Treadmill or road/gravel?

[Ray1972]

Morning all - into week 3 and am surviving and actually looking forward to each run.

Now - all my runs have been in the gym on a treadmill at 0% gradient but I am wondering psychologically is it different running outside? I love cycling because my mind is active with the scenery etc but in the gym I get bored on the bike within 10 minutes .

Is it the same running? I guess the change in gradients and surface can make it harder?

If you’ve done both which is better/easier?

[pianoteacher Graduate]

I have done all of my runs outside - I know I would get bored on a treadmill especially on the longer runs.

I would say if you enjoy cycling outside you will enjoy running outside for all the same reasons. I think the general consensus is usually to set the treadmill to a 1% incline to mimic outdoor running but as long as you go at a slow steady pace you should be fine to switch to outside. Hopefully someone who's done both will be along in a bit to give you some more specific advice x

[AlMorr Ambassador Graduate in reply to pianoteacher]

Well, I have been a cyclist since I was 7, I am now 72, I have been a runner for 1 week since I completed week 6 run 3. I do find running gets you tired much quicker than cycling, however, if I go for a long cycling run that also gets quite tiring after some time, it depends like running on the route, the wind of course as well. Running like cycling you just have to take it easy and enjoy. I have never used a treadmill.

[ka_boom]

I have a great treadmill at home yet I'm just as sloppy engaging with it as I am with outdoor running...my issue is prioritising. Today I'm a newbie in here and I'm thinking of selling my treadmill! Why? Because when my spirits are steady I'll get out there and don't mind the physical challenges because...

...in rain or wind or a little sunshine, I am reminded by my surroundings that I am alive. I particularly like this time of year because I find the fragrance of new blossoms intoxicating! I hear the birds. I feel the elements on my body and particularly like getting rained on in the summer-it's like nature is dear friend alongside you. A treadmill cannot give me this experience but in fairness, I've had good runs with carnival music, the Specials and a whole host of other musicians to keep me moving but I pushed myself way too far with some of the gradients and speeds so it is now redundant. I benefit most from the outdoors.

[Ray1972 Graduate in reply to ka_boom]

Love this reply ka_boom

[Cliff_H Graduate]

I did most of C25K on a treadmill but nowadays I tend to run outside more often. I really like both and I wouldn’t be without my treadmill, even upgraded it a few months ago so I could do programs with rolling hills. Sometimes I want to be outside running trails and taking in the view or joining in a park run or event and other times I want to pop my headphones in and run a fixed pace or target distance on the ‘mill. I don’t see either as more properly running or more righteous in anyway, it’s just another tool in my running armoury and keeps me off of the couch.

The typical rule is to add 1% incline indoors to make a treadmill run equate to running outdoors, this is to offset the treadmill doing some of the work for you... it’s all running just run but try outside, you will love it.