I don't notice much of a difference as far as difficulty but I have noticed a difference in speed. I run a bit slower outside but I think that's because of the terrain -- I run on hilly, winding trails -- and the treadmill keeps me at a steady pace.
If you can run a mile on a treadmill, you can run one outdoors. Pace yourself. It's easy to start out REALLY fast and then putter out towards the end because you don't have the treadmill moving at a solid pace to guide you. So try to reel yourself in the first half of your distance and then speed up a bit the second half.
I call treadmills, dreadmills they bore me to tears, but they are good for speed intervals and I can only stay on one for 30 minutes... I much prefer outside although it is a bit harder, but only at first, so go for it CakeBatter
Last edited by 3fcuser1058250; 03-25-2009 at 04:10 PM.
For me, both running outdoors and on the TM fit well into my exercise routine and I like them both. I like running outdoors for distance but I prefer the TM for HIIT because I can control the speed and the incline. I like to mix it up--if I were limited to just one or the other, I would get bored with either one very quickly.
I push myself pretty hard on both, so I can't really say that one is harder than the other for me. If I ran at the same incline and pace on the TM that I do outside, the TM would probably be quite a bit easier, but I push myself on the TM until I'm at the same level of perceived exertion as I am when I'm running outdoors. I do have significantly more problems with side stitches and knee pain when I run outdoors. Because of this, there are times of the year when running outdoors simply isn't an option for me and during those times I feel very appreciative of the TMs at my gym (especially my fav TM at the end of the row, under the AC vent and that gets a nice draft from the exit door ).
I also really prefer to do any incline work on the TM. For one thing, on the TM I know exactly what the incline is. But also, if I run up a hill outdoors, somehow I have get back down off the hill. Running uphill is no problem, but I absolutely cannot run downhill with my knees and even walking downhill can be a problem. But on the TM, what goes up doesn't have to come down.
Last edited by BlueToBlue; 03-27-2009 at 02:31 AM.
I have decided I will run at the trail on Friday since that is the only day that is not raining/ I am excited and nervous about it. However due to everyone else's advice and experience i am going to start using the 2% incline to make it more realistic...sorta speak.
I agree with you Blue, I do get bored with one or the other which why I am trying to mix it up in the first place.
I've only been running for about 3 weeks now but I already enjoy it. I don't really enjoy staring at the treadmill screen the whole time though. I've only gotten the chance to run outside once so far but it's sooo much better! Yes it's a bit harder but definately worth it. It's a mind game for me. The more I enjoy my run the farther and longer I'm able to push myself so outside in the end seems easier to me even though it's not. Makes sense right?
okay so I tried the incline thing to simulate being outside since it rained today amd OMG my calves almost burst into flames! I guess I am gonna have to build up to that! I only lasted a mile before I put it down.
CakeB -- intervalsl of inclines are a lot of fun, one munute at 1% and work yourself up to 10% then back down, that is one thing I do like about the TM...
I'm a treadmill hater and I use it only when I have to (bad weather, etc.) I run significantly slower inside than outside and I think a lot of it is due to the fact that I don't have very good balance - I wander all over the road, it's ok, but on a treadmill, not ok. Plus, I run to get outside, enjoy the air, the sun (the rain, the wind), and I'd rather take cardio classes to keep up my stamina if I have to be inside.
But - I also enjoy running hilly courses, so my take on things may be a bit skewed!
Well I ran the trail today it was awesome! It took some adjusting but nothing I couldn't handle. I couldn't run the whole 3 miles because I with my buddy and she couldn't go that far so we stopped at 2.25 and walked the rest. I am uber stoked because it was a nice change. I just couldn't run inside that gym on day like today....nun-uh no way!
When you run outside, you're using more of your muscles including those called proprioceptors which let you know where your body is in space, i.e. help keep you upright and balanced. It is nice to have a varying terrain to look at as well. I much prefer outdoors, but here it is cold/dark/icy/snowy for much of the year, so I use the TM. Both work, but I can go longer outdoors.
Popping in to say I find running on a treadmill much harder than running outside. I know part of it is psychological, but I'm also better able to control my pace on the road, slow down or speed up as I need to. I also have balance issues, and am always waiting to get thrown off, back and onto the wall when I'm on a treadmill. If I'm stuck with exercise machines, I'll take the elliptical every time!
in my experience, it just depends what you're used to. in college i used to run about 4 miles or so a few times a week outside. one day i was in a gym or somewhere with a treadmill and decided to just hop on that and it would be a piece of cake. i think i had to throw in the towel somewhere around 1.5 miles. seriously. however, now i've only on the treadmill this time around and i'm pretty sure that going outside is gonna be a rude awakening for me.
they bore me to tears, but they are good for speed intervals and I can only stay on one for 30 minutes... I much prefer outside although it is a bit harder, but only at first, so go for it CakeBatter 
CakeBatter, now you may never want to go back inside the gym, to run that is, 
