running outside makes treadmill seem . . . weak.

I'm sore in my legs again like after my first day on treadmill HIIT.

I did the same # of sprints in the neighborhood yesterday and boy are my legs tired.

OTOH, the treadmill really tightened up my midsection through the HIIT, and when outside I only felt in my legs.

Either way, I'm just blabbing because i hate running outside where there is always a chance of a stray dog. I want to run because I want to, not because I HAVE to.

huh.  stray dogs are one of the things i like best about running outside .

I actually get a better workout from the treadmill, 'cause I can set it at a little bit of an incline.  No hilly terrain where I live.

But that's ok, because if I run outside, there's the risk of running into a redneck coming off an all-night moonshine bender.

*looks around*

Do you hear banjo music?

Original Post by sharpshootinstar:

I actually get a better workout from the treadmill, 'cause I can set it at a little bit of an incline.  No hilly terrain where I live.

But that's ok, because if I run outside, there's the risk of running into a redneck coming off an all-night moonshine bender.

*looks around*

Do you hear banjo music?

 in atlanta the flat spots are few and far between!

i prefer treadmill becasue (well, first of all, the dogs) it works the midsection more than the legs. I have a lower leg workout for the legs, but the midsection only gets a great workout from running on treadmill.

Actually, I found running outside not only increased my mileage, but also improved my time. I used to struggle between 6.5-7.0 at 3.0 incline on the treadmill for 30-45 mins. Now, I run (outside) with a 7 min mile and can keep it up for six miles. It's kinda hard, but actually I am surprised at how well I can do that.

The treadmill always seems to feel like its going faster than what I run outside. Makes no sense at all. And since I not only increased my mileage, but my speed, I seriously have the best abs I have had in only jebus knows how long.

It's going to be very sad when winter hits the midwest. I refuse to embrass myself by slipping on ice and undoubtably cracking my head open.

Great mental picture right?

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

 in atlanta the flat spots are few and far between!

i prefer treadmill becasue (well, first of all, the dogs) it works the midsection more than the legs. I have a lower leg workout for the legs, but the midsection only gets a great workout from running on treadmill.

How does the treadmill work your midsection more than running outside?  

Part of the dealio with treadmills is you have to set the incline to compensate for the the machine doing some of the work for you.  Other than that, your running form should be the same.

I like the treadmill because it allows me to control my heart race precisely, and it is a softer surface to run on.

Other than that, there's nothing quite like the hills and heat of Atlanta....

I don't know, but it does. I can feel it tighten all the way up on treadmill. Running outside I only felt in my legs.

I can't explain why, I can only report how it is.

my guess is that treadmill is more about scissoring legs to keep up, involving more midsection, and running is more about powering legs to move you forward, so those muscles get used more. maybe the step is different. I don't know, but its true.

I like the treadmill because I can time my sprints and rests properly instead of guessing.

I prefer the treadmill to the out-of-doors because I burn easily and have mad wicked outdoor allergies.  Unfortunately I have no access to a treadmill over the summer so sun burn, runny nose, itchy eyes and closed up throat here I come.

p.s. And yes, all that happens even with sun screen and otc allergy meds.

Your legs probably hurt because running on pavement is WAY harder of an impact than running on a treadmill, But I do think that running outside is a better workout.  You have to stabilize your bady on the uneven surfaces, there are hills, there's wind.... I just think outside running gives you a better workout.  But I can't run outside anymore because I had a stress fracture in my hip and my doctor banned it for life.  Treadmills only.

sharpshootinstar, you must be from my town...

How do you manage to stay on the treadmill for 30-45 mins? It's SO boring I could fall asleep! ...If my body would just keep walking while I slept.

Seriously, what do you guys use for entertainment? I tried TV and iPod... dunno what else to try. Even 15 minutes feels like FOREVER.

@cptbunny:

You prolly are running on the treadmill so reading might not work for you, but I read (past tense) my animation textbooks while on the treadmill-4mph 10deg incline.  Being confined to the treadmill forced me to focus on my required readings lol.  After the class was over I read magazines.  It made the time fly by, more or less.  You've just got to focus on something else besides the treadmill.

Reading while walking (I can't run yet lol ) seems like it'd make for a good slip and fall on my face while sliding down the treadmill to the floor with my dog staring at me the entire time...

I'm extremely clumsy, but... I think I'm going to try it, with magazines (less reading and more pictures to look at instead maybe). I can't believe you were able to read going at 4mph at that incline! Holy crap! I walk my fastest at 3 with no incline and sometimes I can't keep up and have to lower it to 2.8. I feel so... weak now, haha, I hope you're tall and take big steps so I can feel better, hehe. I'm 5'4".

Running outside is much harder than the treadmill because of the impact on the joints, especially if your 200lbs plus.  I find the treadmill extremely tedious!  I can't run for longer than 20mins on a treadmill because I get bored!

I watch movies while I run on the treadmill. It's really the only time I can catch up on DVD series or new releases. If the show is really good, i forget I'm running. Sometimes I'll run longer because I want to finish a movie or show.

I love it! 

My treadmill is also in the basement, where it stays cool in the summer but not too cold in the winter. And I have absolute privacy. No fear of being hit by a car or crushing my joints. Or of being kidnapped by a gang of masked bandits that screech up to me in a white cargo van... hm...my imagination is a bit extreme this evening.

I like the treadmill. I live in the tropics, so it's hot and humid and there's always a good chance of a thunderstorm, no matter what the weather was like when I set out. Some of the local men also tend to act very sleazily toward female runners, which is another good reason to stay in my gym! I also have bad knees, and the treadmill gives them an easier time.

I don't really have a problem with boredom. I watch tv or I zone out and think my own thoughts. Time just goes when I'm running. Either that or my boyfriend runs next to me and I run like crazy because we try to out-do each other. That also makes the time go fast!

Original Post by littlesimongeorge:

Running outside is much harder than the treadmill because of the impact on the joints, especially if your 200lbs plus.  

Its really hard on the joints even if you're 100 pounds

so, I was back to the treadmill today.

I have shin splints now?! My shins hurt when I run! This didn't happen before I ran outside. :( They feel bruised. It was worst on the first sprint, then I could feel it, but it wasn't bad - but towards the end it started affecting my form so I stopped.

So, how long do I have to wait to run again?! :( I was so happy to be back in the gym!!

Original Post by bsh0611:

sharpshootinstar, you must be from my town...

 We should run together, I bet we could take down one drunken redneck.

Original Post by cptbunny:

Seriously, what do you guys use for entertainment? I tried TV and iPod... dunno what else to try. Even 15 minutes feels like FOREVER.

 I'm constantly on the hunt for new music to listen to while i'm running. if i get something with a good beat that gets me going i almost forget i'm running & it kind of feels like dancing lol (a little weird, i know). my current favorites are Eminem, Lose Yourself - Salt n' Peppa, Push It - Cascada, Because the Night. Generally techno or hip hop get me moving.

i think i'm going to try running outside tonight if the weather stays nice enough. i haven't ever done it before. i'm nervous about not really knowing where to go/not know how far i've gone. do you guys just take off in any direction or do you have a predetermined route planned out?

Original Post by crazydiamondchrysalis:

so, I was back to the treadmill today.

I have shin splints now?! My shins hurt when I run! This didn't happen before I ran outside. :( They feel bruised. It was worst on the first sprint, then I could feel it, but it wasn't bad - but towards the end it started affecting my form so I stopped.

So, how long do I have to wait to run again?! :( I was so happy to be back in the gym!!

if you have an exercise ball, sit on a bench or chair and put your legs straight out in front of you with knees relaxed and rest the ball on your shoelaces. extend your arms with your hands on top of the ball. curl your toes toward you as you push down on the ball with your hands. the ball will roll up on your toes. relax. repreat. it helps prevent and take the edge off the shin splints.