A bit of a conundrum. ...

[lovingrunning]

Hello all my lovely runners! I wanted a bit of advice from everyone. With the weather drawing in and my working hourse going up (I am a morning runner and I live in quite an isolated spot so it's not safe for me to run early). I have decided to invest in a treadmill. What are every one's thoughts on treadmill's? Will I be able to mix indoor and outdoor running?

[Tomas Graduate]

I'm sure you will, and good luck to you

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to Tomas]

Thanks Tomas. Xxx

[misswobble Graduate]

My immediate thought is yuk. I just don't get the idea of running on a machine. I watch them in the gyms that I run past and think what are they doing. Humans on treadmills like hamsters

However, my second thought is it's better than not running, so if running on a treadmill means you're running then I have to give you my support, which of course I will. Make sure you use the thing and don't let it collect dust or your underwear collection. My husband used his fitness gear as an airer for his underpants! Tut

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to misswobble]

Thanks Miss Wobble for your support. I hate the gym and love running outside but I don't want to miss a run. So make sure the treadmill is facing my lovely garden, put Laura on and just keep running. I don't use it for every run but at least I know its there for when I cannot get outside. xxx

[sidbetty Graduate in reply to lovingrunning]

I'm joining our local gym this weekend... I love 'running' outside so it disheartens me to think it'll be on a treadmill through winter, but it's better than me not running at all which will likely be the case as I'm not a cold weather person! I'm hoping to still run at weekends during the day, but use the gym during the week to continue working.

[Thp42 Graduate]

Our roads arent safe for me either after dark so I did invest in a treadmill. It's great as it means I don't miss a run but my heavens I find it boring. I have tried TV, music & audiobooks but it's still nothing like being outside. I put the incline up and do longer runs than I would on the road. I only need to use it once a week as Mon is the only time I can't get out for my morning run. I do find I have to alter my stride as one of ankles hurts sometimes when I use it - this doesn't happen me on the road.

[lovingrunning Graduate in reply to Thp42]

Thanks for your support. I love to run early morning but 6 am is so dark so a treadmill will ensure I still run and in safety. Xx

[Runon Graduate]

Treadmills used to be used as a punishment for naughty convicts - now for some reason people pay to use them in gyms. My only real experiences have varied from utter boredom and a disconcerting worry that I may be mistaken for a hamster to falling off in an ignominious pile. I suppose they keep pople off the streets

More seriously - if it keeps you running go for it especially if you have an opportunity to mix and match with road running. I kind of wish I had one myself but then I look at my bench-press and weights relegated to the cellar...