Treadmill Vs Outdoors

austin_88

austin_88

New member
I am currently training for a 10km race.

I started off running outdoors, but lately I have been using a treadmill because it has been too chilly out, and I live in a Valley. I wanted to run on more of a flat surface to get endurance, and I have to drive pretty far to get to flat road longer than 4km.

Do you think training on a treadmill would be just as effective as training outdoors? I always hear how its 'so much harder' running outdoors. Honestly I find it SOOO much harder running on a treadmill because I am so bored, and there is nothing to look at.

I just dont want to train for this event on a treadmill and then totally suck!
 
From my own personal experience.... treadmill gets you faster times because the belt is moving you along at a consistent pace... and unless you're adjusting the incline, you're not taking into consideration the peaks and valleys on the real road... the treadmill is also somewhat cushioned where as the road is just hard... so you're feet and joints take less of a beating than they would on the road... which is good for training but your body might be shocked by the road.

Is treadmill training a waste of time? nope.. but I would spend some time in the real environment as well
 
I was wondering the same thing. I seem to be more hesitant to go run on the roads, but today I will JUST DO IT!

Good luck training, I'm training for a 5km first!
 
Ankebuzz said:
I was wondering the same thing. I seem to be more hesitant to go run on the roads, but today I will JUST DO IT!

Good luck training, I'm training for a 5km first!
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I would do a 5K but there are NONE where i live :( Only the 10km!

I have looked around, and I did what Mal said and set the incline to 1% which takes into account wind resistance. And I will be doing 1 session outdoors per week. Maybe you could do the same thing Anke? Do the majority of your training on a treadmill and do just one session a week outdoors?
 
My problem on the treadmill that I have is that my sprinting stride is longer than the treadmill allows. My bottom of my foot skids the front of the machine and trips me up.

Also, like Mal said, I can run two miles much faster on the treadmill than on the road. Maybe setting the resistance up like you did will adjust that. Let me know how it goes. Mine is a cheap one that does not adjust, so I am out of luck with that one.
 
As I have been told, and it makes sense, running inddors on a treadmil may hurt overall conditioning for an outdoor race. Has to do with breathing air from an indoor air filtration system, ie central heat or air conditioning. The outdoors air has pollutants and contaminants that may effect you because you are not used to running in them. And I am not talking about allergies. Cars have air filters for a reason. Machines work better in clean air. And we are all still machines. When training outdoors you will still breath the dirty air, but it will allow your body to get used to it.

Rocky
 
rocky_lange said:
As I have been told, and it makes sense, running inddors on a treadmil may hurt overall conditioning for an outdoor race. Has to do with breathing air from an indoor air filtration system, ie central heat or air conditioning. The outdoors air has pollutants and contaminants that may effect you because you are not used to running in them. And I am not talking about allergies. Cars have air filters for a reason. Machines work better in clean air. And we are all still machines. When training outdoors you will still breath the dirty air, but it will allow your body to get used to it.

Rocky
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Where I live we basically have the best air quality in the world lol (not in GC if thats what my location says), but it is still not advisable to run in the city where there is traffic.

Im going to wean myself off the treadmill anyway now the weather is getting better, going for a run along the water tomorrow cant wait!
 
I run outdoors each day and find it more difficult than the treadmill. Like Mal said, it is harder to keep up the pace when you don't have a belt moving under your feet. Also, slight inclines and declines in the road make a huge difference and they feel different than a treadmill incline... I don't know what it is!

Good luck with your race!!!
 
Hmmm, yes I think that's what I'll do, run road once a week, treadmill twice.

Damn, STILL haven't had a PROPER run again... in what, 3 weeks!?
 
Personally I feel that training outdoors is a better idea. You will always have fresh air, outdoors is easier on your body (ankles, knees, hips), and there is always new scenery so it doesn't make running so boring. This is just my experience and I've done my fair share of both indoor and outdoor running.

You should train how your event will be. You're 10k race will be outdoors, you should condition your body for outdoor running. Granted you can change in incline on a treadmill, but it isn't the same as it would be outdoors. If you are used to running on a treadmill, when you switch to outdoors for your event you will notice a big difference. 1st hand experience.

Julie
 
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You will always have fresh air,
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Depends on where you live... not always though

outdoors is easier on your body (ankles, knees, hips),
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Depends on where you're running... Concrete and asphalt can be tough on the joints - a treadmill is alittle more padded and easier on the joints...
 
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