Running inside Vs. Running outside
So yesterday I ran intervals after lifting weights, it was probably the hardest thing i've ever done...ever. Then when I got home I convinced my wife to go for a 1 mile run that I had paced off with the car earlier in the day...the 1 mile run outside was twice as easy (mentally or physically?!?) as running 1 mile on a treadmill, so I thought to myself, is this because it is easier physically?? Surely that can't be the case as you're running presumably the same distance, plus you have wind/hills/heat to deal with, so running outside would logically be more difficult physically than running on a treadmill, I even read a few reports that confirmed this as some treadmills are even on a decline so you're essentially running downhill the whole time.
So, if it is harder physically, yet I think it is easier, than it must be easier mentally?? I think a big part of it was that I don't have to stare at that stupid timer the whole time, I'm addicted to looking at that time like crack, I can't go 30 seconds without looking, it's crazy. Plus during the outside run the scenery changes, you have people to wave at, cars and animals to dodge, there's a lot more to keep one's mind "occupied" during an outside run, where as, on a treadmill you feel like you're on a gigantic hamster wheel.
I have to say that I was intimidated by running outside as I hadn't done it since I was in the military, but I am a believer now after one run, it made me feel amazing, and it seemed like it took just a couple minutes. (in actuality it took 7) I even drove the path again to make sure it was actually a mile, that's how easy it seemed. I'm excited to see how far I can push myself while doing this outdoor running stuff, I felt like I could have gone another 2 miles easy.
What do you think, loyal reader of my diary?? Which do you prefer, inside or outside?