Yesterday I ran about 4 miles on the treadmill. I definitely worked hard and worked up a sweat. Today I decided to take it outdoors and could barely keep moving. UGH!
It would be amazing to be able to just pop outside for a run whenever I felt like it rather than dragging my butt to the gym. Does anyone have any tips on how to transition to the great outdoors?
I find that that initial feeling of it being harder wears off. Even if I haven't been running outside, once I do I am fine after I get past the first mile or so, and I live at 6,100 feet and run up mountains. My gym is at 4,200 feet, so I also have to adjust to the altitude when I first start running outside.
One tip is to run on an incline at the gym. I find that this leaves me much better prepared to run outside than does running on a treadmill at a 0% incline. They say you don't need to run at much of an incline to compensate for the difficulty of running outside.
Last edited by Petite Powerhouse; 01-18-2011 at 12:10 PM.
Well, since you ran yesterday your muscles could be tired. You might want to run every other day to give your body a break. I have noticed that wind resistance can also cause it to be more difficult to run outside.
You're doing all the work outside-- the treadmill isn't helping out. Plus wind resistance. Plus motivation/mental stuff--on the sidewalk or trail, if you just don't take that next step, nothing bad happens.
(Two days in a row shouldn't be a big deal when you're enough of a runner to do four miles.)
I just mapped it and yesterdat the treadmill said I did 4 miles and today when I mapped my run it said 2.41. Thats a pretty big difference. It's also the first time in about 8 months since i have even attempted to run outside. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.
I feel like a treadmill is a personal trainer forcing you to keep moving. Outside, you have nothing keeping you at a pace, you have to think about it every second. On a treadmill I can mindlessly just GO, and be forced to keep going (unless I actively stop it).
As some people have mentioned, the treadmill moves behind you.
Running on a treadmill is always easier than the outdoors. Even when you don't notice it you may be running at a slight incline outside, plus wind resistance, plus you have to do more work to propel yourself forward--as was already mentioned.
Don't get discouraged. Running outside can actually burn more calories since it usually requires more energy. Treadmills can in some cases be easier on joints than outside, depending on what you are running on. If possible run on asphalt as opposed to the sidewalk. Sidewalk, being cement, has no give at all and thus has more of an impact force than asphalt which has a very slight give. Even better is if you can run on grass or a rubber track that can usually be found at some schools or colleges.
If you don't like running outside, grab your ipod and put on some good tunes and go with it. Start with a small distance and progress over time.
I'd say hills are the only thing that really makes running outside harder for me. When I'm running outside on relatively flat ground, I find it easier than on the treadmill. I think this is because I regulate my pace more naturally outside, while I push myself faster than is comfortable on the treadmill.
I'd say hills are the only thing that really makes running outside harder for me. When I'm running outside on relatively flat ground, I find it easier than on the treadmill. I think this is because I regulate my pace more naturally outside, while I push myself faster than is comfortable on the treadmill.
I can run for 2 miles on a treadmill, but not even complete 1 mile out on the track!! It sucks, I'm hoping that my stamina will increase as the weeks go by...
This article Treadmills 13 Advantages and Disadvantages really puts into perspective why treadmill running is amazing can also make our workouts not as challenging.
I think if the treadmill is what gets you moving, then by all means run on the treadmill. While yes the belt does help push you along, you are still getting a workout. Also be sure to add incline to help target different muscles and burn more calories!
I HATE treadmill running haha!!! Sorry, maybe I am the minority, but 5 miles on a treadmill feels like a marathon - unless there is a blizzard, I'm outside. Plus, I run much faster outside but that's just me.
Here is a great article that states that treadmill running burns LESS calories than running outdoors - my advise is to run at the 3% incline the article suggests if you are doing treadmill running to get the same calorie burn as you would running outdoors.
I like running outside but it KILLS my shins, the treadmill has give so it absorbs some of the shock. I agree it is much harder to run outside, I can barely make it a mile where as the treadmill I can make it 4 miles.
Why is it SO hard to run outside!
