To date, all my sessions have been on a treadmill (now W5R2) and my goal is to do a 5k Park run in the real world in September. I'm lucky to have a treadmill at home so plod late at night once the kids are in bed - there's no chance of running during the day. Has anyone swapped between treadmill and the road before and is there anything I should consider? For example I find the treadmill keeps me pacing when I might have the tendency to walk when it's getting tough.
Definitely try a few runs outside - you will find it feels quite different and can take a little time to adjust (apparantly). I am an outside runner and haven't been on a treadmill for about 25 years! Think of the scenery and variety of terrain you are missing - go on, give it a try! ☺
Hi, I'm predominantly a treadmill runner, for convenience, consistency and a little nervousness about running outside. However, I have done a few outdoor runs as I began to think that maybe I could only run on a treadmill. I know this probably sounds silly and in fact I didn't find outside either more or less difficult, just different. Therefore my conclusion is to do whatever suits you without worrying as both hold challenges and advantages.
Personally I prefer outside, but I started outside, and love the changing seasons, being out in the open air, different routes and trails etc., I'm very fortunate to have some good (and safe) routes to run. I have a 'dreadmill' I have hardly used it, but it's handy if the weather etc., is really bad - and it would have to be really bad, like very, very icy or a few feet of snow......
I find a treadmill too constraining, almost tram like now, but perhaps I've developed a hobbits gait 😂,
Horses for courses, I'd say, it is different running outside, and would probably be rather strange when you first do it, especially if you go off road, I'd just advise slow and steady, whether you're going from treadmill to outside or vice versa, just to get your confidence.
Just different, very different...on the treadmill you have control.. outdoor running.. not the case
Some would tell you, and there have been many articles written about this that treadmill running is easier, than running outdoors, for a variety of reasons. e.g. the treadmill belt assisting leg turnover, making it easier to run faster; pace on the treadmill doesn’t correlate to the runner's road pace. Also, some of the soft tissue conditioning that occurs with road running does not occur with treadmill running because the plate or base on the treadmill gives, more than road surfaces.
When you head outside, there are a lot of variables— weather, wind, elevation, and surface are just a few of them
But outdoor running is great fun...I, like many of us absolutely love it...so if you can, try to get outside and have a go... remembering to take it really slow and steady!
Running is running is running is running....
However, come outside into the air, the elements, the world,
I run both outside and on a treadmill. They are different - treadmill is absolutely flat (unless you set a gradient). Depending on your outside route you'll need to cope with inclines or hills. Just don't expect you times to be the same. No reason why you should walk more just because you are outside.
I started on a treadmill up to week 4 when I went away for the weekend with no treadmill. I found outside to be easier for me, cooler (my treadmill is at home with no air con like a gym), you can set yourself targets on the distance and generally more visual stimulation to stop you thinking about the running and time. I have to have my route planned though and in the beginning would run round a field to take comfort that I wasn't venturing too far. I have not been back on the treadmill since - that was 8 weeks ago! Give outside a go - it was very positive for me !
I alternate between the two, e.g one treadmill run, one outdoor run and one Parkrun each week. It's all running. Come winter I may do 2 treadmill to one outdoor run.
I understand the walking thing - believe you me - that is a 'Gremlin', cause if you can run non-stop on a treadmill you can run non-stop outside
I know very little about treadmills but have read here that you should have it set at a gradient to better simulate running outside, otherwise the transition can be a shock to the system, what with uneven surfaces, wind, hills and having to maintain pace by yourself.
I would head outdoors well in advance of your parkrun to acclimatise yourself to the joys of being al fresco.
I've followed the advice given on this forum and set a small incline of 1% on the treadmill. I have rheumatoid arthritis so have to keep it steady. Using the treadmill to build up muscles with softer impact on my joints has to be the way for me. I have begun to mix it up with outdoor running but without being able to use the 'mill I'd never have got this far (W8R2 in the bag). I know that whatever I choose, it's a big improvement on where I was before. Don't angst about it is my advice.
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