Am I the only person who prefers running on the treadmill (and is it just because it's easier!)?

[peggotty]

I am a novice runner, been buliding up my running from 1 or 2 mins to my best so far of 25 minutes. I feel very proud of myself as I have never ran for 25 minutes in my entire life. Not even when I was a child! I have tried running outside once or twice and I hate it, and even worse, find it very difficult. Is treadmill running easier? I know some people find treadmill running really boring, but I don't - I have my i-pod and a view out of the gym window. I'm starting to feel my achievement of running is a bit denigrated as it's on the treadmill...

Brilliant achievment for you peggotty!

Treadmill running is easier as it's obviously flat surface, predictable and your movements become very efficient after a while so you will expend less energy. If you were running on uneven ground you will work harder as your movements adjust to the terrain/bumps on the ground/slight hills etc. You will need to keep pushing yourself to keep improving - add some short sprints etc?

If you like it and it's making you fitter, what does it matter that it's on a treadmill? Just enjoy it.

If you ever fancy a change, maybe try a running track if your local sports centre has one? still a nice smooth surface but would allow you to run outdoors and get the perception of have run an actual distance.

I'm doing the same thing. I like the treadmill - I think it may be easier/keep a steady pace and not go too fast/you haven't got to watch what you're stepping in or on/no cars tooting their horns at you/no teenagers laughing and singing 118 at you!!!

I tried C25K but found that my legs would ache like mad by halfway through, so have been building up my running (more like a jog!) minute by minute. I've been doing it for 4 weeks now and am up to 11 minutes. Still finding the last 3 or 4 really hard and have to push myself, but definitely finding the 1st 3 or 4 minutes easier than I did at the start. Being the wrong side of 40 and 2 stone overweight does not help .

Oh, me too! I hate running outdoors but am quite happy on the treadmill.

THank you anyfuleno, that's a good idea about finding a local running track, that would be worth a go, just to see if the flat surface would be easier! nbee, I think part of the reason i don't like running outside is other people! I've never had any comments or anything but I feel really put off and self concious running past anyone! I even get slightly put off if someone is running on the next treadmill to me in the gym which is a bit mad of me I realise....

I'm glad to hear I'm not alone llareggub. Will carry on the treadmill for now and when my stamina is improved will start to try and vary the speed etc a bit (I'm really just jogging at the moment, but 'running' sounds better doesn't it!?)

Well done peggotty.

I hate treadmill running with a passion. I just can't do it It gives me shin splints after about a mile yet I can do 5 on the roads. I feel like I'm quite tense on the treamill so I think that's what causes the problem - if affects my breathing and I can't get into a rhythm.

I am the opposite. The treadmill is too easy, of course it is. It moves your feet back for you, has no terrain challenge, no nature, no changing views, no weather etc. And I hate running next to somebody with a tinny, blaring ipod.

I am v lucky that I live on a farm in the middle of nowhere though so see nobody when I run which helps. But I love the discipline of learning to run in different temps and over changing terrain. It's so much harder and so much more of a challenge than running on an mechanically-aided strip of rubber.

Just my personal preference.

But, Peggotty, you're doing brilliantly. And I can see why you prefer it. And when it's raining, I'd definitely prefer a treadmill some days.

12 minutes today

Still can't imagine running for 30 mins or longer!

That's brilliant nbee! ONce I got to running for about 15 minutes, it was easy to push it to 25mins. Next week I'm going to go for 30 mins!

peggoty - treadmill running is regarded as "easier" because you are indoors without the outside elements affecting you (heat, wind, rain etc). Additionally, as you are stationary but moving your legs, there is no wind resistance/drag to slow you down and make you work harder. To factor all of this in, and make it less of a difference when you do venture out for a trot, you can adjust the incline. Most people say 1% is enough but I like to stick it on 2% to be sure it is worth it. Try it and let me know what you think! (unless of course you already do this?)

saggar It is possible that your stride is different on the treadmill causing shin splits, eg you may be overstriding causing extra impact and therefore shin splints. You could try focusing on your strides keeping them short and you torso as upright as possible and seeing if this helps. Also lower the speed until you have worked out what it is as running to keep up with the treadmill could simply be too much of a distraction for you preventing you from achieving good form.

I can't run to save myself (dreadful Achilles tendonitis and plantar fascitis).

If a treadmill suits you, stick with it!

I bought DP a treadill for his birthday. I use it 2-3 weeks and love it.

I do more brisk walking than actual running. I like it because it is in my garage where no-one can see my arse wobbling around. I have a degree of control over my environment. I feel the treadmill "pushes" me harder than I would push myself on teh road - becaue I have to mannually slow it down and then I get the guilt. On the roads I would just gradually slow without realising I am doing it.

Most of all.....I can stand and watch telly. Since we have hooked up a TV in the garage I have gone from struggling to do 25 minute sessions to a full hour (as long as there is something on the box to watch).

peggoty I'm with you - much prefer the treadmill. Have been doing the c25k and now up to 25mins which for me is amazing as I've only ever done a maximum of 20 mins and that was pre-kids when I was much fitter. I'm very slow though - jogging at 8k p/h. Once I can comfortably do 30 mins I will try and up the pace. I noticed that on the treadmill I can regulate my breathing more easily - maybe because it is more predictable.

Peggoty - I think you are doing brilliantly and would say that if it treadmill works for you then stick with it.

I do both treadmill and outdoor running and think each has its place. While I don't personally think treadmill running works smaller muscles and hones one's sense of balance quite as much as an outdoor session, I find that the treadmill can give an excellent cardiovascular work out, in part because the surrounding environment is generally hotter than outside (due to the lack of air flow) so the heart has to work harder in order not only to supply the muscles with blood but to also keep the skin cool, and in part because it lessens the danger of stumbling, so allowing you to concentrate on running as far/fast as you can (you also just can't slack on a treadmill without falling off the back!) I also think that, if you run without listening to an iPod/watching TV, treadmill training can really harden you up psychologically as you have less to distract you from the pain!

I think a lot can be achieved through treadmill. When I first started running, for example, all my training was done on a treadmill and from that I clocked 42:17 for 10km (outside) in my first ever competition. I now do a mix, with speed sessions being done on the treadmill and recovery and long runs on the road (am training for a marathon and simply could not bear to run 15 miles on a treadmill because of the boredom factor).

nbee84 - could I be cheeky and make a suggestion? If you want to run for, say, 15 minutes in one go then another way of achieving it might to be run for, say, 8 minutes, then to walk for 2 minutes and then to run for another 8. Once you can do this comfortably, you can then cut the 2 minutes down to 1 and then out altogether and then - hey presto - you can run for a quarter of an hour nonstop. It works for me anyway!

i am running on a treadmill though i do find it very boring.

am off for an outdoor run next tuesday. ill see how different it is.

redqueen - that's a seriously fantastic 10k time, esp 1st time am , well done you! Shows what treadmills can do , don't make me quite that fast though!
i agree they have their place - esp for speedwork, hill work, bad weather, injury etc etc. Best to be on a good, powerful one though and push yourself. don't really see the point of walking on one while watching tv,personally - better exercise probably to walk outside...