Treadmill Love it or hate it (Page 2)

Not sure I'd say I love the treadmill, but I just put in another 2 hours on one that didn't drive me completely crazy.

Wednesday it as 68 degress in KC. I didn't realize it was going to be that nice so I didn't pack my normal outdoor stuff  - 305, sunglasses, hat. I just went out and ran. That I loved.

Which is just fine!  Raced a half marathon this morning in shorts and Under Armour cold gear top in the 30 range ..... with wind.

(Oh, and welcome to BT!)

Used to run on a treadmill all the time and it did not bother me at all. 2 years ago changed that when spending all winter on one, plus cross country skiing and then changing to outdoors I ended up with a nice stress fracture of the sacrum. Doctor said treadmill was easy on the frame as was skiing and when going back to running on blacktop and concrete it was to much. I did not give myself the time needed to make the adaptations to a harder surface. So now I avoid it at all costs. Just use one when I absolutely have to.

Like a few others, I can't say I love it or hate it.  It does have its benefits, like...

I can still get in a run at a convenient or desirable time if my wife is gone and I have to watch the kids

It's pitch dark outside

It's snowing...like today

I want to accomplish a specific training goal without having to deal with the incessant hills in my neighborhood

That being said, it is much more rewarding to run outside to me.  When I get back, I feel motivated about the distance I ran more than I do on the treadmill.  Nevertheless, in the winter, there is no question I can get in more miles with the treadmill than without, even though I haven't really been wearing it out this winter!  I don't find it boring if I watch TV while doing it.  I have a set of wireless headphones I can use while I am running and if my kids are watching a show with me, I get half credit for spending time with the family so I can take my long bike rides without guilt later in the week.

Neccesary evil, but I avoid it when I can.  In the cold I still run outside, but ice is a different animal.

The more that I run (3 years now), the less I like it. We have an olympic speed skating facility here in town, so when the weather or trail/road conditions don't allow outside runs, I go there to run ou the track outside of the ice track. The treadmill seems to have negative effects on my already poor stride as well. I by far prefer running outside. I have become much more tolerant of weather, where it used to have to be 70 degrees and sunny to run (I live in Wisconsin)now I quite enjoy when it is 20 degrees outside. It's nice and crisp, and you don't get hot. I have gone in very light drizzle, which wasn't terribly exciting, but it was also 50 degrees out. 70 and a little rain wouldn't be so bad. I cant even imagine 20 miles. I did 9 once, and that was only remotely tolerable because I had a decent movie on.

Mark

Holy long runs on a treadmill Batman!  That takes mental toughness to a whole new level, IMHO!  I would go nucking futs.  10K max for me... I use the treadmill as a last resort...if the weather is just too unmanagable outside.

I double dog dare you to run a marathon on that bad boy.  Good luck with that and I am glad it works for ya.  I'll be outside running...