Twice this week I’ve used a treadmill at the gym for the 1st time since starting C25k in March this year. I needed to get in a couple of longer runs in preparation for the town&gown 10k on Sunday. I much prefer cross country or road running, but with the nights drawing in and a busy schedule this week hitting the gym seemed like the best option.
Is it just me or is it harder to maintain a good tempo pace on a treadmill, and is it normal to be completely and utterly drenched in sweat at the end of a 16.5k run? I set a 2 degree incline to offset the lack of air resistance, but am a bit concerned about the slower pace and buckets of sweat.
What are your experiences?
Many thanks. Mad D
I don't have much experience of treadmills, but I have found that my running form is rather different compared with outside, which I think could be tiring over longer distances. The incline may be exacerbating that effect - are you used to running uphill outside? Muscles are used differently when running uphill. The extra effort and the lack of wind/air could be what's making you sweat more.
I like running uphill but outside the terrain is more varied / interesting. I think I’ll try to find a way to do my long runs outdoors- even if it means having to drive into town to find routes with streetlights, as I live in a small village with little street lighting and few pavements.
Yes, bit soul-destroying is the treadmill for longer runs (I imagine)!. Hope you find somewhere!
That sounds like a good plan. My niece has the same problem It’s so handy when you live where there are streets