Mind where you tread(mill).....

[AlbertRoss]

Maybe because I struggled the previous week with the 3x1.6km interval run, Endomondo seems to have put things back a week. So last week's runs were 3x1km intervals, 2x1.6km intervals, and an easy 5K. Both interval runs were done outside, and felt all right - the long intervals even saw me record my best 1 mile time, about 10:07.

Having finally got my weight underneath the limit for the Treadmill though, I decided I'd do the easy 5K on it last night. Listening to some spoken word audio, I warmed up for a few minutes walking before increasing the pace up to 7:30/km pace - this is for me now an easy pace - and 1% gradient.

Blimey, it was harder than I thought! I think there were a combination of things that meant that while I managed it, I will be limiting the mill for the times when there isn't the option of out of doors.... I've been tending to run without a water bottle for the last few months, partly as I've been taking care to be decently hydrated before leaving the house - this time, I needed water and a fair amount of it... it was quite warm in the house I suppose, comfortable for sitting around, and I was sweating like a pig by the end of it - bear in mind that recent "easy" 5K running at average paces a bit faster than I actually did have seen me just a bit sweaty, this time I was dripping.... the actual running on a belt took some adapting to as well, a couple of times I almost stumbled and even 20 minutes in I didn't feel entirely comfortable.... Then there was the relentless gradient. I know that 1% isn't a lot - the idea is that it's like running outdoors - but when you're outdoors, you might have steeper gradients but you also get to recover as you run down the other side as well! Gaining 50m over 5K is it seems harder than it sounds.... the monotony also gets to you over that sort of distance as well - I can't imagine doing a full hour on one for example, unless I stick the tablet on the console with a video to watch!

It's nice to have the option if I can't get out, but to be honest I'll stick with the outdoors for the most part and leave the treadmill to the other half!

This week sees the intervals going back up - 4x1km and 3x1.6km - I'm a little wary though as well because the weather seems to be warming up... so it will be water bottle time again, and look to run morning or evening rather than afternoon!

[Hidden]

Yes definitely get outside! You're right the variety of real gradients and mini path obstacles makes it easier to stay interested over long runs. Also I love seeing something in the distance and then reaching it, or knowing the next bend will open up onto a big lake full of birds. I would really struggle to run on a treadmill I've been completely spoiled by the outdoors

[skysue16 Graduate10]

I agree, running outside is wonderful in all weathers. Longer distances are a bit monotonous on the treadmill but good music or a film would help! It is a few months since I last used the local gym and also got very warm, despite the air conditioning. Just out of interest, are your intervals run/ walk or run/slow jog?

[AlbertRoss Graduate10 in reply to skysue16]

Run and then slow jog is what it suggests - 8min/km pace, just for a minute to recover, the short intervals it reckons should be 6.40 pace, with 10 min each end at slow pace to warm up and down.... I'm at the point where at anything around 7.15 or slower I can recover, which tells me how much fitter I am even than when I finished C25K back in November!

[Tanethra Graduate10]

I too find I can run outdoors at a pace that is faster than I can maintain on the treadmill. Recently ran a hilly Parkrun in 32:27 which correlates to a belt speed of 9.24kph. This for me is a fast pace to maintain on a treadmill indoors and prob blow up and without any down grades wouldn't give me any recovery periods which I was conscious of taking on the easier segments as I knew it was a tough climb to the finish. I usually use the treadmill to do interval work or set a pace for a temp run and keep the time down to 45mins as I would get bored. I've tried watching a something on a tablet but I lose focus so I stick on a podcast or music to get me in the zone.