run at a comfortable pace, which is about 1 mph less than i would normally run indoors.
Is this just me or do others find a big difference? For what it is worth, my outside run is mainly round the local park, and about 20% of it is on road.
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Anyway, as a result the treadmills don't have a facility to add any incline, so i run "flat".
It's all good.
Pick a race and have fun
I won't stress now about having to match my treadmill times when i am outside!
Most runners I know would rather have nothing to do with a tread mill even if it's snowing outside!
Get out there and breath some fresh air. Your body will catch up quicker than you think!
I always quite enjoyed treadmill running as i could "shut off" for a while, and just get into a comfortable rhythym (also i could watch sky sports which i don't have at home!).
I have to admit i still prefer treadmill running at the moment as i dont have to get odd looks from people as i wheeze past them while they are walking their dog, or avoid the various obstacles that invariably get in the way etc. etc.
That said i'll stick with outdoor running for now, as i want to go in for a few races and i know treadmill running alone would not be ideal preparation.
Over the past year, I've ended up having to do a lot of my speedwork sessions in the gym on a treadmill - simply 'cos I'm doing them in my lunch hour, with no usable roads nearby.
My times are significantly faster on the roads - even when I'm doing the same distances (eg 5k or 10k) at the end of a triathlon. Rarely get sub-20 5k indoors, but outside (during tri), no problem at all.
I may just be a freak though.
I find that's a good discipline for when you're running outside - I'm less tempted to back off when I feel like I'm tiring. Does that make sense? It does to me, anyway.
However, I agree with Wickett - I find it easier to do anything other than intervals outside and my pace is better (although still a plod!)
So if ever running indoors I just ignore the numbers and step up the speed until it feels OK, and try and up it for the last few mins.
No numbers to distract you outside,, just hills!
I find that it's easy on the legs, making it easier to run outside.
I don't agree with the tready doing half of the work for you. If you stop running you wil fall backward. You have to work your legs the same way as running outside.
About fear of falling. It 's very common for the beginners to run too near the front board and hit their feet there, losing balance. Try running near the back. It takes time to get used to it though.
I have done 3h30m of continuous running on my tready. I think it's very good training for will power, especially when doing a long distance race.
I find that watching TV distracts too much. I just listen to some very loud music.
good luck
I don't feel so much of an achievement though running on a treadmill as I do outside because I haven't covered any distance per se
I have head that lots of high class athletes do their winter training on the tready.
I know this is true here during the summer.
As a question that pops up quite a bit here on the forum, I thought this would make a good Reader to Reader question this week.
Look forward to hearing more of your advice...
Thanks
Catherine )
I would never replace outside with a tready but as I go to the gym with a friend also has more social ideals attached (ie she can walk while I run and still chat).
It is alot hotter in the gym which I think has helped my endurance. And yes it can be boring but I usually use the time to zone out, chat to my friend or "people watch" - how does that lady mange to make it look like she is dancing on the stepper................
Running outside is a completely different matter, you can take in the vista, vary your pace instantly (instead of having to fiddle with controls), and you don't have the constant whirring of the treadmill in your ears (no matter how loud you have your ipod).
Running outside could almost be described as a spiritually uplifting experience, whereas the treadmill is like a diabolical grind.
(Apologies for the excessively flowery descriptions.)
Like Holly I feel that it's sometimes safer.
I'm definitely slower outside which I found demotivating but then I joined a running club with lots of lovely slow people in and I'm now training for a half marathon - with 3 outside runs and 1 treadmill session a week.