Treadmill Running

[rocknrollgirl]

I was wondering how many of you run on a treadmill by choice. What I mean by that is that you are using it not just to escape cold weather and bad roads.

The reason I am asking it that many of the people that I know, very good athletes, very well schooled athletes use a treadmill by choice because they feel it is easier on your joints.

The track coach at my school, who coaches National Champs, says that he thinks it is harder on your joints.

I researched on the internet and could not get solid data either way.

So, I was wondering what all of you think.

Thanks in advance,

Ruth

[silver]

Hmmm, don't know if any of this anwers your questions:

I run on a treadmill when the weather is cold and or nasty (below 40 degrees is my personal preference for a shorter training run) or if it's at night.

I think that running on a treadmill is easier and is softer than roads.

After I recovered from a heel bone stress fracture, The orthopedic doctor instructed me to run on the treadmill first because it would be a more gentle transistion. The following year, I had spent the entire winter running on the treadmill and then had some really nice weather and run the entire week outside. I ended up with another foot bone fracture from the drastic transistion (could have been other mitigating fractures).

any help?

however, I would prefer to be on the roads....I would rather pull my eyelashes out than do a 6 mile + ride on the treadmill. I wouldn't pass up good weather outside to run inside unless it was another situation like I was in before of going form all miles inside to all miles outside.

[emily_in_nc]

I run on the treadmill more than on the road, I guess you could say semi-by-choice. I full admit to being a weather-weenie as I don't enjoy running in either cold (anything below ~45F), rainy, or extremely humid or hot (anything above 80F especially if sunny) weather, which leaves a small window of where I feel really comfortable running outdoors. If I lived in the SW where it wasn't so humid, I'd probably run outside more ("it's not the heat, it's the humidity"). I also often choose the treadmill because I run during the week at the work gym at my lunchtime, and it's quicker and easier just to hit the treadmill than have to worry about the weather outdoors and bringing various layers of clothes -- I can just bring a singlet and running shorts for the gym, which is always 68F, a perfect running temp for me.

When the weather is nice, nothing beats a trail run, but I don't really enjoy running on the road with cars passing.

[michelem]

Well, for me it is both. With my weekday work schedule, and my refusal to run in the dark, the treadmill becomes a necessary evil during the winter months. Sometimes during the summer months too, when it is too darned hot to run outdoors when the sun is out (too hot for me, while running, is over 90).

However, I have not gotten the hang of speedwork or tempo runs outdoors. I just don't know how to get the pacing right. So, I always do speedwork and tempo runs on the treadmill. This way I can control the mph and know how fast I'm running.

The ONLY time I've used the treadmill for long runs (over 10 miles) is when the weather has been nasty (pouring rain and/or high winds). The worst was a 20 mile run on the treadmill. I thought I'd die. But, it made 20 outdoors feel wonderful after that!

P.S. I don't know about the "easier on the joints" thing. In fact, I find I usually hurt more after doing a very long run on the treadmill rather than on the roads. Also, at least at my gym, there is no downhill option, so if you're trying to prepare for a hilly race, your body will not be prepared for the incredible joint pounding of downhills.

[Jolt]

Yuck. I do NOT like the treadmill but do sometimes use it when weather/road conditions aren't conducive to running outside. I also feel it throws off my form. Anyone else feel like they run differently on the treadmill than outside? When I have to run indoors I often use the track instead of the treadmill and alternate directions every few minutes if possible (but even that tight little track seems to make it harder to run normally).

[Susan Otcenas]

I did 5 miles on the treadmill at the gym this morning by choice. I prefer to run outside, but try to run on the treadmill one day per week. The reason is that I'm trying to work up to running faster, and by running on the treadmill I can "force" a particular pace on myself. Outside, I honestly have no idea what pace I'm doing. By forcing a certain pace on myself once a week on the treadmill, I'm hoping that I can get myself to adapt to that pace naturally outside as well.

I don't know if it's really working or not, but so far I *feel* like it's working... At some point I'll have to measure an outside course, time myself, then do the same distance on the treadmill and see how the time compares.

Susan

[Veronica]

I run on the treadmill because I think it's making me faster outside since I can force a certain pace. Plus I like watching the numbers. I can focus on elapsed time or distance and ignore that I want to hurl

I'd still rather run outside though. And I do think outside is easier on my joints. But I have no evidence to prove that.

Veronica

[Susan Otcenas]

Veronica, are we channeling each other?

[Veronica]

Probably.

[Kelly728]

The treadmill becomes more of a regular thing for me in the winter, darkness pushes me indoors for my weekday runs. On the weekends, you'll only see me on the TM if there is ice on the ground! I get so so bored!

I think each affects my joints differently. On the road/sidewalk I have more discomfort in my ankles from the pounding on the hard surface. On the TM my hip issues flare up because I tend to run pretty awkwardly on the TM.

[katluvr]

Treadmill = TM = Torture Machine

I do the TM for speed workouts. Thus the torture! So I can do speed work, intervals, etc. at a set pace. But it is HOT, boring & torturous. (OK, my opinion).
Occassionally use it for bad weather...but I live in Florida, so it is rare.

With my Gamin I can do some interval speed work outside, if the intervals ar the same time--but have to keep a close eye on the watch (for pace) and find myself not steady.

[OakLeaf]

With my Gamin I can do some interval speed work outside, if the intervals ar the same time--but have to keep a close eye on the watch (for pace) and find myself not steady.

You can set the Garmin to alarm if you go above or below your desired pace during the interval (or you can set HR alarms, for either the intervals or the recovery segments). There's a considerable amount of pace error, so you can't really set the ranges too narrow (or if you do, you can't put too much stock in the alarm the first time it goes off), but you don't have to look at the watch. If you use the Garmin you don't have to count the intervals, either.

Just did intervals with my Garmin this morning, actually. Not that I'd run on a treadmill if no one was threatening me with serious bodily harm if I didn't... but the TMs in my gym can't be programmed with intervals, anyhow.

[Deborajen]

I usually prefer to run outside - for the varying scenery, fresh air, etc. On the other hand, running on the treadmill allows me the chance to listen to music and not worry about what's going on around me, (like traffic), plus I can still run during bad weather & when it's dark outside.

As far as which one is easier on the joints, I seem to have more odd "owies" after running on the treadmill. The treadmill is a moving surface, so it's a little less natural. I'll bet it varies depending on stride patterns, proper shoes, etc., but I'd also be willing to bet that even though you do take a pounding with road running, the treadmill can have some bigger disadvantages because of the surface movement.

That's my not-so-scientific guess.

Deb

[yellow]

The trail runner's perspective (since I pretty much don't run on pavement)...

The biggest "problem" I see with the treadmill is related to the tendency to not vary stride, foot placement, weight distribtion, and the like. Now if you run on the road and always run on what I call a "reliable" surface, this is probably not a big deal (or no deal at all) because it probably allows you to fine-tune your form and efficiency. However, I find that (for myself) running on a traditional treadmill can be good exercise, but that it's no substitute for running on the trail in terms of balance, lateral movement, and form.

I think what a treadmill can/can't do for you depends on your running goals. And I think that not all treadmills are created equal (some decks are cusheir than others). I've gotten really sore running on a treadmill from what I interpret to be repetitive, non-varying movement. But then I've gotten really sore from running down 25% slopes, too.

[roadie gal]

I run on the treadmill in the winter, but I also run on it on days when I'm not sure how much energy I have. If I have my doubts that I can make it for my "goal time" I'll get on the treadmill. That way, if I can't make it, I don't have to walk home. I just get off of the treadmill.