Treadmill v Outside
Discussion
Back in Covid days I started the Couch to 5k out in my local park. I was 57.
The horror of having to run for a minute before the relief of walking for 90 secs
Anyway at the end of 9 weeks I was running non stop for 30 mins and enjoying it. Started getting the 5k down to a regular 28/27 minutes.
Then my knee started playing up, then my hip.
I also loved long walks and the injuries were interfering with that. So I stopped running and just did exercises to strengthen my legs.
Last autumn I joined a gym and started the Couch to 5k on the treadmill as well as using weight machines and free weights.
I took it slower this time and repeated weeks but by Christmas I was running 5k in 28 mins. Now 63 years old.
Tend to go every other day and the times are now 26/27 minutes. I have even managed a couple of 10ks over the past couple of weeks. 56mins for the last one.
So today I decided to go back to the park. A fast 5 min warm up walk, my stretches then start the stopwatch.
It was horrible, so much harder and I literally felt that was only shuffling. After only 2 mins I had to slow to a walk.
I completed the 5k walking/running/walking and even managed to speed up for the last 100 metres
33 minutes dead. Surprised me as I did walk a lot but I was absolutely knackered and found it really hard going.
Shame, as I stupidly thought that the treadmill had got me into running but the park defeated me.
Having to stop and just walk after only 2 minutes is shameful but I did feel that my heart and lungs were going to pop.
Is this a usual problem? Cheers.
The horror of having to run for a minute before the relief of walking for 90 secs
Anyway at the end of 9 weeks I was running non stop for 30 mins and enjoying it. Started getting the 5k down to a regular 28/27 minutes.
Then my knee started playing up, then my hip.
I also loved long walks and the injuries were interfering with that. So I stopped running and just did exercises to strengthen my legs.
Last autumn I joined a gym and started the Couch to 5k on the treadmill as well as using weight machines and free weights.
I took it slower this time and repeated weeks but by Christmas I was running 5k in 28 mins. Now 63 years old.
Tend to go every other day and the times are now 26/27 minutes. I have even managed a couple of 10ks over the past couple of weeks. 56mins for the last one.
So today I decided to go back to the park. A fast 5 min warm up walk, my stretches then start the stopwatch.
It was horrible, so much harder and I literally felt that was only shuffling. After only 2 mins I had to slow to a walk.
I completed the 5k walking/running/walking and even managed to speed up for the last 100 metres
33 minutes dead. Surprised me as I did walk a lot but I was absolutely knackered and found it really hard going.
Shame, as I stupidly thought that the treadmill had got me into running but the park defeated me.
Having to stop and just walk after only 2 minutes is shameful but I did feel that my heart and lungs were going to pop.
Is this a usual problem? Cheers.
I find running outside much more difficult. I also have a treadmill at home and it's much easier to run on that than it is on one in the gym. I have no idea why, but not all treadmills are made equal I suspect.
Outside you have hills, the weather, you have to look where you're stepping and you can't really just zone out. It's very odd, but it's not just you.
Outside you have hills, the weather, you have to look where you're stepping and you can't really just zone out. It's very odd, but it's not just you.
Hey,
A few things - firstly a time of 33 minutes for what you did is absolutely something to be proud of. Especially for someone who isn't in their 20s or 30s! Don't forget that the majority of our population can't run (or run/walk) a 5k at all.
Secondly, the treadmill works by pulling the belt below you, so the physical exertion and impact is far less to you, as well as the platform being consistent, with no lumps, bumps, no inclines. You don't have to really propel yourself forward like you do outside, and your core doesn't work as hard, your lungs aren't as tested.
Thirdly, I can almost guarantee it that your pacing is off when running outside. You're very likely running too hard and too fast. When we talk about running slow, people say "you should run really slow... no - even slower than that... and EVEN slower again". Basically to the point that you think this is ridiculous.
Lastly - there is nothing wrong wtih run/walking. I have an Ironman in 6 weeks and apart from a couple of mid-week runs, I do a run walk allt he time. My long runs on the weekend are done by running 9 minutes and walking 1 minute. I do them very slowly. Focusing on form, slow breathing, trying to stay relaxed
Extra lastly....
--- You may be overthinking it and a bit paranoid now
--- You may as a result but tensed up and just a bit too aware of things
A few things - firstly a time of 33 minutes for what you did is absolutely something to be proud of. Especially for someone who isn't in their 20s or 30s! Don't forget that the majority of our population can't run (or run/walk) a 5k at all.
Secondly, the treadmill works by pulling the belt below you, so the physical exertion and impact is far less to you, as well as the platform being consistent, with no lumps, bumps, no inclines. You don't have to really propel yourself forward like you do outside, and your core doesn't work as hard, your lungs aren't as tested.
Thirdly, I can almost guarantee it that your pacing is off when running outside. You're very likely running too hard and too fast. When we talk about running slow, people say "you should run really slow... no - even slower than that... and EVEN slower again". Basically to the point that you think this is ridiculous.
Lastly - there is nothing wrong wtih run/walking. I have an Ironman in 6 weeks and apart from a couple of mid-week runs, I do a run walk allt he time. My long runs on the weekend are done by running 9 minutes and walking 1 minute. I do them very slowly. Focusing on form, slow breathing, trying to stay relaxed
Extra lastly....
--- You may be overthinking it and a bit paranoid now
--- You may as a result but tensed up and just a bit too aware of things
I use a trainer mounted bike and Zwift for rainy windy conditions but for running I JFDI outside whatever the weather.
I think running outside and especially on trails increases the risk of one off injury like flipping an ankle but I'd hazard a guess that the variability of outside would build a lot more biomechanical resilience than treadmill.
There are multiple other benefits from getting out in the sunshine (or at least natural daylight) and nature as well.
Nothing wrong with run/walk. I think it's a bit of a secret weapon for us over 60s.
I think running outside and especially on trails increases the risk of one off injury like flipping an ankle but I'd hazard a guess that the variability of outside would build a lot more biomechanical resilience than treadmill.
There are multiple other benefits from getting out in the sunshine (or at least natural daylight) and nature as well.
Nothing wrong with run/walk. I think it's a bit of a secret weapon for us over 60s.
I hate treadmills, I'm bored stiff after about a km, I'd much rather potter along outside listening to the birdsong and admiring the flowers.
Agree with the comment about pacing, if you have a running watch, see if it has a "Virtual Pacer" (Garmin's name for it but others have similar) feature that lets you put in a target pace and then tells you how far ahead of behind of that pace you are. Much easier than than trying to use an average pace for the run so far. You can also program many of them with a run walk plan so you can be consistent in the intervals, and gradually increase the running bit every week.
Also worth looking up your local parkrun, I find running with other people is a great motivator, and you can usually find someone at about your speed to use as a pacer. There will always be people run/waking and several walkers so no issue doing a run walk plan.
If you're finding you have knee/joint issues then try running cross country, I find an uneven but softer surface a lot gentler on the knees than running on tarmac.
Agree with the comment about pacing, if you have a running watch, see if it has a "Virtual Pacer" (Garmin's name for it but others have similar) feature that lets you put in a target pace and then tells you how far ahead of behind of that pace you are. Much easier than than trying to use an average pace for the run so far. You can also program many of them with a run walk plan so you can be consistent in the intervals, and gradually increase the running bit every week.
Also worth looking up your local parkrun, I find running with other people is a great motivator, and you can usually find someone at about your speed to use as a pacer. There will always be people run/waking and several walkers so no issue doing a run walk plan.
If you're finding you have knee/joint issues then try running cross country, I find an uneven but softer surface a lot gentler on the knees than running on tarmac.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 4th May 09:26
Firstly, well done for getting back into it. I really need to do the same. Real ground is a lot harder and less consistent than the deck of a treadmill, so you might be tensing up more. (What state are you shoes in?) And the "blowing yourself up" thing and needing to rein yourself in is very, very real. Years ago when I first started running I bought a heart rate monitor after a few months because I like gadgets and was amazed by how much it was telling me to slow down. It transformed my endurance.
RizzoTheRat said:
I hate treadmills, I'm bored stiff after about a km, I'd much rather potter along outside listening to the birdsong and admiring the flowers.
Agree with the comment about pacing, if you have a running watch, see if it has a "Virtual Pacer" (Garmin's name for it but others have similar) feature that lets you put in a target pace and then tells you how far ahead of behind of that pace you are. Much easier than than trying to use an average pace for the run so far. You can also program many of them with a run walk plan so you can be consistent in the intervals, and gradually increase the running bit every week.
Also worth looking up your local parkrun, I find running with other people is a great motivator, and you can usually find someone at about your speed to use as a pacer. There will always be people run/waking and several walkers so no issue doing a run walk plan.
If you're finding you have knee/joint issues then try running cross country, I find an uneven but softer surface a lot gentler on the knees than running on tarmac.
have you thought of a long walk through country ? Agree with the comment about pacing, if you have a running watch, see if it has a "Virtual Pacer" (Garmin's name for it but others have similar) feature that lets you put in a target pace and then tells you how far ahead of behind of that pace you are. Much easier than than trying to use an average pace for the run so far. You can also program many of them with a run walk plan so you can be consistent in the intervals, and gradually increase the running bit every week.
Also worth looking up your local parkrun, I find running with other people is a great motivator, and you can usually find someone at about your speed to use as a pacer. There will always be people run/waking and several walkers so no issue doing a run walk plan.
If you're finding you have knee/joint issues then try running cross country, I find an uneven but softer surface a lot gentler on the knees than running on tarmac.
Edited by RizzoTheRat on Monday 4th May 09:26
we did a fitbit challenge to cover the 100k badge ,
covered 52 miles at a brisk walking pace in roughly 22 hrs
Haha, I did wonder.
I tried that Fartlek video yesterday. Put my phone up on the running machine and picked the upper limit.
Have to say thanks for all the helpful input from everyone, cheers.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced watch that shows speed/pace etc? Ta.
I tried that Fartlek video yesterday. Put my phone up on the running machine and picked the upper limit.
Have to say thanks for all the helpful input from everyone, cheers.
Any suggestions for a reasonably priced watch that shows speed/pace etc? Ta.
Edited by croyde on Monday 4th May 13:26
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