Why can't I do it on the road (apologies to ... - Bridge to 10K

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

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10
33 Replies

..... 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 ...........

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UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanley
Graduate10
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33 Replies
AlMorr profile image
AlMorrAmbassadorGraduate10

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toAlMorr

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 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toSandraj39

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 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

I have :-) . 72.94% age grading - whoo hoo!

Sandraj39 profile image
Sandraj39Graduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

👏👏👏😀🏃🏻

backintime profile image
backintimeGraduate10

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply tobackintime

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 profile image
backintimeGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

Eat less beans?

Grannyhugs profile image
GrannyhugsGraduate10

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 profile image
KatnapGraduate10

There's always JRS...

🐱 Katnap 🐱

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toKatnap

Now that would really be fun on a treadmill :-)

JonathanP profile image
JonathanPGraduate10

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toJonathanP

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

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply to

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

Sandie1961 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10

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 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toSandie1961

😂😂

UpTheStanley profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toSandie1961

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 profile image
Sandie1961Graduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

😂😂

SueAppleRun profile image
SueAppleRunGraduate1060minGraduate

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toSueAppleRun

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10

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 profile image
Dexy5Graduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toDexy5

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

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

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

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 profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

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 profile image
UpTheStanleyGraduate10 in reply toUnfitNoMore

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

UnfitNoMore profile image
UnfitNoMoreGraduate10 in reply toUpTheStanley

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

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