Treadmills vs outside. Differences?

[Tron_fdc]

I'm totally opposite to Moneyguy....if it's below -5 I'm on a treadmill or in a spin class, I hate running outside in the cold. Treadmills are great at Talisman, because you can run behind girls with tight shorts in the main cardio area, or up by the track overlooking the main gym. 20 degrees or warmer is the best outdoor weather for me; I run from Talisman out to Sandy Beach, which just so happens to wind through Stanley Park. It's a 10k loop, really flat, and full of girls in swimsuits.

Yes, my main motivation for running is girls.

I used to do half marathons, but my knees can't take anything over 15k now, due mainly to the pounding on the pavement. If you have the same problem KC, I'd up the intensity of the short runs if you're not being challenged anymore. It works for me, as well as A LOT of stretching and hot tubs.

[troutman]

stairmaster >>>> running/treadmill

that makes me sweat like nothing else

[Cowperson]

I run through the winter . . . . . I was out this winter many times for an hour and a half at a time in minus 20 windchill or more, extremities frozen, including a certain sensitive part, while the core is sweating, face red and the 'stache/beard covered in frozen snot.

How could you trade all that for the comfort of a treadmill!!!??? Especially the author of the Snotboy Story!!!

You haven't known pain until your dick decides to slowly thaw out.

I've tried a treadmill in the distant past but I run exclusively outside . . . . there's a great joy in battling the elements in some cases, or simply embracing the beauty of an early morning. A crisp winter run in the sun is very nice as well.

Now that I'm a crotchety old buzzard, I do have to avoid excessive heat though. I used to love running in plus 30 weather but these days that might be fatal.

Your knees would probably feel a lot better if you were adding some biking in there . . . . . and your knees and other joints will notice the difference of less weight. Until that weight gradually disappears, you'll have to temper the stress you're putting on those joints.

I'd agree there is a difference on the joints with a hard paved city pathway versus the soft pavement I often run.

I run mostly in the country now, alone, outside the city, on old, soft pavement roads (a mix of gravel and oil), down the middle of them mostly because there's little traffic and, a bonus, the middle of the road is fairly flat, thusly allowing me to control or vary the slope, which helps in turn to control what's going on with the knees.

When you're more up to speed, you may find the best runs can be those in strange cities . . . . . a deserted Rome at 6 a.m. for example, the early morning in Florence, Milan, London or Central Park in New York . . . . or Vegas a month ago. Great memories for me. A great way to explore. They can be your memories too if you keep at it.

You won't get that on a treadmill.

But that's the thing . . . . . sooner or later, you're going to have to LIKE doing it, rather than it being a chore. I'm not sure you're going to like running ad nauseum on a treadmill. Seriously.

Good luck with it.

PS: I'll be pushing to 31 km on a run this weekend, also trying to prep for the marathon.

Cowperson

[smith12]

I personally couldn't imagine ever wanting to run on a treadmill over running outside. I guess that's probably becuase I really enjoy running. I think the big difference between those who prefer the treadmill to those who prefer outside is that people who enjoy running outside are runners who do it for enjoyment. Those that prefer the treadmill tend to be running just to stay in shape but don't really enjoy running.

For me, nothing beats killing a nice sunny Sat/Sun afternoon spending a couple of hours running along the river path. Scenery, girls and keeping fit. I just use the treadmill at my gym b/c it's convienant and not weather dependant.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

But that's the thing . . . . . sooner or later, you're going to have to LIKE doing it, rather than it being a chore. I'm not sure you're going to like running ad nauseum on a treadmill. Seriously.

Good luck with it.

PS: I'll be pushing to 31 km on a run this weekend, also trying to prep for the marathon.

Great post. I agree - to go beyond 10K you really have to enjoy it. I'll be doing the same run as you - just have to decide if I want to do Fish Creek or the Res - anyone know how flooded it is around Weasel Head?

This brings to mind another thought, but I think I'll start a separate thread...

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

You haven't known pain until your dick decides to slowly thaw out.

Honestly, this is the body part you do have to worry about with winter outdoor running. In extreme cold, cover your face and wear layers and you'll be okay. It's good to stay close to open buildings in case you need to seek shelter. In extreme cold (for me, that's maybe minus 25 or colder), I suggest stuffing extra mittens or something down south to protect the dick. Cowperson is correct; freeze that and as it thaws it's quite painful.

To the guy who says minus 5C sends him indoors, I run in shorts at that temp. What can I say? I'm a tough SOB.

[CGYTransplant]

Running on a treadmill is easier than running outside- the track on the treadmill pulls your leg back in your stride, hence you end up doing less work...which is why someone who can pound out a 10k in 35 mins on a treadmill (me) is usually gasping for air and praying for death trying to match the same pace on a path/track (also me).

Ellipticals are easy on your joints, but every trainer I've spoken to hates them. In their opinion, it's better (as in, better workout, more effective, and will serve you better in the long run) to walk on a treadmill than go crazy on an elliptical.

I do like treadmills for the days when I just can't fathom running in the great outdoors, but wouldn't use them exclusively, especially if I was training for a specific race- your pace will be different on race day, which can mess with your head.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

I used to do a lot of running, treadmill running does not, compare to pounding the pavement.....not even close....stay off the treadmill....run outside. There is nothing like having to pick you body up and move it's complete weight every step without the help of a treadmill.

Anyone that is serious or has been serious will tell you that you need to run outside....BTW, do you think they have treadmills in Kenya, hell no those boys learned to run the good old fashion way.......

[mykalberta]

If it wasnt for lululemon, I would never run outside.

[ok, ok,....I get it]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

If it wasnt for lululemon, I would never run outside.

you know you should not confess to snatch and grab on a public forum......now grabbing snatch, that's another story

[John Doe]

Why not do both?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hmVQc91yVE

[Shazam]

What if you were an airplane on a treadmill? Then what?

[Foxy]

In my experience, running outside is much more difficult. I get a much better workout if I run outside rather than on a treadmill.

I do need some advice though; I'm currently getting ready to run my first 10km run at the end of May, the London 10,000. I'm not the fastest runner in the world.. more of a jogger.

I'm not looking to break any speed records, but I would like to improve my time. My problem is, I'm still working up to accomplishing 10km with ease. So the question is, do I focus solely on building up my endurance to do 10km comfortably at my current slow pace, or do I start doing some speed work now?

Any advice is awesome! Thanks!

Also what Cowperson said about having to like it is absolutely true. I'm finally getting to that point.

[kermitology]

Does anyone have suggestions for how to keep my knees from being wrecked. I can usually run about a mile on the treadmill before I have to stop because I start to feel twinges in one or the other knee.

I cycle 11km a day, so that's one thing I'm doing. Any other suggestions?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Does anyone have suggestions for how to keep my knees from being wrecked. I can usually run about a mile on the treadmill before I have to stop because I start to feel twinges in one or the other knee.

I cycle 11km a day, so that's one thing I'm doing. Any other suggestions?

Shoes - get proper shoes. If you are serious, you are rotating at least 2 pairs of shoes, so they get 48 hrs b/w runs. The shoes need to be fairly new (no more than 500k) and properly fitted. Stretch properly. That is if you are serious runner. The more important question is - is there anything wrong with your knee medically?

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Foxy

In my experience, running outside is much more difficult. I get a much better workout if I run outside rather than on a treadmill.

I do need some advice though; I'm currently getting ready to run my first 10km run at the end of May, the London 10,000. I'm not the fastest runner in the world.. more of a jogger.

I'm not looking to break any speed records, but I would like to improve my time. My problem is, I'm still working up to accomplishing 10km with ease. So the question is, do I focus solely on building up my endurance to do 10km comfortably at my current slow pace, or do I start doing some speed work now?

Any advice is awesome! Thanks!

Also what Cowperson said about having to like it is absolutely true. I'm finally getting to that point.

The easiest way to improve your speed/power is run hills - go to Fish Creek and run up/down the 24th St entrance or go to the Res and run the hill from Weasel Head to North Glenmore. Just run up and down - maybe do it once the first time, twice the next, etc. I am by no means fast, but I blow people away during runs on uphills AND downhills.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by kermitology

Does anyone have suggestions for how to keep my knees from being wrecked. I can usually run about a mile on the treadmill before I have to stop because I start to feel twinges in one or the other knee.

I cycle 11km a day, so that's one thing I'm doing. Any other suggestions?

The thing about cycling is that it works the knees on only one plane; the knee muscles that you're strengthening in cycling are not the ones that provide strength and stability around the knee. No matter how much I cycled, my knees would always feel a little fragile when I was playing basketball. I've started doing plyometrics as a way of strengthening my other knee-leg muscles. Not sure if that would be the right exercise for a runner, but definitely look at diversifying your exercise routine beyond cycling.

[Shazam]

Hmm, according to my Men's Health Gym Bible, they state that running strengthens the hamstrings, while cycling strengthens the quadriceps, which is why so many runners have problem knees.

Any truth to this?

[llama64]

Um, doesn't anyone else realize that there are BEARS outside?

I'll work out inside the safety of my bear proof fortress thank you very much.

[stacey]

Dont have to deal with dogs or bicycles on the treadmil ...