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For years, I’ve expressed to my wife that I have absolutely no interest in running organized races. Well, I’ve changed my mind. I figured it would be good for me if I had some goals or something to train for. Thinking that it would be good for both of us, I asked JD if he wanted to run a race with me. Of course, he said yes, so as of yesterday, we’ve signed on for the ORCC Up the Lazy River 10K run on Monday, May26th. I’m a little worried about the race because I do most of my training on the treadmill and this race is definitely on the roads in West Linn, OR.
Last week, while in Sacramento, Pam and I ran outside two times. These were my first two non-treadmill runs since Hawaii. They weren’t very far, under 6 miles total, but boy was I sore. My mother in law gave me some pretty funny looks as I limped around the house on the days right after the runs.
Then on Sunday, I went for 6 mile run on the roads around my house. The weather was perfect for running–Breezy, sunny, in the 60’s. The route I chose was pretty hilly, much more hilly than the race that JD and I will be running together. I completed the 6 mile loop in 1 hour and 2 minutes. This was the longest distance I’ve ever run at one time in my life. I’m still sore.
I wanted to do some research as to why running on the treadmill is so much harder than running on the road, but it seems that not everyone agrees with me. Some people say treadmill running is easier than road running, some say it’s harder. There’s definitely not a consensus out there among runners. All I know is that it’s harder for me to run outside than it is inside. If I want to finish my 10K in under an hour then I need to do some more of my training runs outside.
J.D.
8 responses so far ↓
1 grimsaburger // May 9, 2008 at 6:17 am
I started running on a treadmill, and when I’d worked up to a 2-mile distance, I finally went outside. It was much more difficult than the treadmill.
But then I started running more often outside than on the treadmill, and now I find treadmill running more difficult, especially over ~3-mile distances.
Who knows. I suspect it’s just a matter of getting your muscles used to working in a certain way. I feel out of control on the treadmill when I do regular runs, especially since I can’t make those little variations in pace that help me complete longer distances. So now I only use it for 15-minute walking breaks throughout the day, and shorter-distance speed work to keep inching my 10k time closer to the hour mark (or below, hopefully!)
2 ms // May 9, 2008 at 8:15 am
I’ve always heard advice to usea 1% incline on a treadmill to approximate the difficulty of a flat run outdoors. I have no idea how accurate this is, but it seems to work reasonably well.
It makes sense that outdoor running would be harder, though. On a treadmill, you’re only really moving your legs to keep up with the track, while in outdoor running, you’re moving your entire weight forward with each step.
On the mental side, I find it a lot easier to run outside, just because of the mental stimulation of the scenery. I sometimes run farther than I’ve planned when I go to a new trail for the first time, just out of wanting to see what’s around the next bend (and the next, and the next…)
Also, if you can do 1 hr, 2 min in practice, you should nail the 1 hour goal pretty handily. Race day excitement tends to shave a little time off, just be careful not to start too fast.
3 Philip // May 9, 2008 at 8:44 am
Racing on memorial day weekend, I guess no bar-b-que for you that weekend then!
4 Red // May 9, 2008 at 9:05 am
Six miles is a long damn way. Biking the 20 miles to work and back is enough for me and that’s way easier than running six miles.
5 JosephG // May 9, 2008 at 9:16 am
Good luck with the 10K! There is a little secret called race day adrenaline that makes one run faster. Find some others that are shooting for sub 1 hr and work together. DON’T GO OUT TOO FAST!!!
On the soreness front: I went to my first yoga class last night…I feel you pain.
6 Andrew is getting fit // May 9, 2008 at 3:00 pm
For me the treadmill is definitely easier.
7 alex // May 10, 2008 at 5:05 pm
I agree that it depends on which you are used to. I think that the treadmill is way harder because it absorbs so much impact, meaning you have to push off a lot more to move forward. That’s why I’ve been having knee problems.
You should try that poster’s tip of using the 1% incline and see if that makes a difference the next time you run outside.
8 monica // May 10, 2008 at 10:22 pm
Ditto on the 1% incline thing. Treadmill is way easier for me. When I run outside, I try to stick to soft ground (grass, crushed granite, etc) which is even harder than the pavement. I feel your pain!
Good luck with the 10k. I think you’ll enjoy it. There’s a certain energy at these races that’s really special. It certainly makes running more fun. You may find yourself hooked!
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