Why can't I do it on the road (apologies to the Beatles) ......

[UpTheStanley]

..... if I can do it on the dreadmill? If my legs can cope with me winding the mill up to 13 kph, why can't they wind up to that speed on their own when I ask them to outside?

This morning, having (as previously reported ) seen Dexy5 off for an early morning trot from a recumbent position without feeling any guilt whatsoever, I pushed myself off to the gym later for a dreadmill session. Last week I did a fairly regular intervals session, four times 500m steady (10/11 kph ish) and 750m trying (13 kph) to deliver 5k in 25'22". This time should probably have been the same 3k out of 5 at 13 kph but in three 1k spells, but something went wrong with my planning and as it turned out I did 1k at 12, 1.5k at 13, 500m at (mostly) 12, 1k at 13, 500m at (mostly) 12 and the final 500m at 13+, winding up over the last 200m or so. And was well pleased to complete 5k in 23' 54", obviously the extra hour in bed did the trick!

So ...... can I enter this as a (not) parkrun time? Hum, doesn't seem quite right somehow. And can I sort out a sensible intervals pattern for next time? And when will I next get close to 24'30", let alone sub-24, on the road?

Onwards and upwards, with the force of the dreadmill with me ...........

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate10]

Excellent run and time for you on the dreadmill (treadmill for new runners to this site) I know that you prefer running outside but a short break inside will make you appreciate your runs outside are best. 23.54 is a excellent time, do you think that you could run that time outside?, perhaps around a proper running track, not a parkrun.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to AlMorr]

I'm doing this by choice Al, trying to force myself to go just a bit faster for longer. I think it'll be a good while before I can manage that pace outside again, the last time I managed a sub-24 parkrun was New Year's Day.

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

Simple answer UTS - the road is not a treadmill! 🤷‍♀️

Treadmills assist with leg turnover (the static road does not!) so this is why regular runners on both often find they cannot match their treadmill pace on the road.

However - sub 24' , treadmill or not, is amazing! You should be super proud of that UTS!🙂

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I'm sure you're right Sandra, but I think there's also some psychology that makes it harder to force myself to keep on, when I can't control the pace exactly.

[Dexy5 Graduate10]

Lots of Questions UTS. I don’t know any answers, except you can enter a treadmill reading on (not) parkrun - official. Go for it.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

I have . 72.94% age grading - whoo hoo!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

👏👏👏😀🏃🏻

[backintime Graduate10]

My speed slowed down when I came off the treadmill and went outside, my distance also dropped too, but within 2 weeks I was back where I was on the treadmill, twas but a temporary hiccup in adjustment

But I found the treadmill helped because it's also harder to stop, so sometimes I kept on going even when I would have stopped on the road

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to backintime]

Yep, I reckon that's a big part of it. I'm still mixing the two types of runs so the difference is obvious (not to mention the wind!)

[backintime Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Eat less beans?

[Grannyhugs Graduate10]

Great runs you've been laying down on the treadmill. I would imagine if you can cope with the tedium it is far easier than road runs so certainly don't despair- think of them as completely different disciplines then you get to celebrate 2 sets of PBs - win win. Happy running 🤗

[Katnap Graduate10]

There's always JRS...

🐱 Katnap 🐱

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Katnap]

Now that would really be fun on a treadmill

[JonathanP Graduate10]

Amazing pace UTS! As to your question, who knows, but perhaps it's the difference between active (setting and keeping to your own pace) and passive ( responding and reacting to a pace set for you)?

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to JonathanP]

Yep, I think that's certainly part of it. But I can actually set the pace better on the machine ...

[Hidden]

Absolutely no idea as I'm purely a road runner.

BUT

You are ace. You are incredibly quick and you will improve your road time where it really counts. Treadmill time will let you know you have that speed in you and will transfer over even if it's not quite as speedy on the road. All positive for me!

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for your faith - we'll just have to see!

[Sandie1961 Graduate10]

I think that the issue is that you are in control on the open road and the dreadmill is in control in the gym. Know which I prefer - but there again I am a control freak 😂

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

😂😂

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to Sandie1961]

I think the problem is more that I'm not in control on the road to the same extent, I can't adjust the speed by pushing a button when I'm outside

[Sandie1961 Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

😂😂

[SueAppleRun Graduate10 60minGraduate]

I used to be able to run really fast on the dread mill but it doesn’t compute to road running

That’s fast though really fast

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to SueAppleRun]

I was certainly pleased with how I was able to run the recovery stretches faster than last time - that was what made the difference.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10]

Wether you want to record it as a (not) parkrun or not is only your call... I probably would, but it sounds like you’re not happy doing so. It’s an amazing run either way.

I’m thinking about the differences between treadmill and road... could you possibly take that in a couple of steps? Is the track at the Mountbatten Centre still there and open to the public? If so I’d use it to try to get the pace into the pushing off areas of muscles that the treadmill doesn’t work as hard used to doing that pace... then take on the undulations and slopes of outdoors (no matter how slight they are there)

[Dexy5 Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Good idea UNM, it’s still there I’m sure. I might even follow slowly behind . Running on the prom does also involve avoiding people rather than just running for the hell of it 🚶‍♀️🚶‍♀️🐕👩🏼‍🦯🏃‍♂️

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to Dexy5]

Looking at hitting the track again myself soon... not sure if I want to before the end of the HM plan, but maybe great to do once I can just go run 5k again.

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Hum .... I'm sure the track's still there and I am a member, the Pyramids gym I normally use is in the same group as Mountbatten. Whether the track is available for public use I don't know, I think there is some nervousness in the "proper" athletics community about normal people wearing out the inside lane ......

I've only once run 5000m competitively on a track (a cinder track, 'twas so long ago), and I was bored to tears long before I heard the bell ....... even though I'd organised the sports day myself . I think I'm less bored on a treadmill, I can watch the pretty numbers changing ..... but it's an interesting thought.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

I prefer laps over the treadmill but I’m getting a little used to the latter now. Probably a little much to ask them to supply a timekeeper to light up the pretty numbers trackside 🤣. You could promise to only use lane 8 too... which is just over 50m longer I think... knocks about a lap and a half off, from memory, and better for the legs

Edit for rough maths... think it’s 11 laps and 10 meters in lane 8

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

A quick look at the Mountbatten website doesn't mention the track. Suspect it may belong to / be managed by Portsmouth AC .....

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

They look a bit serious too, just had a look at their site, no records for veterans, stops at senior. It does say that all facilities are owned and operated by BHLive on behalf of the city council though.

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Someone in December on trip advisor used the track for £3.50 as they weren’t a member... may have changed, it’s strange that they don’t mention track, but it could just be to keep the numbers down

[UpTheStanley Graduate10 in reply to UnfitNoMore]

Maybe it’s just not reopened as not “Covid secure” yet?

[UnfitNoMore Graduate10 in reply to UpTheStanley]

Could be that too... our local one is open again, but not the facilities... not quite sure how that works