Running: Inside or Out?
 

So this morning I did my C25K outside rather than indoors on a treadmill. It was much harder! The sun rays beaming down, the gravel, and especially the hills. It was an eye opener for sure. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me if I want to run an actual 5k. Although it was harder, it was more enjoyable to me. Do you all have a preference where you run?

I love to run outdoors. I find running on a treadmill or indoor track very boring. But you're right, there are other things to consider when running outdoors: bright sunlight, gravel on the pavement, traffic, hills, etc. But I love it. I've been running outdoors the past two months and wouldn't have it any other way.

If I'm trying to run any kind of distance, it's so much easier for me outside! There are things to look at and a definite feeling of going somewhere. I like to find hills, get a little breathless, feel my legs reconnect to the work. The treadmil is convenient when the weather is bad, but if I want to go longer than 3 to 4 miles I have to hit the road!

I've done my entire C25K (not done yet) outside. Before I started this program I had never seriously run outside before. I started the program to train for a race, I figured the race would be outside so I should train outside. It helps you get used to manuvering around corners and watching out for uneven pavement.

It does force you to pay more attention to how you feel and judge your progress less by benchmarks (ie time distance). I know humidity can cause you to loose 1-2 min off a mile, so if I feel like I got a good workout, I am happy with my run. But it prepares you because you get used to running in the elements.

In various C25K threads on here I've previously made the mistake of comparing my progress to people doing the program on a treadmill. It's like apples and oranges. As the weather got hot and humid my progress stalled but my fitness was improving. Then I found I had faster 5k race times than people farther along in the program (on treadmill) than me. I recommend doing it outside.

Outside! Ugh, running indoors and especially on a treadmill is the worst for me. Boring, I don't get to look at anything, no wildflower smells or hills or breezes unless there is a fan blowing around the tepid, stale air. Running outside is freedom-like I could run anywhere! It's much harder mentally for me to stomach running indoors, and it's harder on my body some how too, because I am not used to running on perfectly even surfaces. Asphalt, desert, trails are all uneven at least slightly. I guess the bottom line is that running indoors kills my spirit a little. Making it hard on yourself is the point, so that when game time comes, it's easy! A 5k is a great accomplishment, but I promise that you'll have no trouble running it outside if you work at it. I ran that this morning for my leisurely morning run and had fun.

I did the entire c25k inside on the treadmill and like you I was shocked how much harder it was to actually run outside! I love it outside now once I (mostly) got over my self conciousness. But I'm in Canada... and only hard core people run outside year round.

If you have to run on the treadmill I read that you should use a 1 or 1.5 incline to make it match the effort of running outside. I plan to do that when the weather turns ulgy this fall. I've never ran outside before this summer... I'm not sure how I'm going to feel about going back to the basement once it's over :(

I actually LIKE doing BOTH. I am so weird. I love being outside - the sun, the trees, the flowers, the wildlife, saying hi to people (if there are any). I HATE HILLS with a firey passion... they are something I must conquor - ROAR!

BUT the TM is nice in the AC when humidity is high... or if I want to work on speed and intervals. It is easier for me to set the TM and do 'x' number of minutes at a specific speed (I am currently working on getting comfortable at 6 mph). I DO set my TM at a 1% - 2% incline to help simulate the difference between the TM and running outside.

Definitely outside! I feel like a caged little hamster on a wheel whenver I'm on a treadmill. Also, like many people have already mentioned, when you're used to running on a treadmill, the roads are a lot harder.

Occasionally I'll throw down the $5 to use a treadmill at a gym in the winter, but only if there's a nasty blizzard or ice storm. Otherwise I'd much rather cross country ski. :)

I would say that running outside is much more interesting than running inside but yes it is much harder. I just cant seem to stay motivated on a treadmill though so I have to don my running shoes and head into the great outdoors! I guess it helps that I live in the country and so can go running in some beautiful scenery!

I will admit that it took a lot for me to get over my self-consciousness about running outside. I used to think that everyone would be staring at me or worse, laughing behind my back. But once I finally made the decision to get off my butt and just do it, I didn't really care about what strangers thought of me. Besides, I get in a 'zone' when I run and kind of block a lot of stuff out. I just concentrate on my body and feet taking me where I need to go.

I've never tried running outside, other than on the track at the local school. Too many stray dogs in my town :(

Outside for sure. There's much more to look at, the air smells nicer, the terrain is more varied... It definitely required me to work up the nerve to expose myself to all the scary strangers outside, but I'll never go back to running indoors if I can help it. I'm lucky to live in an area where I can be outside year-round. It's physically harder to run outside, but I find that I can go a lot farther because it's much less taxing mentally.

I also prefer running outside. The only time I will run on the treadmill is to stay with my training schedule if it's too nasty to run outside. I am also easily bored running on the treadmill.

After reading you all about how much harder running outside is after the treadmill, I am wondering.. what is it like when you have only run outside and go inside?

I am running outside, and working up to 5k. I'll reach that a month before winter kicks in here, so I will by that time have to start running inside if I want to keep up my ability to run for next spring and all.

I always get crap for this, but when it comes to running, INDOORS, please. No matter the distance.
I really don't mind running in ovals all day or sticking to a treadmill. It's mindless running.. and I like that, because it means I can think about other things! If I focus on my running I get so down and tired.
I love to go for walks outdoors, (I actually just did! I have some fresh flowers in a vase/cup to prove it :) ) but only because that's so leisurely; you actually have the time to take it all in.

I love running outdoors come hail or high water! I am in Texas though and haven't seen either in months!

C25K question..I want to start my daughter on this program...she is almost ten and wants to run a 5K in Fall. My question is silly but this...how the HECK do I time it if I am running? I mean, I can't look at my watch the whole time and I hate holding things--like a timer. Are their belt clip timers and if so where do I find it?

As far as running indoors..I think I dislike it because the only place I can run indoors is the gym. Honestly the whole time I am running in there I can smell the odors sucking up inside my nose at each breath and it grosses me out.

Originally Posted by pandadawn:
I always get crap for this, but when it comes to running, INDOORS, please. No matter the distance.
I really don't mind running in ovals all day or sticking to a treadmill. It's mindless running.. and I like that, because it means I can think about other things! If I focus on my running I get so down and tired.
I love to go for walks outdoors, (I actually just did! I have some fresh flowers in a vase/cup to prove it :) ) but only because that's so leisurely; you actually have the time to take it all in.

I'm going to be one of the two odd ones out here! :) I used to like running outside because it was harder to just stop. For instance, in the gym, if I want to stop running, I just step off the machine. Outside, I can stop running, but I still have to walk home. (In the gym though, I have the added incentive of staying on because - in my crazy world - I think people will notice if I didn't stay on the entire 30 minutes. So I've yet to stop before 30 minutes, but the possibility still exists.)

But this was all back when I lived in the scenic countryside with the family. Now I live in a city, and no way would my husband allow me to run alone outside in our neighborhood. (And no way would he go with me. ;) ) To be honest, I'm not sure that I'd be all that comfortable doing it either.

The other benefit for me is that I can do lower impact running in the gym. I'm a bit paranoid about having joint problems as I age, and I don't think trading the elliptical machine for pavement is worth that risk.

And because we have no equipment at home and I weight train, I need to go to the gym for that anyway. So I'm with pandadawn on this one. I LOVE to go for walks (when I'm in an area that is safe to walk in), but I'll run indoors!

I like both, but I feel like I push myself harder on a treadmill because I can look down & see how far I have gone/am going. Maybe if I had one of those cool little gadgets that tracks my distance, I would feel differently. :) Also, I don't like running outside by myself for a few different reasons. If I have my bf or a friend to run with me, running outside is fun.

TEN? Running three miles?

Do some research. It strikes me as the kind of thing that might be okay if the kid wants to do it, but only at kid-led distance progression.

Thighs Be Gone, I just used my wrist watch. It wasn't really a problem at all for me.

Originally Posted by MariaMaria:
TEN? Running three miles?

I think it is ok. Two of my second cousins have been running 5Ks and they are both under 12. They come from a very athletic family and enjoy running.

I second that, my older son is nine and sometimes comes with me. He doesn't always finish the three miles but comes pretty close. It depends on the child, I think.

I'm torn! I love to run outside. But during the summer it is so hot and humid here that I can't quite take it.
I love to run on the treadmill when it's too hot outside!

Originally Posted by MariaMaria:
TEN? Running three miles?

Do some research. It strikes me as the kind of thing that might be okay if the kid wants to do it, but only at kid-led distance progression.

Um..yeah..TEN...and yes plenty of research done on my end...and I know plenty of kids that have done it at even younger ages..in fact we have a Track team starting at age 6....

p.s. Kid-Led Progression? Is that what you do with all your parenting--allow a child to lead it? Um, okay.

I have only just started running about 5 months ago and almost all my runs have been indoors. I run 3 ways in order of frequency: 1) my house (41 laps from back door-front door-back door = 1 mile), 2) indoor track at community center and 3) treadmill. I have done a few outdoor runs but that was before this record setting Texas summer got started. Once the outside temp is at a reasonable to me 70s, then I'll consider heading back outside again.
BTW - my next door neighbor simply runs in place. I don't know how you compute mileage from that and I need the forward motion, but whatever gets you moving should work!

I don't have a treadmill (nor do I want one) I'm happy running trails outdoors. Lucky enough to have some trails handy to where I live so it's easy for me.

Only thing I hate is when it rains and it's ridiculous trying to run trails in the wet so I don't bother, and go back to doing DVD workouts indoors. It really sucks when I've been looking forward to a good run all week and then it rains on the weekend BOTH DAYS :mad:

I run outside... treadmills drive me nuts and I get bored and stop watching my breathing.

I enjoy the varied terrain and feeling of adventure that comes with running outside. I run early in the morning before work as the city I live in (safe neighbourhood) is just starting to wake up. I enjoy watching the sky get lighter and reveal the commuters waiting at bus stops and old ladies having their coffee on the front porch.

When I first started running we lived in a pretty flat area so it was easy to get enthusiastic. Now we live in a hilly neighbourhood. That combined with my foot problems rearing their head again has left me less motivated but I love the feeling of being out there when it's all going well... and sometimes I see local animals too.

I just started running outside after working my way up to 2 miles on the treadmill, and, wow, what a difference! I love it so much more than just hopping away on the treadmill. I actually have a faster pace outside compared to the tm.

i do intervals inside but think it is much much easier to run outside if you are running a straight 3 miles. i have to be going somewhere if i'm going to run straight through, i die of boredom on the treadmill unless i am doing intervals.