I’m a recent treadmill graduate of C2K who is now starting to run outdoors. With the dark nights I’m alternating between 2 midweek treadmill runs and a weekend outdoor run along my local canal. I always thought because of the gradient /uneven ground that outdoor runs were more taxing however i’m finding my outdoor runs are longer and faster.
This morning I ran close to 7k along the canal at an average of 7mph but on the treadmill i’m maxing out at 5.5k averaging 6.5mph.
Presume there’s something psychological going on ... however does anyone else find the same ?
My outdoor run has roughly a 1% incline which is what I set the treadmill to.
Written by
Rory0511
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I find I run faster outside than I do on the treadmill and if I try to set the treadmill at my “normal” outside speed, it is too fast. There are multiple reasons for this, I suppose, but I wonder about the accuracy of the speed on the treadmill. I believe there are some watches you can combine with a foot sensor to determine your speed and distance on the treadmill which would be handy to know if this theory is right or not. I don’t have one, nor is my watch compatible (although I haven’t looked in to this for quite a while, perhaps it can be linked to an app instead). Long answer short, this might help solve the quandary...or just add to it, if my theory is wrong and it is all psychological 🤦♀️
I struggle on a treadmill to cover distances I run comfortably outdoors. I need to outdoors, the woods and freedom to move. I find treadmills too restrictive and only use them if I have to.
Always thought was easier to achieve a quicker time on a treadmill than outside over the given distances.100m-10K.
The programmes available on the latest m/cs are amazing.Perhaps Espace and a playlist would help on the longer distances inside.For me I find distance outside easier.
Over the next 3 months going to check it out for my own situation.
Shorter distances on a treadmill seems easier and at least you can see info easily displayed.
Top tip for me is belt speed setting, you should always have the cadence that you feel you are pulling the belt back, not it pulling you back.
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week3run1 ✅. 3 x 17 mins with 1 min walks. 
How did your parkrun or (not)parkrun go?
